Eat foods that help your hair
Having healthy, shiny hair starts from the inside out, and this means focusing on your diet. Since your hair is made of protein, it’s important to focus on protein and iron-rich foods such as eggs, fish, meat, and nuts to build hair strength and growth. Another area to focus your attention on is foods high in vitamins. Carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes are very high in vitamin A, while broccoli, strawberries, and oranges are high in vitamin C. Try to limit your intake of refined sugars and processed foods this new year and instead opt for those rich in vitamins and nutrients. Sometimes we don’t always eat right, so adding supplements to your daily diet is a great way to get all the essential nutrients your hair needs.
Try a no heat challenge
There are so many heatless ways to curl and smooth your hair’s texture, it’s simply a matter of figuring out what works for you. Embracing natural texture and letting your hair breathe is one of the best steps you can take to achieving healthy hair. It’s all about using heat in moderation! Some flat and curling irons heat up to 450 degrees (That’s twice the temperature at which water boils!). Make sure to adjust the temperature settings on your styling tools to avoid damaging your hair, especially in the case of flat irons and rollers, which come in direct contact with dry hair.
Switch to natural products
Do you really know the ingredients in the products that you use in the shower and to style your hair? If not, there’s no better time to re-evaluate than the new year and opt for some new products with natural ingredients. Avocados, honey, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar, among others, are all highly beneficial for the hair and are likely already sitting in your kitchen cabinets. Always use a gentle shampoo free of sulphates and parabens that won’t strip your natural oils from your scalp to prevent dryness.
Schedule regular salon appointments
As this chaotic COVID year winds down it’s understandable if you got behind on your regular salon appointments and trims. Make the new year your year of healthy hair and maintenance so first things, book yourself a salon appointment. This will give your hair a completely fair chance at a fresh start. We suggest getting a trim and deep conditioning treatment during your appointment.
Wash your hair less often
Many may be surprised to learn that it’s actually much healthier for your hair to shampoo it less often. While it may seem like washing and cleansing your hair is beneficial, if you do this too often it can actually end up stripping the natural oils of your hair and leaving you with dry tresses. For the new year we suggest re-evaluating how many times you wash your hair per week and limiting this to 1 to 2 times at a maximum.
There are plenty of ways to work with second or third-day hair, whether it be a style or simply opting for dry shampoo. Topknots, sleek low buns and intricate braids are just a few of many options, and sometimes these styles even work better with second or third-day hair since it has a little more grit to hold a style.
Switch to a silk pillowcase
If you’re someone who wakes up with bedhead or tangled hair after a good night’s sleep, a great new year’s resolution for you could be to run to the store and purchase a silk pillowcase. Many may not be aware of this, but the typical cotton pillowcase can actually be damaging and drying to the skin and hair. Silk allows the hair to glide freely throughout the night which in turn, creates less frizz and allows you to wake up with sleek, smooth texture. Silk also builds up fewer bacteria, which can also help with preventing breakouts! It’s a win-win for both your hair and skin.
Accept your hair as it is
Lastly, one important resolution to make with yourself and your hair this year is to accept your hair as it is! We constantly criticize ourselves, hair included, in so many ways, so one of our main resolutions for you this year is to see the positives in your hair that you’ve been blessed with. Whether it’s the fact that you love the colour of your hair or your natural curls, every style of hair is beautiful in its own way, especially one we learn to embrace and accept it ourselves. Confidence and acceptance of your hair can be more important than any product or regime!