Embarking on new habits, no matter how small scale they may be, is a great way to change the overall pace and attitude of your life. The more positive habits you include in your daily routine, higher are the chances that you reap their benefits in other aspects of your life as well.
If you are looking to develop a haircare journey which will be easy to follow and remain committed to, we’ve got you covered. This article discusses a few tips that you can incorporate in your daily routine that will give you healthy and soft hair, while ensuring that you don’t need to put in a ton of effort.
1. Healthy diet
Beauty comes from within, and this saying applies to hair as well. If you are looking to improve your hair health, you need to start off with focusing on your overall health by incorporating foods in your diet that are rich in protein, iron and vitamins. Pulses, tofu, nuts and seeds, lentils, quinoa, oats, and certain vegetables are excellent sources of protein. Proteins are the building blocks of our body and to reverse the damage caused to your hair by external factors, a high amount of protein must be present in your diet. For vitamins, the intake of fruits like oranges, strawberries, bananas, apples and papaya should be increased.
2. Oiling
One of the key techniques of preventing dry hair and replenishing moisture in your hair is by oiling your hair often. Coconut oil has been used for hair care since eons, and for good reason. It has been found that it is similar to the natural hair proteins and can easily penetrate the hair shaft, thereby reducing the moisture content absorbed into your hair. It is also known to combat itchy scalp and dandruff. There are several other natural hair oils that are meant for serving particular purposes. For example, castor oil, which is rich in vitamin E, vitamins and protein, is best known for promoting fast hair growth by enhancing blood circulation. Tea tree oil works wonders for preventing dry scalp and dandruff. Argan oil is great for repairing damaged hair and especially, split ends. Depending on your needs and demands, you should choose a hair oil such as the Mantra Herbal Bhringraj and Hibiscus Nourishing hair oil and use it 1-2 times a week, for 2-4 hours before you shampoo. If you wish to get better results from oiling, it is advisable to heat the oil prior to use.
3. Frequent hair wash days
A clean scalp is mandatory to have healthy hair. If dirt and dust keep accumulating on your scalp, your hair is prone to getting damaged. Using mild shampoos and shampooing twice, followed by conditioning should be the common hair wash routine. The number of hair washes in a week depends on the level of physical activity you are involved in and the amount of sweat that is being produced by your scalp. Hence, it is on you to fix this number. With that said, washing your hair one or two times a week is important. It is also necessary to try and stick to an individual brand’s products so that your hair does not come into frequent contact with multiple chemicals. Using a leave-in conditioner like the Ashba Botanics Leave-in conditioner helps improve the softness and luster of hair.
4. Frequent trims
In order to prevent hair thinning and split ends, go for a trim every 3-4 months. This not only ensures that your hair stays in the shape that you had originally cut it but also prevents your hair from developing split ends, which is a direct sign of damage.
5. Stay away from heat and chemicals
With the advent of multiple hair appliances and products, it is tempting to use them all to get the most attractive-looking hairstyle. However, the damage that is done to your hair by the heat and chemicals of these products is long-lasting, and tends to show up at latter stages in life. There are several alternative methods to obtain curls or waves without resorting to tools, setting your hair without using a spray, and straightening your hair on the daily using a straightener. If you must resort to styling products, choose mild and more natural ingredient-based products like the Ashba Botanics Hair Styling serum.
6. Hair masks
Hair masks are excellent for providing moisture to your scalp and keep them soft and silky for a long period of time. They also improve the strength of your hair and keep them healthy. Using a hair mask like the True Frog Deep Conditioning Mask deeply hydrates your hair and imparts balance to it.
After you have instilled these habits into your daily life, you can formulate a simply haircare routine as follows:
1. Cleanse and wash using a clarifying shampoo2. Condition
3. Detangle using a leave-in conditioner
4. Moisturise using a light hair oil
At the end of the day, you need to listen to your hair and understand it, because nobody knows your body better than yourself. These are some general tips that can help with improving and preserving the quality of your hair, but it is of prime importance to keep your hormones and health in check to ensure that these tips work effectively. In addition to the above tips, following a healthy diet and keeping your health in check will help with sticking to a haircare routine.
FAQs
1. How often should I oil my hair?
This depends on your hair type and the level of physical exertion you undergo and the amount of sweat you produce. Ideally, you should oil your hair once a week followed by washing it to get healthy and silky hair.
2. Is hot water bad for my hair?
Hot water strips your hair of its natural oils and makes it dry. It is thus advisable to use cold or lukewarm water at best.
3. What is the correct way to brush my hair?
You should always start from the bottom part of your hair and work your way up to the roots of your hair. This prevents breakage of hair and eases the process of detangling it.
- Srishti Chakraborty
