10 Tips for a Smooth, Shiny & Strong Hair

Different factors affect how silky, strong and healthy your hair is. It all depends on how well you take care of your hair. We all want strong and healthy hair but it needs proper care and nourishment. Just by following the right steps you can have the hair you have always dreamt about.

From eating the right nutrients rich diet, to regularly oiling your hair, here are some simple healthy habits you can use to encourage hair growth, stronger and shinier hair.

• Trim your hair every two to three months

Haircuts help maintain hair health. Although it seems the last thing, you would consider when you are trying to grow your hair. However, trimming your hair every two to three months while growing it out, actually encourage hair growth by getting rid of split ends, breakage, and damaged hair. Trimming ensure minimal split ends or breakage and results in fuller and healthier hair.

• Comb every day

Combing every day is good for your hair. Lightly massage your scalp every day or so with a wooden-bristle brush to stimulate the hair growth. Pressure applied by wooden-bristle brush activates blood circulation to the hair follicles.

• Use Sulfate-Free shampoo

Sodium lauryl sulfate and Sodium dodecyl sulfate are the common foaming agents present in many commercial shampoos. These are the harmful ingredients which are harsh in nature. Frequent use of high concentration of sulfates has been linked to stripping away the natural moisture and hair protein. Sulfate free shampoo strengthens your hair by preventing the damage.

• Don't stress OUT

You must have noticed that your start losing your beautiful hair strands the moment you feel stressed. Relax! Nothing more can me more dangerous than stress to your hair.

• Oil your hair (Sophie's fav)

Nourish your hair frequently with natural oils. Take equal amount of coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil and massage gently for 10-15minutes. (or just one if you have one fav!) Massage the scalp then your hair strands. Leave it overnight, so that each strand soaks up the oil. Wash with shampoo and conditioner the very next day. If leaving overnight is not possible, you should leave the oil for at least 45mins, the longer you leave the better will be the results. However you should not leave it more than 24hrs. Never go out with oiled hair as it attracts dirt, pollution and, grease that makes your hair weak and affect overall your hair health.

• Rinse your hair with Diluted Apple Cider Vinegar (Ellie's fav)

White or apple cider vinegar makes hair silky and shiny. Take one part of vinegar and two parts of water for normal type hair; rinse your hair with this mixture after shampoo and conditioner. Dont worry your hair will not smell of vinegar! :) Your hair will be shinier and silkier than ever before.

If your hair is oily then take one part vinegar and one part water. If your hair is dry, add a little more water. In any case, use diluted vinegar, never use concentrated vinegar as this may dry our your hair and be more prone to breakage.

This method is also a very  good routine for itchy scalp.

• Always apply Conditioner after Shampoo

The primary function of the shampoo is to clean the hair, focussing mainly on the scalp. It removes any excess oil, dirt or unwanted build-up. While cleaning, shampoo often dries the hair making it frizzy, tangles and hard to manage. Untangling your hair may lead to hair fall.

The conditioner works on hair strands, it forms a coating on the hair cuticle, locking the hair moisture and smoothen the hair, it protects hair from dirt and pollution, leaving a shiny finish.

Use a hair mask, at least, once every 10days.

Natural treatments:

Make your own hair mask for a deep, nourishing treatment every two weeks. Whisk an egg yolk and mix with half a mashed avocado and a spoonful of honey. Massage onto damp, clean hair and leave for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Or, make a mayonnaise with an egg yolk and olive oil (this is by far our favourite!)  Massage the scalp and your hair stands. Leave it on for at least 45 minutes. Follow with your normal washing routine.

On another note, Sophie once did a hair mask with a banana, we DONT recomment it, it took her half a day to remove the banana bits from her hair :)))

• Don't sleep with your hair Tied-Up

Sleeping with your hair tied-up for almost 7-8 hours can put a strain on your scalp, weaken the roots which may lead to hair damage and hair fall. You already know that body repairs when we sleep.

When you are tieing up your hair, you are preventing your hair from natural repair. So don't put a strain on your hair and let it BREATHE.

• Eat Well
  

Hair gets profoundly affected by what you eat. Your diet should be rich in protein, biotin, iron, and omega-3 fats. Protein promotes hair growth because hair follicles are made up of mostly protein called Keratin. Biotin and iron prevent hair loss, and omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, nourish your hair, and promote hair growth. If your diet is in lack of any of these crucial nutrients, your hair gets severely affected.

• Take a break from hot styling tools

Excessive use of hot styling tools is causing some of the most badly damaged and worst conditioned hair. The longer you take a break from your styling tools, the more you'll start to see the texture your hair starting to change.

A variety of factors can alter the normal hair growth cycle and cause hair loss including medication, exposure to chemicals and toxins such as nicotine, hormonal factors, thyroid disease, stress or nutritional factors.

Your hair needs a little care and nourishment to look its best. Your eating habits and your daily routine habits affect your hair health. Taking care of your hair inside out gives you the best results. Eating right nutrients and keeping your stress levels to a minimum will internally nourish your hair while oiling your hair regularly, moisturising and rinsing your with vinegar will protect your hair and give your shiny and healthy hair.

Love,

Sophie & Ellie xx