My hair has been a HUGE issue for most of my life. My hair is thin and breaks super easy, and I don’t have much of it! I don’t dye it, but I did get perms when I was younger in a hopes that it would make it thicker. Truth is, it just harmed my hair more than anything. Then I was in showchoir which involved a lot of heat and chemicals to keep my hair in place while we were dancing. Hello damage and split ends! I’ve been trying out a lot of products and DIY tips to see what works and what doesn’t, and I’d love to share them with you all! Here are my 7 tips that have helped my hair grow long and strong 🙂
- No dying/perms/chemicals: I know this is going to be dang near impossible for some of you, but if you can help it, let your natural colors and curls or straight hair shine through! I don’t know much about hair dye, but I am sure there are some healthier ones out there. It might cost a little more money, but your hair will thank you!
- Monthly trims: I cannot stress how important this is and how much it helps. I used to NEVER trim my hair until my mom would basically force me to and even then, I would only let her take off the bare minimum. Now, I go every four weeks to get at least an inch and a half off. My hair is still prone to break ends, and this is the only sure fire way to get rid of them. Also, I know that haircuts can get pricey but since I am trying to grow my hair out and don’t have any layers, I just go to Great Clips for a basic trim. They haven’t let me down yet!
- Leave your split ends ALONE: If you’re like me, it is so tempting to pull your split ends apart. It’s definitely a guilty pleasure. My boyfriend and I like to see who can find the strand of my hair with the most split ends on it. haha! It is so much better to cut them off. Pulling split ends apart actually makes hair more prone to breakage and usually just causes more split ends.
- Virtue Labs: I used to use the cheap shampoo and conditioners and while they “cleaned” my hair, they also stripped my strands of the oil and nutrients they need to grow and stay strong. Virtue Labs is a company that has 100% natural products that are compromised mostly of Alpha Keratin 60ku which is a protein that makes up 90% of our hair, skin, and nails. I use the Full shampoo and conditioner and the split end serum. I have seen major changes in my split ends and damaged strands. My hair is thicker, longer, and definitely breaks less. Click here to start their hair diagnostic quiz to find which products would help you the most and order their products online. I personally will not be using any other products again. 🙂
- Coconut Oil: Since I usually shower in the mornings after my workouts, I usually dab a little coconut oil on my ends before I go to bed each night. My hair gets super oily very easily so this way, I get to leave it in for 7+ hours and then wash it out the next day. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer so it helps relieve dryness which can also cause split ends. Side note, I also try to use coconut oil or eggs to deep condition my hair every month. I either warm up the coconut oil or mix the eggs and apply it throughout all of my hair and then cover it with a shower cap from the dollar store. I try to leave it on for as long as possible, but I usually only manage an hour or so. But it still helps! When I apply it, I massage my scalp which helps blood flow and it helps get rid of any build up. I try to do it a little while after my monthly haircut.
- Combing, not brushing: I did not know that this mattered so much until this past year. I use to rip my brush through my hair and run out the door. Now I only use a wide tooth comb. This has helped my breakage so much because I don’t just tear my hair and rip out tangles like I did when I used a brush. Also, NEVER brush your hair when it’s wet!
- Hair Styles: Being a nurse, I am always throwing my hair up to get it out of my face and away from my patients. Between that and running, I began noticing a lot of breakage to the line in my hair where my tight ponytail or bun was. I’ve started to either leave it down as much as possible (barely ever possible at work) or wear a low ponytail or braid. It’s definitely making a difference for me!
Those are all of my tips for healthy, strong hair! I hope they help you too 🙂
Questions for you!:
- What are your favorite hair products and why?
- What tips do you have for keeping your hair healthy?