When it comes to a healthier head of hair, there’s only so much that product alone can do. Hair care goes way beyond what’s on our bathroom shelves.
As hair cells are non-essential tissue, they’re often the first thing sacrificed in times of stress. That stress can come from a number of sources, be it diet or lifestyle, or through unhealthy hair practices that can cause unnecessary breakage or damage. “Hair like skin can often be a great barometer of your state of health,” says hairdresser Tim Binnington. If your hair has become more brittle or dull as of late, it could be a sign that you need to slow things down.
A multi-pronged approach is needed to keep hair stronger for longer. From what you eat to brushing tips to keep daily damage to a minimum, here are 7 ways to boost your hair health in the short and long-term.
1. Up your protein intake
Hair is made out of protein so if you’re not eating enough, it’ll become weaker, more brittle and won’t grow as fast. First class proteins that include all the essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein) are best such as eggs, fish (also rich in omega 3s to help boost hydration and shine), lean meats and poultry.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan though, other good sources include quinoa, lentils, nuts and chickpeas. Vegan protein powders can also be particularly useful in this regard. Not all are created equal though. Nutritional therapist Daniel O’Shaughnessy recommends opting for ones that combine rice and pea or hemp and pea to achieve a complete protein profile and therefore a more hard-working yield.
2. Cut down on stress
Hair thinning and breakage are just some of the negative side-effects of stress. It can cause blood vessels in the scalp to narrow, therefore restricting the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach follicles; and it can also speed up the life cycle of the hair, causing it to reach its fallout phase quicker. It can also disrupt sleep patterns which can be particularly detrimental as it’s only when we sleep that key repair processes can take place.
Everyone has their own personal formula for reducing the amount of stress in their lives. Making a daily habit of whatever works for you is key. Meditation can be particularly helpful in our experience, in fact, some research suggests that it could even alter the brain’s neural pathways to make you more resilient to its effects. Breathing exercises can also be particularly beneficial - especially if the outer breath is longer than the inner breath to trigger your parasympathetic nervous system (aka your body's relax mode). Especially handy if you’re trying to switch off at night. And speaking of switching off, your smartphone can also be surprisingly helpful in this regard with the use of apps such as Headspace. Switching it onto Night Mode to prevent blue light from impeding your melatonin production can also make a big difference too.
3. Don’t overbrush your hair
Ever switch onto autopilot when brushing your hair? You’re not alone. On especially busy days, it can often be a case of the faster, the better. However, overzealous brushing can result in unnecessary breakage and damage. When it comes to your brushing technique, adopt a multi-stage approach. “To keep breakage to a minimum, brush from the ends first and then work towards the root,” recommends Tim. “The important point is not to pull hard or tug at your hair - you will cause unnecessary damage if you do this.”
Next, choose the right tool. The fear of brushing-related breakage is one that those with fine or thinning hair will know only too well - conventional models often come with the risk of tugging and snagging. However, the new Manta hairbrush , £25, provides a gentler alternative to keep your detangling endeavours tension-free.
With an ergonomic design that allows it mould to the shape of your hand and scalp and intelligent Flexguard technology that gives each of its bristles 360 degree motion to gently loosen knots, it makes the experience much more pleasurable and hair, smoother, softer and shinier. Read our full Manta hairbrush review here .