Understanding Hair: The Science Behind Healthy Growth
Hair is made out of dead cells, which is why proper care is so crucial for maintaining its health and appearance. On our heads, we have hundreds of thousands of follicles, pore-like structures within the scalp that produce hair throughout our lifetime.
Live hair cells are generated inside the follicle and as the new cells grow, the older cells die and are forced along the follicle towards the surface. As hair is made up of dead cells it hasn't got the ability to regenerate like skin does, leaving it in our hands to take care of our hair to keep it shiny and healthy.
This fundamental understanding explains why preventive care is more important than trying to repair already damaged hair.
Growing Healthy Hair: The Nutritional Foundation
The food you consume has a big impact on your hair quality and growth rate. If you're not getting enough vitamins and nutrients, you risk having unhealthy and dull hair that lacks vitality and strength.
Make sure you're eating a well-rounded diet that includes omega 3 fatty acids found in salmon, sardines, flax seeds and avocados, which promote scalp health and add natural shine to your hair.
Protein is equally important and can be found in meat, fish, eggs, beans and tofu. Since hair is primarily made of protein, adequate intake is essential for strong, healthy hair growth.
The Importance of Proper Hydration
Dehydration is another common culprit when it comes to dry, damaged hair that lacks luster and feels brittle to the touch. Make sure you drink plenty of water during the day, and when you feel thirsty, go for water rather than coffee or soda, which can act as diuretics and dehydrate you.
Alcohol can dehydrate the body fast, so after an alcoholic drink always follow with a large glass of water to maintain proper hydration levels.
Remember to carry a bottle of water with you during the day so you're never without water and can maintain consistent hydration throughout your daily activities.
Proper Hair Cleansing Techniques
Throughout the day, hair undergoes distress and oxidization causing it to feel dull, dry and lifeless. Pollution and natural factors, such as sun, water and oxygen, in combination with the frequent use of products can cause damage and imbalance to the hair and scalp resulting in heavy, oily, flat and shapeless hair.
Use shampoos that are free of sulphates, parabens and silicones that tend to strip the natural oils of the hair, irritate the scalp and create hair loss. These harsh chemicals can cause long-term damage to both hair and scalp health.
Exfoliate your hair and scalp with detoxifying or deep cleansing shampoos once every ten days. This will remove excess buildup and dead cells, leaving the hair shinier and squeaky clean.
Wash your hair less often to maintain its natural protective oils. When you wash your hair, the natural oils that protect it from getting dry and brittle get stripped away. Do it too often and your hair will become frizzy and damaged.
Cut back to washing your hair only twice a week so it has time to recover. After two to three weeks, you should notice a positive change in the texture of your hair.
Apply a small amount of product and massage to foam. If the foam is thin, wash off and repeat ensuring that you cover both the scalp and the length of the hair for thorough cleansing.
Hair Masks: Targeted Solutions for Specific Needs
Masks have been created to provide the hair and scalp with the right nutrients and restore hair vitality. A good mask will bring out the best in your hair's natural texture, whether it's smooth and silky or curly and bouncy.
Use masks once a week to achieve the best results and maintain optimal hair health. Before applying the mask, tap dry your hair with a towel removing excess water to ensure better product absorption.
After applying the mask, place a towel under hot water, twist to remove excess water and wrap your hair in it. Leave for 10-20 minutes to allow the mask to work effectively and penetrate the hair shaft.
Choose the right mask for your specific hair concerns.
- For dry, coarse, or frizzy hair, use hydrating masks that restore moisture and smoothness.
- For damaged or over-processed hair, repairing masks help rebuild the hair structure.
- For flat or limp hair, volumising masks add body and lift. For thinning or weak hair, stimulating or strengthening treatments promote growth and resilience.
- For wiry or grey hair, anti-aging masks help restore softness and manageability while addressing age-related hair changes.
Essential Hair Moisturizing Practices
As we mentioned previously, hair doesn't have the ability to regenerate, making moisture retention crucial for healthy hair. Conditioners are a necessity for hair, providing moisture and sealing the cuticles, helping maintain the hair's health and shine.
Before applying conditioner tap dry your hair with a towel removing excess water to ensure the conditioner can penetrate effectively rather than being diluted.
After applying conditioner comb through for better distribution and to detangle the hair, which prevents breakage and ensures even coverage from roots to ends.
Choose the right conditioner based on the result you want to achieve and your hair type.
- For dry hair, use hydrating conditioners that restore moisture balance.
- For damaged hair, repairing conditioners help rebuild and strengthen the hair structure.
- For flat hair, volumising conditioners add body without weighing hair down.
- For thinning or weak hair, stimulating conditioners promote growth and strength.
- For curly hair, curl activating conditioners enhance natural texture while providing necessary moisture and definition.
