3 Tips for Healthy Hair: Reverse Damage for Happier, Healthier Locks

These tips for healthy hair can help you revamp tired locks.

Think about the damage you inflict on your hair every day. Whether you color it, use heated styling tools, or subject it to harsh environmental conditions, your locks can start to look dull and lifeless if they're not taken care of properly. Chances are that you won't suddenly change those bad habits, so you might have resigned yourself to damaged tresses. Why not have the best of both worlds? With these basic tips for healthy hair, you can have your flat iron and hair color too. Simply making time to care for your hair with the right products can work wonders on the condition of your locks.

Reduce the Damage

Let's face it: a lot of damaging factors are out of your control. Age, environment, and genes all play a role in how your hair handles everything you throw at it, but you can prevent daily damage from taking its toll. Here are some of the ways you can make sure your habits aren't a catalyst for dull, dry tresses.

• Take a styling break. Heat tools can undermine your hair's natural strength, resulting in breakage. Take a few days off by learning some no-heat styling techniques. If you do use a flat or curling iron, always use a heat shield product such as TRESemme Heat Tamer Spray. Just spray before styling to protect vulnerable strands from damage.
• Strengthen from the inside out. When you're not eating right or staying hydrated, that can be reflected in the condition of your hair. Without proper nutrition, your lovely mane can become dry and more prone to split ends and dullness. Make sure you're drinking enough water every day, and if you don't eat a well-balanced diet consider trying a supplement with biotin and other nutrients for hair, skin, and nail health.
• Upgrade your elastics. Elastics are a must-have for keeping hair out of your face, but elastics with metal parts can pull out hair and leave dents. Upgrade to a non-damaging hair elastic to make sure your favorite workout style doesn't put your locks through the wringer. Try a seamless, metal-free version like Scunci No Damage Ponytail Holders.

Use the Right Brush

The quality of your hair can be directly related to the quality of your tools. This is especially true when it comes to choosing a brush. Different brushes have different applications, so make sure you have an array of styles for everything your hair needs.

Start with a good-quality detangling brush for wet hair. The Conair Velvet Touch Detangle and Style Brush helps get rid of knots without compromising wet strands. Then, choose the right brush for your unique hairstyle. Paddle brushes, for instance, are perfect for smoothing and straightening. If you're looking for more volume, invest in a round brush, like the Conair Wood Classics Large Round Brush. Skipping a wash? Try a boar brush to distribute your hair's natural oil from root to tip for healthier-looking locks.

Upgrade Your Products

When it comes to maintaining a healthy hairstyle, it might be time to upgrade your products cabinet. Using the right products is essential to ensuring your locks always look their best. Not sure what works for your hair? Try these upgrades:

• For thin, limp hair. Give your tresses a pick-me-up by ditching your old shampoo for John Frieda Luxurious Volume Shampoo to start thickening your strands in the shower. Avoid any cream-based styling products, opting instead for a light mousse to volumize and give your locks the boost they need.
• For combination hair. If you have hair that is oily at the roots and dry at the tips, you might need to give it a break from shampoo. Frequent hair washing can increase oil production, which causes you to wash again and repeat the cycle. Instead of washing daily, use a dry shampoo at your roots to absorb extra oil without drying out your ends. Then, use a little argan oil to smooth split ends and keep your blowout fresh for days.
• For curly, coarse hair. Harsh sulfates are the enemy for coarse hair, as they can create a frizzy, damaged appearance. Go sulfate-free with L'Oreal Cleansing Balm, which moisturizes while it cleans. Then, use a cream-based heat protectant before you gently diffuse your hair to enhance its natural gorgeous texture. One last pro tip: Sleep with your hair in a silk scarf to limit frizz and wake up with smoother locks in the morning.

The best tips for healthy hair don't have to be complicated. No matter what you've thrown at your mane in the form of styling, color, and environment, there's often a simple solution. Armed with the right nutrition, products, and tools, you can give your hair the care it needs to look amazing every day.

Sources:

HealthLine, The 5 Best Vitamins for Hair Growth

HealthLine, Should You be Going Sulfate Free?

WebMD, Diet and Healthy Hair

WebMD, 8 Ways You're Damaging Your Hair

Skin Appendage Disorders, A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss

National Institutes of Health, Effects of Tocotrienol Supplementation on Hair Growth in Human Volunteers

These articles are not a substitute for medical advice, and are not intended to treat or cure any disease. Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid, or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of scientific literature may vary. Consult your healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise, or medication regime.