THE HEALTHY HAIR SERIES: PART 1

Let us do deep dive into changing your hair routine to take your hair from dull, broken and dry, to hydrated, strong, and healthy hair. Here is some hair knowledge for you, that you can take into your hair routine to reach your hair goals.

How many washes should you have in your hair routine to keep it healthy?

This one is a biggie, and it’s a MYTH! Your oil production cannot be ‘trained’, and regular washes are good for your hair health, and won’t dry out your locks. The wash frequency can depend on your hair type and if you have oily hair, a daily wash may be necessary to keep oil and bacteria from building up. Washes are a healthy part of your hair routine.

Can I add steps to my hair routine, to make my hair grow faster?

Most of what your hair looks and feels like, including color and texture is determined the minute you are conceived, like we all learned in our science class in high school. Another lesser-known fact: the rate at which your hair grows, is mainly determined by genetics. Your genetics are completely out of our control and won’t change no matter how many products you rub into your scalp. However, good nutrition and staying hydrated can play a big part in hair growth and hair health.

Will trimming your hair will help it grow faster?

Now this is a common misconception, not because a regular trim isn’t good for your hair, but because the ‘why’ behind it is misunderstood. A routine hair trim will get rid of your dull broken ends, which decreases breakage and keeps your ends healthy and even. It will however NOT make your hair grow faster or grow in thicker.

Can I buy something to fix bald patches or grow more hair?

Yes! Although you must be careful with this one because there are very few ingredients proven to work. One that is easy to buy over the counter is rosemary oil and its effectiveness is thought to be close to that of Rogaine, a prescription drug with proven outcomes in increasing hair growth. There are also other options out there that your doctor can help with, to build a hair routine for hydrated, strong and healthy hair.

Is Post-Partum hair loss a real thing?

100% yes, it is. The post-partum stage as well as certain drugs and illnesses can cause as many as 70% of your scalp hairs to fall out, in about a 2 month period! This is known as Telogen effluvium, and usually clears up on its own.

Are there products you should add to your hair routine for hydrated, strong and healthy hair?

Nutrition and water intake are the most important to consider for your hair health. Once your body has the vitamins and minerals it needs to nourish your hair, there are good products out there, that can help your hair’s appearance from the outside, giving you that shiny beautiful look that you have been striving for. Listed are a few products for you to investigate and consider adding to your routine, depending on your hair’s needs:

Black Castor Oil: For that extra hydration (anti-inflammatory and a humectant, not recommended for everyday use because it’s a heavy oil)

Indian Gooseberry Oil (Amla Oil): great for overall hair health (proven to be toxic to hair parasites; effective in product concentrations at 7.5% and higher)

Jojoba Oil: Rich in vitamins C, B and E, copper, and zinc (moisture and hair strength; research does not show increase in hair growth however)

Argan Oil: Moisturizes, conditions, is anti-fungal and can protect from heat and color damage (good for hair as well as the scalp)

Almond Oil: used in Chinese medicine to treat a dry and flaky scalp (seborrheic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis) because of the natural antioxidants

Which supplements should I take for my hair?

Biotin supplements will not help your hair grow. Research shows that biotin supplementation offers very few benefits and is only beneficial when consumed naturally in our diets, so consider eating more foods rich in biotin, such as:

• Eggs
• Nuts
• Salmon
• Sweet Potato, mushrooms, carrots, tomatoes and onions
• Oats
• Cheese (Camembert and Blue cheese)

Collagen supplements are not proven to work, and it is unknown if it is properly absorbed in our bodies. However, it is recommended to consume foods in our diet that contain the amino acids that make up collagen, such as:

• Bone broth
• Unflavored gelatin
• Dairy, especially parmesan cheese
• Legumes
• Non-genetically modified soy, such as tofu
• Spirulina
• Animal sources, such as red meat, poultry, pork, fish and eggs.

Hair care tips to add in your routine, that make all the difference:

• Drink a lot of water
• Eat a balanced diet
• A regular wash, that takes your hair type into account
• Use a non-drying shampoo (avoid ingredients like parabens; alcohol, fragrance; silicone)
• Curly hair needs more hydration than straight hair
• Use a conditioner after each wash
• Use a hydrating hair oil
• Don’t use heated tools too often, try to limit it to once a week
• Use an anti-fungal hair oil for a flaky scalp
• Use a wide tooth comb and a gentle microfiber towel
• Sleep on a silk pillowcase
• Don’t sleep on wet hair