How to get healthy hair

Hair has always been a significant aspect of beauty standards. Luscious and shiny locks have been considered ideal beauty for ages. Have you always dreamed of having that bouncy and voluminous hair seen in the advertisements? If so, this dream can turn into reality by following a proper hair care routine. Besides consuming a diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals, some natural hair care products may help to achieve those ideal, healthy hair. Some of the natural hair care ingredients that may help to add luster and shine to you include:
- Diet: You are what you eat. Expensive potions and oils are worthless if your diet is poor. Avoid processed sugars, refined carbs, and excess tea or coffee that messes with your metabolism. Have a diet rich in proteins (eggs, fatty fish, lean meats), iron (leafy vegetables), vitamins (fruits), and minerals (nuts). Avoid smoking and alcohol. A nutrient-rich diet will automatically result in a healthy mane.
- Avocado: For smooth and shiny hair, use an avocado conditioner. To make an avocado conditioner:
- Mix a small jar of mayonnaise and avocado pulp until it turns light green or minty color
- Apply the mixture to your hair till all strands of hair are covered
- Cover the head with a plastic wrap and leave it for 30 minutes
- Rinse thoroughly. You can opt for a mild shampoo to wash your hair afterward if you have oily hair.
- Avocado is rich in Vitamin A, B1, B2, D, and E as well as beta-carotene, which is good for dry skin and hair. Massaging with avocado oil may also help to provide luster to the hair.
- Olive oil conditioner: Olive oil has great benefits when applied to hair directly or when mixed with other ingredients. Mix two to three drops of extra virgin olive oil with your regular conditioner and apply it onto the lower bottom of the hair focusing more on the ends. Gather your hair together so that it sits at the top of your head and cover with a warm wet towel. Leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse it thoroughly.
- Apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinses: ACV has become a hot favorite of every household due to its benefits. Mix half a cup of ACV with one-quarter cup of water to make a vinegar rinse. Pour this mixture through the hair and re-rinse with cool water.
- Honey: Honey acts as a natural moisturizer. It also has antiseptic and antioxidative properties. Additionally, honey is loaded with vitamins and minerals that promote hair growth. Honey can be added to rinses, conditioners, and masks.
- Aloe vera: Aloe vera has been the most common moisturizer used for skin and hair. It eradicates the risk of a flaky scalp in harsh and dry weather. Apply fresh aloe vera gel onto the hair or use products that contain aloe vera as an ingredient.
Some of the hair care routines that would improve the strength and luster of the hair include:
- Shampooing two to three times a week: Avoid shampooing daily with shampoo as it would rip off the essential oils from the hair. Use lukewarm water instead of hot water to wash your hair. As far as shampoo is concerned, use a mild shampoo that contains herbs and natural oils. Avoid shampoos that contain:
- Formaldehyde/Formalin/Formic aldehyde/oxomethane/oxomethylene
- Dibutyl Phthalates (DBP)/Di-n-butyl phthalate/dibutyl 1,2-benzene dicarboxylate
- Diethanolamine
- Monoethanolamine
- Ethanolamine
- Triethanolamine
- Lauramide DEA
- Propylene glycol/1-2-Propanediol
- Using conditioner: Condition your hair after each wash to lock in the moisture. If you want to rinse the hair, use cold water to lock-in its hydrating benefits. Even a leave-in moisturizer after a hair wash is a good option.
- Massaging with oil: Apply oil on your hair and massage it with your fingertips for deep penetration.
- Trimming your ends: It is necessary to trim or cut your hair regularly. Split ends prevent hair growth and so, it is essential to get hair trimmed.
- Avoid using excessive styling products: Avoid using several styling products or styling tools that may dry or damage the hair. Use styling products or tools sparingly.
- Combing gently: Comb your hair softly and treat it gently to avoid excessive breakage.
- Calm down: Excess stress and anxiety can lead to dry, brittle hair, and hair loss. Hence, it is necessary to de-stress and relax.
References
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Techniques to Achieve Naturally Healthy Hair. National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP). 2011. https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/P100AW8W.PDF?Dockey=P100AW8W.PDF
Top How Can I Get Healthy Hair Naturally? Related Articles
Are Widow’s Peaks Attractive?Widow’s peak refers to the V-shaped arrangement of your hairline in the center of your forehead. Widow's peaks can look really attractive.
Women’s Hair Loss: Causes, Treatments, and SolutionsHair loss in women has many causes. Menopause is one cause of hair loss in women over 50. Hormones, medications, and stress are other potential causes. Hair loss treatments may include minoxidil...
Hair Color Tips SlideshowLearn about hair and beauty tips for gorgeous hair color. Explore hair dye options for tips and gorgeous colors.
15 Gray Hair Causes and FixesWhat causes gray hair, and what does it say about your health? Is it stress? Genetics? Medications? Learn how to remove gray hair, why some people go gray sooner than others, and find what hairstyles...
Hair LossThere are many causes of scalp hair loss. This featured article covers the common ones such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata, trichotillomania, and tinea capitis), telogen effluvium, and...
Hair Loss QuizTrue or false: Genetic hair loss comes from the mother's side of the family. Take the Hair Loss Quiz to learn about your hair. Learn what damages hair and what doesn't. Take the quiz!
How Can I Remove Facial Hair Permanently at Home?The only advanced technique for hair removal that can permanently remove unwanted facial hair is electrolysis. Methods you can try for hair removal at home include shaving, waxing, depilatory creams,...
How Long Do Hair Supplements Take to Work?Hair growth vitamins or herbal supplements are often used to promote healthy hair growth and regrowth. Taking hair growth supplements does not produce results overnight; it usually takes a long time...
Is Auburn Hair Natural?Red hair varies from deep burgundy to bright copper, auburn, reddish-orange, burnt orange and strawberry blond. Auburn or red hair can be natural.
Is It Safe to Bleach Already Bleached Hair?Oxidized melanin loses its color, making the hair look lighter. Bleaching significantly damages your hair. Whether you should rebleach your bleached hair depends on the health of your hair before and...
How Can I Make My Hair Grow Faster and Thicker at Home?Hair needs nutrition. Grow hair faster and thicker at home by eating a diet that provides enough protein, selenium, vitamins, and other micronutrients and using home remedies.
Surprising Reasons Your Hair Is Falling OutSeeing clumps of hair in your brush every time you groom your tresses? Find out what might be behind your locks loss.
Vitiligo Hair PictureA condition in which the skin turns white due to the loss of pigment from the melanocytes, cells that produce the pigment melanin that gives the skin color. In vitiligo, the melanocytes are...
What Are the Four Types of Hair?Hair type and texture are determined by several factors including genetics. There are four main types of hair texture: Type 1 - straight, Type 2 - wavy, Type 3 - curly and Type 4 - tightly curled.
What Is a Clarifying Shampoo?A clarifying shampoo is a shampoo that helps get rid of buildup in your hair. The buildup may be due to the residue left by your daily shampoos, chlorinated water during swimming, coloring...
Why Has My Hair Suddenly Changed Texture?Many different things can change the texture of your hair. It can be your age or any health conditions like menopause, and cancer that you can start noticing some changes in your hair.