The Secret to Healthy, Thick Hair

Receding hairlines, hair thinning, and hair loss- as we age, we begin to notice that our hair strands are not as healthy or strong as they used to be. Because of this, we’re constantly trying out new products in hopes that it’ll save our once gorgeous locks. From vitamin supplements to paraben or sulfate-free shampoos, you’ve probably tried out all sorts of things to get your hair looking happy & healthy again. You’re in luck though, because we’re giving you the inside scoop on how to maintain and grow healthy, thick hair.

Root of the Problem

To figure out why your hair may be thinning or falling in the first place, we’ve got to figure out the root of the problem (yes, pun intended). While rapid hair loss could be an inherent trait, sometimes external factors may be involved. Some of these factors include:

• Split Ends-

If you don’t regularly trim or cut your hair, you may be prone to split ends. To counteract this, you should get a quarter-inch trim every 8-12 weeks to keep your ends in one piece. Keep in mind that fine, curly hair tends to split more easily compared to other hair textures.

• Extensions-Extensions, regardless of what type, can actually end up damaging your hair. Over time, these add-ons can pull on your hair follicles causing injury and slowing hair growth. 
• Bleach-
• If you tend to color your hair a lot, you’ve probably heard everyone warn you about the use of bleach. While bleaching chemicals like peroxide and ammonia are commonly used to lift the hair cuticles and remove pigment, it can heavily dry out your hair strands leaving them parched & brittle. To avoid this, condition at least 3 times weekly.

• Stress-
• Did you know that stress and anxiety can increase your cortisol levels? It’s true. In turn, the nerve cells release a chemical that can negatively affect the growth and resting phase of your hair follicles!
• Medications-
• Some antidepressants like Zoloft can have an effect on your hair growth as well. Common contraceptives and thyroid medications can actually shorten and delay hair growth. If you’re noticing this, talk to your doctor about possible alternatives.

Hair Helpers

Once you’ve pinned down the reason behind your hair problems, it’s time to figure out what you can do to help. Here are some things you can do to improve your hair:

• Diet-
• What you eat can play a large part in your hair growth. Eating a balanced diet that includes both protein and iron can increase hair cell turnover and combat common hair loss conditions like Androgenic Alopecia. 
• Supplements-
• While more research needs to be done, hair supplements like biotin won’t hurt. If anything, these vitamins can give you the extra boost if you’re finding yourself eating poorly.
• Scalp Treatments-
• More often than not, the build-up of dirt, dead skin cells, and product build-up is the reason why your hair may not appear voluminous or healthy. You can fix this by treating your scalp to clarifying shampoos at least once a week.