If you want the healthiest, strongest hair, your locks need proper nourishment. A holistic routine is your best bet for getting there. Like your body, your hair needs care inside and out. Focusing on only one or the other won’t give you the lustrous shine you crave. Let’s take a look at what you can do for your body and hair to get (and keep) the healthiest hair possible.
All Over Care
Think about all the things your body needs to be healthy and strong. Those same things come with major benefits for your hair. Start from within and maintain a balanced, nutritious diet. Protein-rich foods like lean meats, legumes, nuts, and seeds have all the right building blocks for strong, healthy hair. Nuts, seeds, whole grains, and leafy greens are excellent sources of biotin – another vital component for gorgeous hair. These foods keep your body and hair at their best:
- Carrots
- Sweet Potatoes
- Spinach
- Berries
- Citrus Fruits
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Fish
- Leafy Greens
Diet alone may not give you the level of nutrients you need, so supplements make a great addition. Vegan biotin supplements, vitamins A, C, and E, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids play a big role in hair health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle significantly impacts your hair’s health. Focus on getting a good night’s sleep, exercising regularly, and reducing your stress levels. You’ll be rewarded with a healthier scalp, quicker growth, and a shiny, strong head of hair.
With nutrition and lifestyle out of the way, you can focus on adopting an excellent external hair care routine. Use gentle shampoos and conditioners formulated for your hair type for the best results. Limit heat styling, too, as it may damage your hair and throw off the moisture balance. Speaking of moisture, hair masks and treatments that contain ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, and argan oil provide hydration and deep moisture for each strand of hair.
Regular trims also encourage growth and are the best way to eliminate split ends and stop breakage in its tracks. They’re a necessity for healthy growth, even though it might sound strange to cut your hair for the sake of growing it! Be sure to protect your hair from sun exposure and pollution, too, as both can cause damage and leave hair looking (and feeling) unhealthy.
Nourishing your hair requires consistency and patience. It doesn’t happen overnight. But by adopting a full-body approach that includes a nutrient-rich diet, good care practices, and a healthy lifestyle, you’ll nourish your hair at every level. Your efforts are richly rewarded – you’ll feel great and have vibrant, stunning locks to show for it.
To build on the ideas above, take a look at the five most influential ingredients for your hair. These ingredients all play a major role in your hair’s appearance and its underlying health.
Vegan Biotin
Biotin, which is also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, is a water-soluble vitamin with a role in many different bodily functions. It’s found in animal and plant-based foods, such as eggs, dairy, meat, fish, nuts, seeds, legumes, and leafy greens. Vegan biotin is simply a plant-based source of the vitamin, meaning no animal products are used to create it. It’s perfect for anyone sticking to a vegetarian or vegan diet, and it’s made by extracting the vitamin from various plant sources instead of relying on animal-derived products.
If you’ve heard of biotin, it’s likely concerning its role in supporting healthy hair, skin, and nails, but it’s essential for your body, too. Biotin supports energy levels and metabolism, and it bolsters the enzymes that break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It’s also essential in maintaining a healthy nervous system and synthesizing certain other nutrients your body needs. In other words, it’s fantastic for your hair, but it does so much more!
Because Biotin is involved in several metabolic processes that are essential for the growth and maintenance of hair follicles, it helps your hair in several ways.
- Biotin helps convert nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, into energy that is necessary for cell growth and replication. This energy production is crucial for the rapid division of cells in the hair follicles, leading to hair growth.
- It strengthens hair strands by contributing to the production of keratin, a protein that makes up the structure of hair, nails, and skin. Maintaining healthy biotin levels helps strengthen the hair shaft, making it less prone to breakage, splitting, and damage.
- Biotin can improve the thickness and volume of hair strands. By supporting the production of keratin, biotin helps increase the diameter of individual hair fibers, resulting in thicker and fuller-looking hair.
- It supports a healthy scalp environment by regulating the production of sebum, the natural oil produced by the scalp, which can prevent dryness and flakiness.
- Hair loss and hair thinning have been linked to Biotin deficiency. By ensuring sufficient biotin levels, you’ll minimize the risk of hair loss and support overall hair health.
While biotin has a significant role in hair health, don’t take it as a magical solution for any and every problem with your hair. Other factors play a role, too. Genetics, hormones, nutrition, hair products, and styling tools all contribute to the health and appearance of your hair. Some issues, like severe hair loss, scalp issues, or any other concerning developments should be discussed with a healthcare professional or dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Biotin is only one piece of the hair care puzzle.
If you are considering taking vegan biotin supplements, it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. They’ll help determine the appropriate dosage and ensure that it aligns with your health goals and dietary needs.
Vitamin C
Along with biotin, vitamin C plays a significant role in supporting healthy hair in several different ways.
