Tips for Less Breakage and Healthier Hair

When the weather gets cold, we pull out our most moisturizing creams and our gentlest cleansers to protect our skin from the elements. But sometimes, we forget to protect our hair, even though it’s just as vulnerable when it’s cold and dry outside.

If you’re still learning how to make your hair grow faster, you’re not alone! With these tips, healthy growth and less breakage are possible, even in the colder months.

Before we talk about how to make your hair grow faster, it’s important to first understand what healthy hair looks like, because there’s more to look for than just a shiny appearance. Here are some surefire signs of a strong, healthy mane:

#1: Minimal Fallout
For most individuals, it’s completely normal to experience some hair fallout. That’s especially the case when shampooing for the first time in a few days, or when we comb out tangled strands before bed.

However, healthy hair shouldn’t undergo excessive fallout. So, keep an eye on your pillow at night. If you don’t see more than a few strands of hair on your pillow, there’s a good chance it’s growing just fine.

#2: Smooth Texture
Healthy hair is usually less prone to frizz, so try running your fingers through it. If it’s smooth to the touch and doesn’t feel weak, it’s another good sign for your hair care routine.

#3: Easy to Tame
When hair tangles easily, it’s a huge pain to sort out. Plus, tangling can make breakage worse. If you find that your hair is prone to tangling, try applying some leave-in conditioner, and comb it through with either your fingers or a wide-toothed comb.

#4: Bouncy Movement
When your hair is bouncy, it doesn’t just look great, it’s also a sign of strong elasticity. When hair has good elasticity, it’s a sign of good strength in the locks. To know if your hair is bouncy, try jumping in front of a mirror, paying attention to your hair. If it moves with you, it’s healthy and bouncy!

When you’re looking for how to make your hair grow faster, you’ll quickly find a ton of products claiming to help strengthen your hair. And while many of these products help, truly healthy hair starts with a healthy diet. For stronger, healthier hair, make sure to load your plate with the following plant-based foods:

Pumpkin
Pumpkin is basically a great source of edible retinol, which is great for not only your skin but your hair, too! These fall favorites are loaded with vitamin A, which helps to not only prevent hair loss, but helps with sebum production to keep the scalp healthy and moisturized.

Nuts
Nuts are already a wonderful source of healthy fats for when we need a filling snack on the go. And as it turns out, they’re great for healthy hair! Almonds are rich in magnesium, which can promote healthy hair growth and prevent breakage. Walnuts are loaded with biotin and omega-3 fatty acids.

Avocados
Who knew avocado toast helps when searching for how to make your hair grow faster? As a rich source of essential fatty acids and vitamin E, avocados may help promote gorgeous hair growth.

Spinach
One of the leading causes of hair loss is iron deficiency. Luckily, we can all take a page from Popeye and eat our spinach! Packed with nutrients like iron, folic acid, magnesium, and vitamins A and C, spinach can do a world of wonders for boosting hair growth.

Oats
Oats aren’t just a hearty breakfast, they’re also an excellent source of fiber, iron, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These nutrients help bolster hair growth while promoting thicker, healthier locks.

Just like our diet, our habits play a massive role in the state of our hair. And when we practice poor habits, it won’t matter what products we use when our hair is unhealthy. That’s why we’re finishing up here with some quick do’s and don'ts for how to make your hair grow faster, stronger, and longer.

Do: Massage Your Scalp
As many of us know, a good massage doesn’t just feel great, it can also work wonders for health and wellbeing. And for scalps, it was found in one 2016 study that 4 minutes of massage a day may help boost circulation, which can, in turn, strengthen and thicken your strands.

This is another helpful technique when looking for how to make your hair grow faster. To do so, you can use a scalp massager, a wooden-bristle brush, or even your hands!

Don’t: Use a Stripping Shampoo
Not all shampoos are created equal. Many of them can actually cause significant damage, acting more like a detergent than a cleanser. As a general rule, when looking into how to make your hair grow faster, avoid ingredients like ammonium lauryl sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate.

PRO TIP: You’ll never find harsh ingredients in our shampoos!

Do: Turn Down the Heat
We all love a steaming hot shower on a cold day. Our hair, however, isn’t as big a fan. Just like heat tools, excessively hot water can damage the hair from cuticle to tip.

For optimal hair shine, try lathering with lukewarm water instead. Finish with a cool rinse. It’s not as soothing as hot water, but trust us, your hair will love you for it!

Don’t: Condition Your Roots
Conditioner is a crucial step in any hair routine. But as with any good thing, too much can actually harm your hair. This is because conditioners are meant to target hair where it needs the most hydration: the ends. However, adding conditioner to the scalp can not only weigh down the hair but even clog follicles and disrupt hair growth.

Now that you know how to make your hair grow faster, check out our guide on how to take care of long hair!