30 March 2024 
While genetics undoubtedly play a significant role, other elements also play an equal part in your hair health. These elements include diet, environmental conditions, pollution, and your hair care routine also contribute to the overall health of your hair.
It’s essential to consider all these aspects to achieve the best hair. This article is structured into three sections: Diet, Shampooing, and Bonus Tips.
Diet Tips for Healthy Hair
Increase Protein Intake for Better Hair Health
Ensuring a healthy diet is essential to uphold the health of both your hair and scalp. Since hair mainly consists of protein, it’s essential to consume a sufficient amount daily, aiming for at least 45 grams. Excellent protein sources include:
- lean meats
- Poultry
- Fish
- Beans
- low-fat dairy products
- eggs
Bad protein intake can lead to hair becoming weak and brittle, losing its color, and experiencing hair loss. Therefore, prioritizing protein-rich foods in your diet is vital for promoting optimal hair health.
Zinc Consumption Helps in Hair Health
A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding. To counter this, include nuts such as Brazil nuts, walnuts, pecans, cashews, and almonds. Additionally, ensure you consume plenty of vegetables, fruits, and leafy green salads, and drink clean, filtered water.
Consider taking a multivitamin or zinc supplement to supplement your diet as needed. These measures can help promote healthy hair and prevent excessive shedding.
Eat more Omega Better Results
Boosting your intake of omega-3 fatty acids can help stimulate your hair follicles and sebaceous glands, which in turn promotes scalp health. Although it won’t directly cause hair growth, it can contribute to overall hair health.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fish like salmon, sardines, and herring. You can also find them in sources like:
- flax seed
- Yogurt
- Cottage
- Cheese
- Salad
- Cereal
Incorporating these foods into your diet can support the health of your hair and scalp.
Shampooing Tips for Overall Hair Health Scientifically
Girl using hair care products for hair
Study Your Hair Type Before Shampooing
The frequency of shampooing your hair is a topic of debate, as it varies based on personal preferences and individual requirements. Factors such as your hair type, texture, the frequency of using hair products, and your activity level all play a role.
For instance, individuals with oily hair may find it necessary to shampoo daily, whereas those with dry hair may need to shampoo less often.
Choose The Right Shampoo For Your Hair Type
Using an unsuitable shampoo and styling products can lead to significant damage to your hair. It’s important to choose products that are suitable for your specific hair type – whether it’s oily, normal, or dry – and address any specific issues like dandruff.
Avoid shampoos containing harsh ingredients like ammonium lauryl sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate. Also, keep in mind that the price of a product doesn’t always reflect its quality
Use Conditioner for Better Hair Health
Conditioning after shampooing is crucial for maintaining soft, shiny, and manageable hair. You can opt for a standalone conditioner or choose a shampoo with built-in conditioning properties. Ensure to comb the conditioner evenly through your hair for thorough coverage. Leave it in for two to three minutes before rinsing it out.
Similar to shampooing, not everyone needs to condition their hair every time they wash it. Experiment with different routines to discover what works best for your hair.
Rinse it & Comb it
Hair experts advise that many individuals tend to over-shampoo or shampoo improperly. Here are some standard guidelines to follow:
- Limit hair washing to once a day.
- Use just enough shampoo to cover your hair adequately.
- Avoid extremes in water temperature—neither too hot nor too cold.
Handle wet hair gently as it’s more prone to breakage. Refrain from vigorously rubbing wet hair with a towel. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle, but avoid excessive combing or brushing of wet hair.
Bonus Tips for Your Natural Hair Care
Hair Maintenance
Here are some essential tips to maintain healthy hair:
- Initiate blow-drying at the lowest heat setting and adjust as necessary.
- Whenever possible, allow your hair to dry naturally.
- Change the position of pins and clips regularly to avoid breakage in specific areas of your hair.
- Opt for hair dye shades that are no more than three shades away from your natural color.
- Regularly massage your scalp to boost hair growth and enhance blood circulation.
- Schedule regular haircuts every 10 to 12 weeks to promote hair health and prevent split ends.
Factors Contributing to Unhealthy Hair
Aggressive shampooing, frequent hair treatments, use of harsh styling products, and excessive brushing are major contributors to unhealthy hair. Additionally, other factors that can negatively impact hair health include:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Low-calorie or crash diets
- Reduced thyroid hormone levels
- High levels of stress
- Use of blood thinners
- Certain prescription medications for heart conditions, depression, high blood pressure, and arthritis.
