How to Strengthen Hair

Getting Good Nutrition

Take a biotin supplement or introduce biotin-rich foods to your diet. Biotin is a B-complex vitamin that helps your body develop keratin, the protein that makes up hair. Take 2,500 mg of biotin a day in supplement form to strengthen your hair. You can also get smaller amounts of biotin from foods like: Eggs Nuts and seeds Avocados Sweet potato Salmon Liver

Consume more calcium and vitamin D. Calcium plays a strong role in the maintenance of healthy hair, while vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Aim to drink milk every day or consume other dairy products like yogurt and cheese to get calcium. Vitamin D can be found in fish, grains, and fortified orange juices. You can also talk to your doctor about taking vitamin D and calcium supplements.

Make sure that your diet includes plenty of protein. Protein is important in preventing weak and dry hair. Consume protein in meals and snacks each the day to keep your hair strong and healthy. Choose protein-rich foods like: Meat, poultry, and fish Eggs Milk and other dairy products Legumes and nuts Shakes or smoothies with whey protein

Maintain healthy iron levels to avoid hair loss. Low levels of iron in the blood can limit the supply of nutrients to your hair follicles, hindering its growth. If you suspect your iron levels are low, ask your doctor if iron supplements may be right for you. You should also aim to eat iron-rich foods every day, such as:. Red meat Chicken Fish Lentils Spinach Broccoli Kale

Get more vitamin C to boost collagen production. Collagen strengthens hair shafts, resulting in healthier hair. Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen, and provides other benefits like helping your body absorb iron. To get vitamin C, eat at least 1-2 servings a day of foods like: Oranges Blueberries Blackcurrants Strawberries Sweet potatoes Broccoli Kiwi Guava

Eat foods that supply silica, a mineral that thickens hair. Silica strengthens hair by making it more durable and by preventing breakage. Consume silica-rich foods like bananas, raisins, and oats several times a week. You can also get silica from the grains in beer. It is recommended that men drink no more than 2 beers each day, and women no more than 1.

Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration. Dehydration can result in limp, weak hair that may break or fall out easily. To stay hydrated, drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day, or approximately 6–8 cups (1.4–1.9 l). If you don't want to drink that much water, try consuming herbal teas and juices as well to reach this total. You can also stay hydrated by eating water-rich foods like watermelon or cucumber.

Preventing Hair Damage

Avoid washing your hair more than 3-4 times per week. Shampooing your hair every day can rob it of its natural oils, making it prone to breakage. Aim to wash your hair every other day to keep it healthy. If your hairy feels limp or greasy in between washings, try using a dry shampoo to absorb sweat and oil from your scalp. When applying dry shampoo, hold the can 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) away from your scalp.

Limit heat styling to twice a week. Using blow dryers, curling irons, and straightening tools on your hair can cause dryness and breakage, weakening your hair. Pat your hair dry as much as possible before blow drying and styling it to reduce the time it will be exposed to heat. On warm days, opt to air dry your hair and go for a natural look. Apply a heat protectant product to reduce damage to your hair when styling it. If possible, stop heat styling your hair altogether for a few months to restore your hair’s luster.

Dry your hair with an old T-shirt instead of a towel. Towel drying your hair can result in frizz and tangles, especially if you do it vigorously. Instead, use a cotton T-shirt to gently dab your hair when it is wet. Absorb as much excess moisture as possible and let your hair air dry. If you prefer to use a towel to dry your hair, then use a microfiber towel. A t-shirt works best for people with curly hair because it helps to control the frizz.

Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush. Brushing knotted or matted hair can cause breakage, weakening your hair. Instead, slide a wide-tooth comb through your hair to gently remove tangles and knots. Start removing knots towards the bottom of your hair first to make things easier, then target mats closer to the top. It is especially important to use a wide-tooth comb if you have curly or wavy hair. For extremely tangled hair, apply some conditioner to your hair before trying to comb through it.

Quit smoking to prevent hair loss. Smoking can constrict the blood vessels that provide nutrients to the scalp, weakening your hair. If you are a smoker, ask your doctor the best options to help you quit. Nicotine replacement therapy, prescription medication, and behavioural therapy are all effective measures to break the habit. Nicotine replacement therapy comes in the form of gum, patches, inhalers, sprays, or lozenges.

Using the Right Products

Wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo to preserve its natural oils. Sulfate-free shampoos contain less harsh detergents than regular shampoos, which can cause dryness. Maintain strong, thick hair by shopping for shampoos that say “sulfate-free” on the bottle. You can also look for organic, chemical-free shampoos in health food stores or online. Using a smaller amount of shampoo when you wash your hair will also help to cut down on dryness. Make sure to concentrate the shampoo on your scalp and roots, and concentrate the conditioner on the middle to ends of your hair.

Buy a shampoo with peppermint or eucalyptus to stimulate hair growth. Peppermint and eucalyptus oils can improve blood flow to your hair follicles, encouraging the growth of hair. While shampooing, massage the product directly into your scalp for a full 30 seconds. You should feel a tingling sensation, which is an indication that it is working. As an alternative, add 1-2 drops of peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil to a quarter size amount of regular shampoo and combine the mixture in your hands.

Purchase hair products with shea butter, olive oil, argan oil, or coconut oil. When it gets dry, your hair need moisturizing ingredients to hydrate it. Shop for shampoos and conditioners that contain fortifying natural ingredients to restore moisture. Shea butter, olive oil, argan oil, or coconut oil are popular choices for coating and strengthening your hair follicles and preventing hair breakage. Argan oil and coconut oil have the added benefit of adding a sweet scent to your hair, and can be applied to dry hair or smooth it and add shine.

Use avocado oil as a mask, conditioner, or scalp massage treatment. Avocado oil has intense moisturizing properties that can prevent dryness of the scalp and hair and add shine to your locks. Purchase avocado oil online, or in health food stores or supermarkets. Apply it to your hair once a week by: Pouring a few drops of it onto your fingertips and massaging it into your scalp. Using a quarter size amount of it as a conditioner after shampooing. Combining 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of it with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of honey and 1 egg yolk to make a hair mask. (Make sure to rinse this out with very cool water to avoid cooking the egg in your hair.) Using a store-bought deep conditioner that contains avocado oil.