Six simple tips to boost your hair health for growth

You would be lying if you said you don’t want healthy, long and shiny hair. I mean, we all do.

But as you get older the rate of your hair growth slows down. Not factoring in that healthy hair sheds approximately 100 strands a day and is constantly prone to damage, dryness, frizz and breakage.

While there is no shortcut to grow healthy and long hair overnight, these simple tips will begin your journey to your hair goals. 

Limit heat

Tempting as it may be to have straight or perfectly curled hair, hot curlers, blow dryers, straightening irons and other heated styling tools will eventually take a toll on your hair.

Using too much heat will weaken your hair leaving it damaged especially if you have thin, weak and dry hair that is prone to breakage.

It is advised to minimize heat or use low heat settings when using these tools to reduce damage. Using a heat protectant is also a good idea. 

You should also give your hair some time to recover from the heat and hold the styling tools at least six inches away from the hair.

Trim

If you want long healthy hair in the long run you must get regular trims. Getting rid of those split ends doesn’t necessarily make your hair grow long but rather get rid of the ends that cause breakage.

To maintain your length, go to a professional salonist for a dusting. This ensures the damaged hairs at the tips are snipped.

It is recommended you get your trims every two or three months.

Stay off dyes

As difficult as it may be, resist the urge to go from black to platinum blonde in one sitting. No matter how cute coloured hair may look, it comes with a lot of hair care.

You may experience dryness, breakage and split ends after using harsh chemicals to go from a darker shade to a lighter one as the bleach causes damage to the hair cuticle.

Ensure you do a deep moisturizing treatment often and keep your hair strands moisturized.

Eat right

Well, it is true you are what you eat. For healthy hair you must stay on top of your health. Your follicles are mostly made up of proteins and a well-rounded diet will play a huge factor on how your hair looks.

Boost hair growth by including foods rich in zinc, vitamin C, omega 3 fatty acids, iron and vitamin D. 

Failure to do so will result in weak, brittle and overall loss of hair.

Remember your scalp health

A healthy scalp will have healthy hair growing from it. It is therefore important to maintain a balanced scalp by using the right products.

If you notice dryness, flaking, dandruff, itching or any other issue, go for a shampoo that will tackle those specific problems. Masque conditioning treatments will also help with dryness.

Use hot oil treatments

Hot oil treatments such as avocado and coconut oil are great for restoring moisture to dry and damaged hair. They are rich in fatty oils and different vitamins. 

Make your own treatment by mixing equal parts of both oils and warm them. On a clean scalp, apply to the scalp, roots and ends making sure your hair is well saturated.

Let it sit for half an hour then rinse well with warm water.