9 Things To Help You Get Long, Strong And Healthy Hair

Our hair is one of our most attractive features and it is also one of the first things that people notice when they see us. So, it makes sense that we put some time and effort into having a good hair care routine.

However, we often have a very complicated relationship with our hair. The more we take care of it, the more it seems to fall apart. And, problems like dandruff, dry hair, split ends or greying have now become a part of our daily life.

# Keep your hair clean and protected

- Oily hair tends to attract more dust and grime. Thus, people who have naturally greasy hair should consider washing their hair more often than those who don’t.
- Given that most of the dirt and dandruff settle on the scalp, it is important to apply a generous amount of shampoo on the head and scrub it well for deep cleaning.
- Applying conditioner after every shampoo wash can help soften your tresses, thus making them easier to untangle and reducing hair breakage.
- Different hair types have different needs, which should be kept in mind when choosing your hair care products.
- The chlorinated water in swimming pools can severely damage and dry out your hair. Wear a swimming cap before venturing into the pool to keep your hair covered. For added protection, you can put a generous amount of olive or coconut oil in your hair.
- Chemically treated hair is drier and more brittle than normal hair and therefore requires greater and gentler care. Frequent washing can further strip away the moisture from it, resulting in a great deal of hair breakage. Thus, wash your treated or colored hair less often.

# Massage your scalp

There is nothing more relaxing than a gentle head massage, which can work in favor of improved hair growth as well. Stress is a primary trigger for temporary hair loss.

Massaging your scalp can help offset this stress-induced hair loss by aiding relaxation. Not just that, gentle kneading helps warm the scalp skin and dilate the blood vessels underneath.

This enhances blood flow in and around the hair root and leads to easier and greater nutrient absorption by the hair follicles, thereby reviving hair health. You can use coconut oil or olive oil for this.

- Mix some drops of any essential oil of your choice (peppermint, lavender, lemon, rosemary) in 3–4 tablespoon of carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, argan oil, or castor oil) to dilute its potency.
- Warm the mixture slightly and use it to gently massage your head for about 20 minutes.
- Leave the oil on for half an hour and rinse with tepid water.

# Drink more water

The shortage of water takes away the shine from your hair, leaving it rough, lifeless, and highly prone to damage. Dry hair is also increasingly susceptible to split ends.

Thus, you must try to maintain optimal fluid intake throughout the day to keep your hair cells healthy and well functioning.

Although there is no substitute for plain water, you can diversify your fluid intake by including juices, broths, and succulent fruits or vegetables in your daily diet.

# Manage stress

Stress can affect the texture, appearance, and quality of your hair. Increased stress prematurely initiates the resting phase of your hair follicles and keeps your hair from growing long and strong.

People who take a lot of stress or go through some extreme trauma often experience excessive shedding of hair, and the only way to counter this hair loss is to bring the stress levels under control.

You can try yoga to help you increase oxygen intake, which switches the body from a sympathetic to a parasympathetic mode, bringing down stress. This, in turn, helps reduce stress-induced hair fall.

# Avoid damaging styling tools and techniques

The bending, twisting, and heating that go into hairstyling can exert undue strain on your hair follicles and scalp.

The application of high-velocity heat to your hair in a concentrated and prolonged manner can severely damage its structural integrity.

To minimize hair damage, exercise discretion, and moderation when styling your hair. Hair tools such as the hairdryer, curling irons, rollers, or hair straighteners can be a leading cause behind hair loss if done recklessly or repeatedly.

# Avoid the bun

Although hair buns are very convenient in keeping hair out of your face, you may want to rethink its pros and cons.

Tying up your hair for a long time can pull back your hairline while exerting undue pressure on the scalp and hair follicles.

It is recommended to experiment with new hairdos rather than sticking to a single style – do ponytails, pigtails, and buns alternatively. Also, tie your hair a little loose to relieve the pressure on the scalp.

# Get proper nutrition

A wholesome, well-balanced diet that fulfills all the nutrient requirements of your body is an essential prerequisite for healthy hair.

Make it a point to include essential minerals, vitamins, and proteins in your diet since deficiencies can have negative implications for hair growth and texture.

For instance, not getting enough vitamin E and zinc can accelerate hair thinning and hair fall.

* Vitamin A

Spinach, collard greens, broccoli, kale, carrots, and black peas are all rich sources of vitamin A and should be included in your diet.

* Vitamin B complex

All eight B vitamins can help promote healthy hair growth. Biotin, especially, can help reverse the hair damage caused by daily sun exposure and hairstyling techniques.

Major sources of biotin are walnuts, peanuts, almonds, avocados, spinach, cheese, sardines, mushrooms, etc.

* Vitamin C

Vitamin C is required to maintain the collagen structure of hair strands to keep its elasticity intact. Also, vitamin C can prevent premature hair whitening to an extent.

Tomatoes, winter squash, black currents, thyme, and various citrus fruits are the main sources of vitamin C.

* Vitamin E

There is no denying the popularity of vitamin E when it comes to taming those unruly, frizzy locks. This vital antioxidant can be found in high amounts in nuts, leafy greens, olive oil, etc.

* Vitamin D

Vitamin D is vital for the hair follicle cycle, delaying aging, and preventing hair loss. A lack of vitamin D may result in serum and female pattern hair loss.

Salmon, tuna, mushroom, cheese, orange juice, and egg yolks are some rich food sources of vitamin D3.

* Minerals

A lack of zinc in the body can lead to hair loss or impeded hair growth.

Other minerals that are necessary to prevent hair breakage and promote long and strong tresses are iron, copper, magnesium, and selenium.

# Address underlying medical issues

The “root” of your hair problems can sometimes be traced back to some undetected health issues. In such a case, any random hair treatment will most likely yield little to no positive results.

You have to seek proper diagnosis and treatment for the underlying cause before you can expect any noticeable improvement in the state of your hair.

# Protect your hair from the sun

Prolonged sun exposure damages your hair more than you realize. Ultraviolet radiation negatively affects the hair protein structure and can give you dry, brittle hair.

To minimize sun damage, use proper hair protection when stepping out. You can apply a hair-protective serum to block out the radiation. Also, consider wearing a cap, hat, or scarf to cover your hair.