If you’ve always wanted soft, luscious locks like those you see in hair product advertisements, look no further! There are many things you can do to improve your hair health and maximize hair growth to achieve the locks you’ve always wanted. You will need to find the right hair care products for your needs, practice healthy habits, and consume adequate amounts of the essential nutrients for hair growth and strength. Below, we have covered our top tips for taking care of your hair and getting those ever-desirable luscious locks!
Use the Right Hair Care Products
Although many hair care products look the same, there are subtle differences between different brands and product lines. For example, similar-looking products might have different ingredients that are suitable for unique needs. You might need to do some trial and error to find the best products for healthy hair based on your personal needs and preferences. You may also need to learn about the way your hair responds to specific ingredients, so you know which ones to look out for and which to avoid.
Many brands specify which of their products work best on which hair types, which include normal, dry, oily, straight, coiled, and curly. It’s important to consider your hair type when choosing suitable products. If you have flat, straight hair, you might want to go for a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. If you have dry, coiled hair, moisturizing products will help to keep your hair hydrated. Whatever product you choose your goal is luscious locks.
Avoid Over-Washing Your Hair
Washing your hair excessively can strip away its natural oils and cause unnecessary damage to the hair follicles. Aim to wash your hair around two to three times a week and no more than this if you can. You might find that if you’re used to washing your hair every day when you start to wean down the number of times you wash it during the week, your hair gets greasy after a day or two or no washing it. However, the more you leave your hair alone and wash it just a few times a week, the less greasy it will get with prolonged periods of not being washed.
Consume a Healthy, Nutrient-Dense Diet
Without the right nutrients, your hair won’t grow or stay healthy. The most important nutrients for hair growth are the following.
Protein
Your hair is made out of a protein called keratin, which accounts for 80-85% of it. Consuming dietary protein provides your body with the amino acids it needs to build new hair strands and ensure they are strong. Protein is high in meat, fish, dairy, and soy products like tofu and tempeh.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A aids hair growth and sebum production. Sebum moisturizes the scalp and reduces the risk of split ends and breakages. Red, orange, and yellow foods tend to be high in vitamin A, so fill your plates with peppers, carrots, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.
Vitamin C
Your body needs vitamin C to synthesize collagen, a protein that provides your hair with strength and reduces the chance of breakages. To consume plenty of vitamin C, incorporate citrus fruits, kiwis, strawberries, peppers, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli.
Vitamin E
As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin E can reduce oxidative stress on the scalp and promote hair growth. Vitamin E is abundant in almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, spinach, Swiss chard, and butternut squash.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce inflammation and enhance blood flow to the scalp, supporting hair growth and strength. Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids include oily fish, avocados, nuts, seeds, and plant oils.
Zinc
Zinc is required to synthesize DNA within the hair follicles, enabling them to divide and grow. Zinc is high in many animal-based products, including oysters, crab, lobster, beef, and pork. However, if you’re vegetarian or vegan, you can get small amounts of zinc in your diet by eating chickpeas, legumes, cashews, and oats.
Iron
Iron is another key nutrient for hair health. It is a key component of hemoglobin, a protein inside red blood cells that carries iron around the body and supplies the tissues and cells with oxygen and nutrients. Iron is high in red meat and green leafy vegetables. Pair iron-rich foods with vitamin C-rich foods to increase its absorption from the gut into the bloodstream. This is especially helpful when consuming plant-based sources of iron that are less readily absorbed and used by the body than meat-based sources.
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