There’s no magic potion that will prevent us from
aging (unfortunately), but that doesn’t mean you can’t age gracefully. While
taking care of your skin will definitely help keep you looking younger and
healthier, it goes hand-in-hand with good hair care.
With age, hair becomes thinner, drier, duller, and
grayer. Luckily, these issues are a lot easier to manage than wrinkles, and you
can see the results quickly. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money to
implement these steps into your routine, and for the results, it’s well worth
it!
Take Supplements
As we age, we tend to have less of an appetite as
eating certain types of food can be difficult on our body and teeth. While it
might seem like you’re getting all of the vitamins and nutrients your body needs,
chances are good you have some nutritional gaps in your diet.
While it might not be as good as getting the nutrients directly from food, taking biotin vitamin supplements can help keep your body and hair healthy. Look for supplements that include:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B7
- Vitamin B3
These are all key to promoting hair growth and
strength. You should also make sure you’re getting an ample amount of protein
in your diet as hair is made from protein.
Get Regular Trims
No matter how well you take care of your hair, the
longer it gets, the more chance you have of damaging it. This is doubly true in
the winter when the dry cold air further dries out your hair. To maintain a
healthy mane, trim off a couple inches every 6 to 8 weeks.
If your hair is thinning, you should look into
hairstyles that can give you the appearance of a fuller head of hair.
Generally, shorter hairstyles tend to look better. There are plenty of sites
you can check out for a variety of styles. Find the one you like the best and
discuss it with your stylist for best results.
Splurge on Good Hair Products
Your hair deals with a lot of factors on a daily basis
– from the sun to wind to pollution to more! It’s no
wonder that it can look a bit dull if you don’t pay attention to it. There’s no
reason you have to spend a lot of money to keep it healthy and shiny, but you
should invest in some good products.
Shampoo and Conditioner
Look for cleansing
products that tout hydration and moisturizing. Avoid anything that contains
parabens, sodium laurel and laureth sulfate, and isopropyl alcohol.
Leave-In Conditioner
You don’t need to use it
every night, but a leave-in conditioner can really give your hair a boost in
hydration. Some even have UV protection.
Silk Pillowcase
While technically not a
hair product, a silk pillowcase leads to less tangles and snares, which means
less breakage.
Essential Oils
Used before or after a
shower (depending on the kind you get) essential oils provide your hair with
nutrients and a nice protective layer against the elements, leaving your locks
glossy and strong.
Brush Gently
There’s no reason to brush 100 strokes a day (and in
fact brushing too much can actually be damaging), but you should take the time
to brush your hair even if it’s short. A good brush can distribute the natural
oils from your scalp to your hair evenly, leaving it nice and shiny.
When brushing your hair, start at the ends of the
strands and work out any tangles/knots with your fingers first. After you have
gotten rid of any snags, use a soft boar bristle brush to work from your roots
to the ends.
A good brushing can help improve healthy blood flow,
which could encourage hair growth and thickness.
Avoid Drying Products
A lot of hairspray, gel, and mousse products contain
alcohol, which can make your hair dry and brittle. Luckily, there are plenty of
options nowadays that don’t contain these drying ingredients. Look for products
for curly hair as they tend to be more moisturizing or create your own DIY
holding products.
Cooler showers can also help in your battle against
dry hair. A hot shower might feel great, but it’s incredibly bad for your scalp
and your skin! If you’re used to hot showers, try to bring the temperature down
gradually as you get used to cooler water.
Reduce Stress
A big reason for hair loss is stress. Try to reduce
your stress levels as much as possible by taking up things like meditation,
yoga, or even deep-breathing exercises.
Set aside 30 minutes a day to clear your mind of
distractions and instead focus on mindfulness. You’ll walk away feeling more
refreshed and your hair and body will thank you.
See Your Doctor
If you’re experiencing serious hair loss, you should
absolutely reach out to your doctor to figure out the reason. Not only can they
offer treatments for hair loss, they can also check to see if there are medical
causes to this condition, such as anemia, autoimmune disorders, or side effects
to certain medications.
It might not seem like something serious, but you
won’t know unless you ask. And the sooner you learn the cause the better for
you.
What are some tips you’ve discovered for keeping your
mane healthy and happy? What supplements do you take for strong hair and nails?
Let’s discuss more in the comments below!
