How to grow healthy hair- 6 easy tips to help your hair grow
8 July 2024
How to grow healthy hair- 6 easy tips to help your hair grow
Growing healthy hair isn’t as tricky as you may think! There are a number of adverts out there showing you which supplements to use, or hair care range, there are even YouTube videos of homemade hair mask recipes, usually containing fresh ginger, that will stimulate growth. All of the previously mentioned sometimes work, sometimes they leave you feeling a little down hearted. This is why I have put together six easy ways of helping you grow healthy hair, no matter the length you desire!
Use a cotton t-shirt
Towel drying your hair can be damaging for the hair, yes believe me it’s true! Especially when hair is wet, the material and particles of the towel have a tendency to be too rough for the cuticles causing frizz and breakage. Using an old, clean cotton t-shirt will absorb any moisture from the hair without being too coarse to the hair resulting in the smooth, softer tresses. To dry your hair with a t-shirt you will need to do the following;
With freshly washed, wet hair. Flip your head forward, take the cotton t-shirt and wrap it around the hair, the same way you would use a towel
Allow the t-shirt to absorb the moisture no need to rub or shake and allow hair to air dry naturally.
When your hair is almost dry take it out of the t-shirt and allow to dry completely
To speed the drying up a little take smaller sections of your hair, hold the t-shirt of the section and gently squeeze.
By not rubbing or shaking the hair you are making the follicles of the hair smoother without any frizz!
Using a cotton t-shirt is a great way of drying your hair without having to use any heat, meaning your strands are healthy and stronger!
Don’t brush when it’s wet
Now this shocked me too when I heard this. But it turns out that brushing your hair whilst it’s still wet causes more breakages as it is weaker when still wet. After washing try leaving your hair to dry naturally and avoid touching it too much. Once it is full dry take a wide toothed brush and gently brush through the hair in sections. You will find this gives you less hair fall out and hair will look and feel a lot healthier.
Don’t wash your hair everyday
This may make some of your stomachs turn slightly, but hair prefers not to be washed every day, it doesn’t like it 5 times a week, or even 4. If you can reduce the number of times you wash your hair down to 2 times a week your hair will have the chance to rebalance itself. Washing hair too often can strip it of its natural oils causing it to become dry, unmanageable and frizzy. If you don’t know where to start when it comes to not washing your hair, we have another blog post with more information on how to not wash it for 5 days here.
Rinse it with cold water
First of all, there is no way of sugar coating this, rinsing your hair with cold water feels like hell. If you can grin and bare it and give your hair one final rinse with cold water you make the cuticles around your hair close quicker meaning your hair stays shiny, frizz-free and healthy in appearance for a longer amount of time, it also keeps your scalp cleaning meaning less risk of dandruff.
Use Coconut Oil
Yes, I know it seems as though coconut oil is used for absolutely everything. There is no denying the countless beauty benefits of using this oil, and growing healthy hair is another! No matter which sort of hair type you have, dry, greasy, flat, curly they all react well to coconut oil! It takes away frizz by smoothing the cuticles and rebalances out the natural of oils on your scalp.
For a replenishing sleep in hair mask here is what you can do;
Take coconut oil and warm it up in your hands
Apply melted oil to your dry hair massaging into the roots and down to the ends
Brush through to prevent any knots
Wrap hair in old t-shirt or microfibre hair towel to stop oil from ruining pillowcases
Wash hair as normal in the morning
Your hair will be super shiny and full of life, if your hair is particularly dry and unmanageable, apply this hair mask one a week.
Book in Regular Hair Cuts
It’s a cruel world, you want super long, healthy hair but can’t seem to get it passed a certain length before it become lip and starts breaking! Booking in regular haircuts could be the answer to your troubles, with a fresh trim giving the ends of your hair a tidy and riding them of split ends and giving the hair an all-over healthier appearance!
Yes, it may mean losing an inch or two, but your hair will thank you for it and look stunning!
Maintaining a good routine for your hair will allow it to stay in its best shape and appearance, which has been made a little easier I hope with these easy to follow tips, now go off and get those hair goals!
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.