7 Tips for Healthy Hair
I’ve always been a “long hair person” and probably will be for the near future. I frequently get asked for tips to keep hair healthy & luminous so I’m going to share my go-tos here:
Invest in a Wet Brush…or two. A MUST. My favorite is this one. I have two - keep one in my shower and one with the rest of my hair products. Wet Brushes are great because they are extremely gentle but really get the job done. When your hair is wet, it’s more vulnerable to breakage, so if you yank on your wet hair with a traditional brush, you’re asking for split ends. Wet Brushes are specifically made to be used on wet hair. So you’ll get through all those pesky knots effectively, but gently. In the shower after I condition my hair, rinse slightly, and brush through the conditioner with the Wet Brush. I then add a little more conditioner and let it sit for 1-3 minutes before rinsing it all out.
Switch up your shampoo and conditioner every few months. If you use the same shampoo and conditioner for a long period of time, you’re more likely to have product build-up. I actually have three different kinds of shampoo and conditioner in my shower at all times and try to rotate every few days. One set is a higher end brand, one is more middle-of-the-road, and one is a less expensive drug-store brand. If I have a big event or meeting, I’ll use the nicer shampoo and conditioner, but on other days I’ll rotate between the other two.
Get a haircut every few months to prevent split ends from splitting further up your hair shaft. Let me debunk the “your hair will grow faster if you cut it more often” myth. No, the rate at which your hair grows will not increase by cutting it, BUT you will snip those split ends in their tracks, so they can’t climb further up your hair shaft. So while your hair growth may not speed up, your locks will look fuller, healthier, and longer because they’re not full of splits. If money is tight and you don’t want to invest in a haircut every few months, google or ask for “New Talents” and you can usually get a discount from newer stylists who are often just as talented.
Sleep on a silk pillowcase. Considering your hair spends a third of the day rubbing up against your pillowcase, it’s important to invest in one with material that won’t cause breakage. Cotton pillowcases are more likely to cause those split ends, whereas silk is more gentle on your hair
Supplement with biotin and collagen. If you feel like your hair is thinning, try adding a biotin supplement and collagen peptides to your daily routine. Both have been shown to increase the strength and length of your hair (and nails.) My favorite biotin supplement is Nature’s Life and my favorite collagen peptides brand is Vital Proteins.
Don’t wear your ponytail in the same spot every time. I was wearing my hair ponytail in the same place every day when I worked out and started to notice some slight breakage where my ponytail would sit. Consistent tugging from the same area on your head can stress out your hair and lead to breakage. So now I switch up between high ponytails and low ponytails to prevent stressing my hair.
Use a heat protectant when styling with hot styling tools. It’s important to create a barrier between your hair and the scalding hot styling tools to prevent damage. I like this one by Kérastase.
Avoid rinsing your hair with hot water - opt for cool instead. Just as hot tools can damage your hair, so can hot water. It will also open the hair’s cuticle, leaving it more vulnerable to breakage when you brush through it. Cool water (the colder the better) actually seals the hair’s cuticle, so it will prevent damage and increase smoothness.