Hair. It’s our crowning glory, and the finishing touch to any well put-together look, often brushed, styled and fixed to within an inch of its life to get the desired effect. But anything less than a gentle touch can leave yours looking less than its best, and we all know how upsetting a bad hair can be.
From dry, damaged ends to thinning and balding, there are a plethora of hair-related issued being dealt with every day, and whatever yours might happen to be, the chances are you’re keen to find a solution.
The answer? Building a consistent haircare routine to keep yours looking in tip top condition and ensuring it remains gorgeously healthy for the long-haul. To help get you on the road to success, we’ve rounded up some of our top hair care tips to cover eventuality.
Know your hair type
Perhaps one of the most important things you can do for your hair is to find out once and for all what type you’re dealing with. If you’re currently basing your shampoo and conditioner choices on what smells nice or looks good sitting on your bathroom shelf, then it’s time for a rethink to ensure your hair is getting all of the nutrients it needs.
Even more importantly, it’s important to make sure that you’re not overloading your hair with formulations and ingredients that will exacerbate any current problems you have with it. Overly heavy or moisturising shampoos can make oiliness worse, whiles particularly astringent and medicated shampoos can aggravate dryness and dandruff.
Always read the labels when choosing your hair products, and make sure that they cater to your particular concerns. If your hair is dry or damaged, for example, you might need more than a light conditioner and opt for a weekly intensive hair mask to your routine to infuse it with the added moisture it so desperately needs.
Ask your hairdresser for advice on your next visit, and be sure to buy high-quality products for best results.
Condition from within
Healthy hair isn’t just about the products you put on it – it’s about making sure you’re nourishing it from the inside out, too. Make sure you’re including plenty of protein in your diet, as it’s important for hair growth. Hair follicles are made of mostly protein, and a lack in the diet has been shown to promote hair loss. Choose proteins that are high in amino acids, such as quinoa, lentils, milk and cheese for strong hair.
If you find yourself suffering from early onset thinning or balding, then add a biotin supplement to your diet, which is essential for the production of keratin, can help.
Iron is also important for healthy hair growth, so include iron-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, chickpeas and beans in your diet.
Treat any issues
For a percentage of people – men, in particular – male pattern baldness and early onset of hair loss can have a detrimental effect on confidence, mental health and wellbeing – but thankfully, there are a range of treatments available on the market today that can help to prevent or slow the issue – as well as some that can reverse it completely.
Regaine is an effective treatment for hereditary hair loss in men, and has been clinically proven to stop further hair loss in four out of five men, while encouraging hair regrowth in four out of five. Containing the active ingredient of minoxidil, it stimulates blood flow to the scalp to increase follicle size and the hair shaft diameter.
If the problem is already a little more advanced, then you might consider a hair transplant – a treatment that is becoming increasingly popular on a global scale thanks to scientific advances that have made them a more effective and longer lasting treatment than ever.
There are now numerous clinics around the world offering a range of hair transplant options, but thanks to the cost of hair transplantation in Turkey, not to mention the expertise, it’s becoming an increasingly popular destination for those looking to restore their hair to its former glory.
Handle with care
It’s normal to lose between 100 and 150 strands of hair each day, so as frightening it might seem when you’re pulling it out of your hairbrush or hoovering it up from your carpet, it’s really no cause for concern.
Even so, it’s important to be extra gentle with hair to maintain strong and healthy locks. Hair is extremely fragile when wet, so comb with extra care to avoid any breakage – and avoid rubbing dry with a towel, instead using it to carefully blot any excess moisture.
Avoid heat where possible; if you can let it dry naturally, then do. Excessive heat damages hair and can make it more prone to breakage and split ends.
Visit your hairdresser to have your ends trimmed every 6-8 weeks, and be sure to apply conditioner at least a couple of times a week.
With a few simple tweaks to your routine, it couldn’t be easier to restore your mane to its former glory, and have you feeling back to your best in no time, too.