- It aids in the production of collagen, which is a protein that forms the structural component of our hair, providing strength and elasticity. It maintains the integrity of the hair follicle supporting hair growth.
- Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, too, and protects hair follicles and cells from damage due to oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Failing to stop that damage may lead to weakened hair and even hair loss.
- This versatile vitamin also aids in the absorption of iron. Iron deficiency may lead to hair thinning, along with other health problems, but vitamin C boosts absorption from plant-based sources like spinach or lentils.
- Scalp health is also tied to vitamin C, which helps keep blood circulating to the scalp and moves nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a natural fat derived from the nuts of the shea tree, which is native to Africa. It has been used for centuries for its moisturizing and healing properties. It’s particularly well-suited for nourishing and supporting healthy hair, thanks to its high concentration of vitamins A and E, essential fatty acids, and other nutrients. Shea butter moisturizes the hair and provides deep hydration to combat dryness and brittleness. It also acts as a natural sealant to lock in moisture and prevent its loss through hair strands.
Additionally, shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties and soothes the scalp, reducing irritation. It can help alleviate conditions such as dry scalp, dandruff, and itchiness thanks to its help in maintaining a healthy scalp environment.
Shea butter also supports hair follicle health and encourages hair growth. Its emollient properties make it an excellent choice for those with damaged or chemically treated hair, as it can help repair and strengthen the hair shaft. Regular use of shea butter can result in softer, smoother, and more manageable hair, while also giving stunning shine and luster.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant known for its thick and fleshy leaves that contain a gel-like substance. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and skincare due to its numerous health benefits, as it’s rich in several vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes. As far as hair care goes, aloe vera promotes healthy hair growth and helps in maintaining overall hair health.
First, aloe vera’s moisturizing properties help hydrate the hair and scalp, preventing dryness and itchiness. The gel-like consistency it’s known for creates a protective barrier on the hair strands to seal in moisture and cut down on frizz.
Aloe vera also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for individuals with scalp conditions such as dandruff or scalp irritation. It can help reduce redness, itching, and inflammation, promoting a healthier scalp environment for optimal hair growth.
Moreover, aloe vera contains enzymes that contribute to the removal of dead skin cells from the scalp. This helps unclog hair follicles and allows for better nutrient absorption, both of which reduce hair loss and promote new, healthy growth. Thanks to this plant’s rich nutrient content, which includes zinc, magnesium, vitamins A, C, E, and others, aloe vera reduces breakage and repairs damage, too.
You can use aloe vera by extracting the gel from its leaves and applying it directly to your hair and scalp. You’ll also find it in many hair care products, including shampoos, conditioners, and masks. With regular use, you’ll enjoy softer, shinier, more manageable hair and a healthier scalp.
Tea Tree Oil
Speaking of a healthy scalp, if you suffer from itching or flaking, you’ll love tea tree oil! Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the tea tree plant, and it’s a potent essential oil prized for its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. People have enjoyed tea tree oil for centuries, and you’ll find it throughout history in traditional medicine and skincare.
As far as tea tree oil and your hair go, this fantastic oil reduces inflammation, itching, flaking, and similar conditions thanks to its antimicrobial properties. It helps fight fungal and bacterial issues, like scalp infections, and thoroughly cleanses your scalp. Say goodbye to all that excess dirt, oil, and buildup. By using tea tree oil, you’ll promote a healthier scalp environment and support optimal hair growth conditions.
Tea tree oil also regulates oil production, so it’s ideal for oil scalps. Balancing the amount of oil prevents clogging in the hair follicles and encourages growth. It also stimulates blood circulation in the scalp, which further supports hair growth.
By incorporating diluted tea tree oil into your hair care routine, you’ll be maintaining a balanced scalp and helping your hair grow longer, healthier, and more beautiful.
Chamomile
Chamomile is an herb famed for its soothing and calming properties, and its numerous benefits have been prized for centuries in medicine and skincare. You’ll find it in everything from beauty products to tea, thanks to its many calming, helpful properties.
What makes chamomile so special for your hair? It contains essential oils and antioxidants that help nourish and condition the hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and manageable. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with blonde or light-colored hair as it can naturally lighten and brighten those tones. If you suffer from an irritated, itchy scalp or conditions like dandruff, chamomile’s anti-inflammatory properties are quite soothing.
You can find chamomile in hair rinses, shampoos, or hair masks. Don’t be shy about using it to promote a healthy scalp environment and leave your hair feeling refreshed and cared for!
It’s Time to Take Action
It’s time to take charge of your hair! By implementing these essential ingredients into your daily routine, along with embracing a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, you’ll see transformative results.
Remember, consistency and patience are key. Your hair deserves the best, which means nourishing it on the outside as well as within. Through dedication and care, you’ll achieve the vibrant and strong hair of your dreams! Start your healthy hair journey now!
