5 Tips for Healthier Hair
This post is sponsored by Waterl<ss.
Washing Less
Washing your hair can strip it of its natural oils, and when you strip your hair of its natural oils, it jumpstarts oil production.
Fortunately, you can actually train your hair to be less greasy over time by spacing out your washes. Every hair type is different, and it’s harder for those of us with fine hair, but it’s definitely possible and if you stick with it for a few weeks you’ll start to see serious progress! Honestly, right now is the perfect time to do it because most of us don’t really have anywhere to go or anyone to impress.
I used to wash my hair every other day, but as my life got busier and I learned more about hair health, I knew I wanted to train it. Now I always go at least 3 days between washes and can often go 4 days! I never thought it would be possible with my fine hair, but I love it! Not only has it improved the health of my hair, but it also saves me time and conserves water.
When you decide to go for it, just dive in. Have a couple of different ways to wear your hair “up” (cute headbands and hair scarves help too), and make sure you have the right products to extend nice looking hair. Which brings me to...
Using Dry Shampoo & Dry Conditioner
Dry shampoo and dry conditioner have changed my hair game. As my hair gets dirtier my roots get oily and my ends get ratty and dry. Enter the perfect pairing: dry shampoo and dry conditioner.
I feel like dry shampoo gets all the love (and rightfully so), but dry conditioner is also amazing and should not be overlooked. Where your dry shampoo absorbs oil at your roots, a dry conditioner brings shines and smoothness back to the bottom of your hair.
Lately I’ve been using the Dry Shampoo and Dry Conditioner by Waterl<ss, which is an awesome brand created to improve the non-wash day experience for diverse hair types. Created in South Africa, it helped women to still feel beautiful while going longer between washes during Cape Town’s water crisis of 2018, when the city was just three months away from running out of water. What a story. Their products are designed to give you clean, conditioned and nice smelling hair while conserving water!
The No-Residue Dry Shampoo is designed for fine and oily hair and is really easy to work into my roots. From there I spray the bottom half of my hair with the Weightless Smooth Dry Conditioner and comb it with a wide-tooth comb. I swear this instantly transforms my hair from semi-greasy, tangled bed head into smooth, shiny goodness. I typically just touch up a few curls or style it in an easy up-do and it saves me so much time in the mornings, while feeling like my hair is clean.
Even though I’m rarely leaving the house these days, it’s made me feel so much better to have nice-looking hair by using these products between washes.
You can grab them online at Target!
Eating a Clean, Nutrient-Rich Diet
This is so important for our health for many reasons, but today I’ll focus on foods that nourish our hair from the inside out! Healthy hair (and skin and nails) starts from within.
Of note: since shifting my diet to include more healthy fats and protein, I’ve definitely noticed a shift in my hair health and growth time.
Here are some amazing foods to incorporate for healthy hair:
Avocado
Raw nuts (like walnuts and almonds)
Seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin, chia, flax and more)
High quality meat
Fatty fish (salmon!)
Dark, leafy greens (especially spinach)
Eggs (free-range if you can)
Berries
Sweet potatoes
Legumes
Collagen
Not Sleeping on Wet Hair
For years I’ve been guilty of showering right before bed and going to sleep with wet hair. However, our hair is at its weakest when wet, so this can actually put a strain on your hair, causing breakage.
For the past few months I’ve been testing either washing my hair in the afternoon or earlier in the evening so it can air dry for a while, or rough drying at least 50% before getting in bed. I’ve noticed less breakage and split ends, along with better texture.
My next step is upgrading to a silk pillowcase!
Massaging Your Scalp
Massaging your scalp stimulates the hair follicles, strengthens your roots, and enhances blood circulation. It also feels incredible and I find it relieves tension (less stress = happier hormones and better health)! I’m sure there are some amazing techniques for this, but I’ve begun by simply massaging my scalp when shampooing and dry shampooing rather than rushing through. Scalp exfoliation and scalp treatments are also great. This bit of extra care and attention is really enjoyable, and I look forward to seeing the long-term hair benefits as well!
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There are so many more tips that could be included, but these have really contributed to improving the health of my own hair!
Have any tips of your own to share? I would love to learn from you!
