If you have hair on your head, you’ve most likely wondered how you can get it looking thick and feeling healthy. Think of your body – you feed it the nutrients it needs to function, you exercise to keep it healthy and strong, and you give it the rest and care it needs when you’re feeling sick. Just like your body, your hair needs special care and neglecting it can lead to problems down the road, such as breakage or hair loss.
If you’ve noticed that your hair isn’t as shiny as it used to be, it’s falling out a little more than usual, or it’s simply feeling dry and brittle, there is most likely a reason and something you can do about it. Here are ten simple things you can do to have thick and healthy hair.
1. Switch up your diet and supplements
Did you know that the food, drinks, medications, and supplements you consume can have a massive impact on your hair health? When you’re not drinking water, not eating enough protein, consuming tons of sugar, and lacking vitamins, your hair can suffer.
2. Use less heat
It’s no secret that heat damages your hair. Heat is necessary sometimes, but making a conscious effort to minimise it can do wonders. Here are a few tips to reduce heat damage:
- Turn the heat down on your hot tools – high heat can be damaging, so if you have it on the highest setting, turn it down. If your hair needs that high setting, try not to go over it more than once and use ceramic hot tools.
- Switch your blow dryer to “warm” instead of “hot.”
- Air-dry your hair when possible.
- Wash your hair with warm or cool water instead of hot.
- Wear a hat or heat protectant when you’re in the sun.
- Don’t use hot tools every day.
- Use the cold shot on your blow dryer after you style your hair with heat.
- Try some heatless styles.
3. Watch your scalp health
It’s impossible to have healthy hair without a healthy scalp. When you wash your hair, make sure to massage your scalp to get any product buildup out. Massaging your scalp can also improve blood circulation. If you’re looking for a simple way to treat your scalp, Hairmax Laser Hair Therapy is a great option. It can help improve scalp health, and also stimulate hair growth.
If your scalp is extra dry or extra oily, you might want to consider switching products. Everyone’s hair is so different, and what works for someone else might not work for you. Finding the best products can take some time, but when you find great ones, you’ll never look back.
4. Get trims regularly
One of the biggest hair myths is that trims help your hair grow faster. Your hair grows from your scalp, so cutting hair off of the bottom won’t magically make your hair grow faster from your scalp. However, regular trims are necessary when it comes to hair health.
Trimming even ½ inch off your hair every couple of months will keep it looking thick and healthy, but more importantly, it will help get rid of dead ends that will end up splitting and ruining your hair. The longer you wait between trims, the worse your hair will break, and you’ll end up having to cut more off to get it healthy again. Sticking to a regular trim schedule will keep your hair feeling and looking great.
5. Don’t wash your hair every day
Washing your hair every single day does more damage than good. Your scalp produces natural oils that your hair needs to stay strong and healthy, and when you wash your hair too often, those oils can be stripped away and leave your hair vulnerable.
Experts say that washing your hair 2-3 times per week is ideal, but everyone’s hair is different. Do what works best for you, but keep in mind that washing less often will be better for your hair in the long run.
6. Know how to wash your hair
Speaking of hair washing, the way you wash your hair matters. Wash, rinse, and repeat isn’t just a fun saying – you can get the most out of your shower by shampooing once, rinsing, shampooing again, then conditioning. That rinse and repeat step is extra important if you have blonde hair and use a purple shampoo. Wash your hair with regular shampoo first, then purple shampoo second.
When you wash your hair, try to keep the conditioner on your ends and the shampoo on your scalp.
Shampoo can dry out the ends of your hair, so using it only where you need it improves your overall hair health. HairMax Stimul8 Shampoo is sulfate free, formulated without harsh detergents, so it’s gentle on your hair and also adds volume. Switch your hair care to a healthier option, check it out here.
7. Make sure your hormones are balanced
Hormone imbalances can mess with your hair health. If you have low thyroid, low vitamin D, low iron, or PCOS, you’ve most likely experienced some form of hair loss.
If you have concerns about your hormone health, it’s best to see a doctor and get some testing done. You can do every hair mask or treatment out there, but if your body is out of sync, your hair won’t reach its full potential.
8. Reduce your stress
Stress can be a massive factor when it comes to hair loss. When people go through high-stress times or traumatic events, their body can have a physical response and shed hair as a result. If you want to get your hair back to the healthiest it can be, do everything you can to reduce any extreme stress.
You can do this by meditating, going to therapy, exercising, and doing things you love. If you have unmanageable stress, your mind, body, and hair will suffer the consequences.
9. Be careful with chemical treatments
The phrase “chemical treatments” might sound a little scary, but stylists do them every day in the salon. These treatments can include perms, highlights, keratin treatments, permanent straightening treatments, and colour treatments. It’s fun to switch up your hair every once in a while, and these treatments are safe when they happen in the right circumstances.
First, when you’re dealing with chemicals, it’s usually best to go to a professional. They know how to use them, so the treatments typically will not cause extreme damage. However, any chemical treatment will leave some damage, so go as long as you can between treatments. Doing so will give your hair the time it needs to recover and continue growing healthy and strong.
10. Use the right products
It comes with some trial and error, but finding the right products for your hair is the best way to grow it thick and healthy. Find a great shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, hair supplement, and heat protectant, and your hair will feel better than ever.
Check our full list of hair care and regrowth products to see which one might work best for you, your lifestyle and your hair.
