ROOTS TO TIPS || 5 Wellness Practices for Radiant and Healthy Hair
Do you notice your hair falling out more, getting dry, or oily?
That might be a sign that it’s time to pay attention to the health of your hair. Caring for your hair is more than just using the right shampoo or conditioner.
It’s about embracing a holistic approach that nurtures your hair from the inside out. Here are five wellness practices that can help you achieve radiant and healthy hair, from roots to tips.
1. Eat Your Way to Healthy Hair
Many people think that putting oils and serums helps you obtain healthier hair but they’re missing one key ingredient to healthy hair: diet. What you eat has a huge impact on your hair's health. Here are 3 macronutrients to consider incorporating into your diet if you want to improve or maintain your hair health:
It’s important to eat a healthy amount of food from all food groups. Don’t skip out on your veggies or protein as these are important for keeping your scalp and hair healthy, giving it the nutrition it needs.
Protein: Protein is essential for hair strength, so make sure you’re getting enough from sources like eggs, lean meats, and legumes. For those who mainly eat a veggie diet, consider adding chickpeas, beans, or tofu to your meals to get protein.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, these are great for your scalp health. Omega 3s prevent hair follicle inflammation which, in turn, benefits the growth of your hair.
Vitamins: Include foods high in vitamins A and C, like leafy greens and citrus fruits, to support sebum production and collagen formation.
2. Love Your Scalp
From a more physical perspective, there are ways you can improve your scalp health daily.
Massaging your scalp gives you the exfoliation you need but also helps improve circulation and blood flow.
Exfoliate: After lathering on your shampoo, gently massage your scalp. You can use a gentle scrub or a soft brush to remove dead skin cells and improve circulation, or you can use your hands to apply pressure while massaging.
Head Massage: Regular scalp massages with your fingertips can stimulate blood flow. For added benefits, add a few drops of rosemary or peppermint oil to help with dryness or itching of the scalp – improving itchiness ultimately helps your scalp stay healthy to grow healthy hair.
3. Hydrate and Moisturize
Keeping yourself hydrated is keeping your hair hydrated. This helps to prevent breakage and split ends:
While you don’t need to drink 8 cups of water a day, try to listen to your body and give it the water it needs to stay hydrated. A good rule of thumb is to check the skin on your knuckles. If you pinch them and they bounce right back, then you are well hydrated.
Drink Water: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Deep Condition: Use conditioners with natural oils like argan or coconut oil. Treat your hair to a deep conditioning mask once a week to keep it soft and strong. If you notice that you have oily hair, it may be better to skip out on putting in so much oil after washing your hair.
4. Style with Care
Mindful styling can prevent a lot of damage:
Heat Protection: Always apply a heat protectant spray before using styling tools. This helps maintain your hair's health by preventing dryness, frizz, and damage.
Gentle Handling: Use a wide-tooth comb or a soft-bristle brush to avoid breakage. Start from the ends and work your way up.
Protective Hairstyles: Try hairstyles like braids, buns, or twists to reduce friction and prevent breakage. Be careful not to pull your hair too tightly to avoid damage.
5. Manage Stress
Stress can take a toll on your hair, so managing it is crucial:
Relax: Incorporate stress-reducing practices like yoga, meditation, or regular exercise into your routine.
Sleep Well: Make sure you’re getting enough sleep to help your body and hair recover and grow.
Hair care is something that we don’t take seriously because we don’t see the immediate effects or results of our actions. But when you start to notice differences, it’s a sign for you to put on your A-game and take care of your hair and scalp!