How To Strengthen Hair

A thick, shiny mane of hair can turn heads and be the envy of those around you. Unfortunately, many factors can slowly take their toll on your hair’s health and eventually result in dry, damaged, lifeless tresses. Daily exposure to hot styling tools and natural threats such as UV rays or other harsh environmental factors can literally suck the life out of your locks.

When your hair is showing signs of stress, it is time to re-think your hair care routine and show your tresses some TLC. Just a few small changes can make a big impact and give you back the lush locks you desire.

Pump Up The Protein

Protein is the key building block of a healthy body. Your hair is no different. When your tresses start to look tired and stressed, changing up your shampoo and conditioner can provide a very needed boost. Look for products specially formulated with enriched protein to give your hair the extra nutrients it needs to combat life’s daily assaults.

Maximize The Moisture

When it comes to combating the daily stressors that continuously assault your hair, there is no better tool in your beauty arsenal than conditioner. Daily conditioners, deep conditioning masks and leave-in conditioning products all offer an added layer of protection for your fragile strands. Certain natural oils, such as Moroccan argan oil, are especially helpful in repairing dry, damaged locks, so selecting products that contain these ingredients is especially effective.

Lay Off The Heat

In the chilly winter months, few things can feel as nice as a long, hot shower. Unfortunately, your hair isn’t quite so appreciative of that indulgent experience. Exposing your hair to extremely hot water can actually contribute to damage, so make sure to turn down the temperature before lathering your locks.

Always Use Protection

When it comes to daily styling, always apply a heat-protectant styling product on your hair before using a blow dryer, curling wand or flat iron. These specially formulated products, available as sprays, creams or gels, form a protective barrier over each hair strand, giving you an extra layer of protection from the heat of styling tools.

Practice Proper Hair Care

Taking good care of your hair involves more than just regular washing and conditioning. Regularly trimming your tresses can help keep split ends at bay, resulting in healthier strands. Likewise, being careful when handling wet hair can help avoid breakage in this fragile state. Be sure to use a wide-toothed comb or special detangling brush on wet hair and never pull or tug at tangles.

When it comes to styling your hair, selecting a vented brush that allows heat to pass through the brush prevents your strands from resting on a scorching surface. Also, when selecting curling wands and flat irons look for those with ceramic or tourmaline plates, which conduct heat more evenly and allow the hair to glide smoothly across the surface.

Eat The Right Stuff

When it comes to your hair, you are what you eat. A steady diet of sugar-laden, nutrient deficient snacks will exact a heavy toll on not just your waistline but your hairline, as well. To maximize your hair’s health, opt for healthy food choices, rich in the vitamins and minerals your hair needs to grow and stay strong.

Minerals such as iron and zinc are essential for healthy hair. Iron rich foods such as dark green vegetables, lean red meat or beans and legumes carry oxygen to the hair follicles, which helps keep hair follicles strong. Foods high in zinc, like seafood and meat, help the hair follicles to bind proteins, resulting in a strong strand of hair.

Since hair is derived from protein, getting enough of this essential building block is also the key to strong, healthy locks. Protein rich foods, like eggs, chicken, turkey and low-fat dairy all give your body the healthy protein boost needed to grow strong strands.

Hydrate From Within

The old adage to drink at least eight cups of water per day is as true as ever, especially when it comes to healthy, strong hair. Water helps your body efficiently function, including the process to grow hair. When you are dehydrated, your hair is denied the key ingredients it needs to be healthy and strong. Your hair will appear dry and brittle. Stay hydrated and instead enjoy soft, supple strands.

Mind The Sun

When hair is exposed to harsh UV rays, significant damage can occur. To best protect your delicate strands, always protect your hair with either a large brimmed hat or specially formulated hair products enriched with SPF protection.

Although it may seem like there is no end to the possible ways your hair can be damaged, just a little bit of planning and care can go a long ways toward keeping your hair damage-free and healthy. Try one – or all – of these suggestions to keep your locks healthy and happy all year long.

Sources:

“8 Ways To Strengthen Your Hair” 2014, hair.allwomenstalk.com

Retrieved from: http://hair.allwomenstalk.com/ways-to-strengthen-your-hair

“How To Strengthen Hair Follicles” February 19, 2014, Livestrong.com

Retrieved from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/77519-strengthen-hair-follicles/

“4 Ways To Rescue Your Hair” 2014, Prevention.com

Retrieved from: http://www.prevention.com/beauty/beauty/4-ways-strengthen-damaged-frizzy-hair