New Year’s resolutions are a great way to start the year off with a fresh slate. It gives you a chance to create new habits that will set you on a healthy and productive track for the New Year. If your anything like me one of those new year’s resolutions is to take better care of your hair, but you may not know where to start!
If that’s the case, here are some New Year’s resolutions that can get you off to a good start and ensure that 2022 is the best hair year yet!
Switch to natural products
Studies show that many of the ingredients in products commonly sold in stores are linked to health problems such as skin irritation, allergies, breathing problems, reproductive harm, and even cancer. While we can’t avoid all these toxins, we can have a lot more control over the products we choose to purchase and bring into our homes by familiarizing ourselves with some of the most common worst offenders, such as:
- Parabens
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
- Phthalates
- Triclosan and Triclocarban
- Fragrance
- Aluminum
- Propylene Glycol (PG) & Butylene Glycol
- Mineral Oil
- Formaldehyde
For more information on what these products do to your hair, check out my Common Chemicals Found in Hair Care Products article.
Keep in mind that taking care of your hair starts with the types of hair care products you invest in, so there’s no better time to re-evaluate the products we are using than the New Year and opt for products with natural ingredients such as avocados, honey, and coconut oil, etc., You can also make your DIY hair growth products at home with all-natural ingredients by following the recipes you find in this 5 Recipes for Hair Growth article.
And if you’re looking for more information, The MADE SAFE website is beneficial for general research about ingredients and products. MADE SAFE is also a great place to find solid recommendations for less-toxic brands. You can also look for their symbol on products when shopping. The MADE SAFE seal indicates that the product has passed rigorous standards and is made with safe ingredients.
Pump up the vitamins
The secret to long-term hair health is a diet rich in all the right vitamins. Feeding your hair with superfoods and vitamins will help to give your hair a healthy glow. For instance, your hair needs vitamin A to stay moisturized and grow, Vitamin E to prevent oxidative stress and boost hair growth, and Vitamin F, a mixture of two essential fatty acids: omega three and omega 6, to help to maintain a healthy and balanced scalp. Additionally, according to WEB MD, the following vitamins help to prevent hair loss:
- Biotin
Biotin (vitamin B7) is essential for cells inside your body. Most people get enough Biotin from their diet. You can find it in foods like egg yolks, whole grains, and meat. However, you may have low levels of Biotin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking certain antibiotics or epilepsy drugs. Low levels of Biotin can cause hair loss, skin rashes, and brittle nails.
- Iron
Red blood cells need iron to carry oxygen. Some foods that are naturally rich in iron include red meat (grass-fed), leafy greens, and legumes. You’re at risk for low iron if you’re a woman who gets heavy periods, you have a chronic disease, you’re a vegetarian or vegan. Low levels can cause iron-deficiency anemia. Symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, and hair loss.
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for your gut to absorb iron. Some good sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, leafy greens, and bell peppers. According to Megan Byrd, RD, “eating iron-containing foods at the same time as a food that contains vitamin C will help you better absorb the iron in that food.” Vitamin C benefits for your hair come from a necessary property within the vitamin that creates protein, known as, collagen. Vitamin C promotes hair health, reduces hair loss, and improves hair growth. However, a vitamin C deficiency can result in dry hair and split ends. Symptoms of vitamin C deficiency can also include fatigue, depression, and connective tissue defects (e.g., gingivitis, petechiae, rash, internal bleeding, impaired wound healing).
- Vitamin D
You might already know that vitamin D is essential for bones. But did you know that low levels of it are linked to hair loss? When you get sunlight, your skin makes vitamin D, but many people can’t get enough from the sun alone. You can boost your levels by eating fatty fish or drinking fortified milk. You can also ask your doctor to recommend a supplement. For example, taking magnesium with Vitamin D will enhance bioavailability. Furthermore, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density, contributing to osteoporosis and fractures (broken bones).
- Zinc
Zinc can play a crucial role in making proteins in your hair and other cells. Unfortunately, your body can’t make it, so you need to get it from food or supplements. Megan Byrd, RD, says you can get zinc from whole natural foods like shellfish, meat, beans, nuts, and seeds. However, you’re at risk for low zinc if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a bowel disease or severe diarrhea, or have kidney disease. Signs of low zinc levels include hair loss, poor wound healing, and a weak sense of taste or smell.
Additionally, Dendy Engelman, M.D., board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York City, says, “hair growth supplements are helpful for anyone who is experiencing hair loss, hair thinning, or for those who just want thicker or longer hair.” Because when you take an oral supplement, it is absorbed in the bloodstream, where it nourishes all cells, including your hair follicles. She goes on to say that, “hair thrives on protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, which support hair structure and growth and moisturize the scalp, among other functions. However, if you are not getting enough nutrients from your diet, supplements can increase low levels.”
You can find vitamins for your hair at your local grocery stores. As well as hair care products enriched with hair oils, including Vitamins A, E & F, which can help give you the extra nourishment you need. If you are not big on taking vitamins, making sure you get them through the foods you eat is essential. Foods like salmon, whole grains, eggs, and nuts are beneficial for hair growth.
Indulge in Weekly treatments
This new year, indulge in some new and natural hair rituals, such as using a hair mask or hair cream, which will help strengthen, moisturize & condition your hair from root to tip, giving you lush, silky, and healthy hair. I suggest using a hair treatment once a week and letting it sit in your hair for 10 to 15 minutes for the best results.
For Hair Growth, try this mask on for size (but please do not use ingredients if you are allergic):
- Grind the 7-8 hibiscus leaves and add 1/4th cup curd, 2 tbsp almond oil, or coconut oil to form a fine paste.
- Apply a thick layer all over your scalp and hair.
- After 15 minutes, wash off with cool water followed by a conditioner.
This enhances hair growth and leaves the scalp clean and healthy.
Also, remember that oil is great for your hair!
Oil nourishment gives your hair certain minerals, vitamins, and essential fatty acids that don’t just strengthen your roots but also boost the overall health of your hair. Oil-based shampoos contain oils that penetrate the hair shaft to help repair the hair’s internal structure while simultaneously cleansing and nourishing it. Try finding a shampoo with natural, unique, and exotic ingredients like Hibiscus, Avocado, or Shea Butter as well as natural oils such as coconut and almond oil to help boost hair growth.
The Takaway
The big takeaway is that taking care of your hair starts with the types of foods you eat, hair care products you invest in, and how you treat your hair. Eat more vegetables, invest in hair care products that have natural ingredients, and use an occasional hair mask to help strengthen, moisturize & condition your hair from root to tip.
Additionally, Spend more time with your family. Go to yoga. Pick up a new hobby—bike to work. Work on mindfulness for 30 minutes a day or whatever your New Year’s resolutions are this year but remember that putting excessive pressure on yourself to accomplish them is not healthy. According to Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D., “no matter what the specific change you’re attempting, New Year’s resolutions can be stressful if tackled with the traditional method of setting a high goal and trying to attain it immediately” If you fail and give up it can be stressful, but if you’d like to maintain resolutions with less stress, try to create a different format for your goals.
Take baby steps, build in rewards for your progress, like going to a nice dinner or seeing a movie with friends if you accomplish the goal of switching to natural hair care products.
You’ll reach your destination in no time by making minor changes you will see tremendous success with less stress.