12 Easy Ways To Healthy Hair According To A Dermatologist

Bad hair days are a pain; it's a beauty truth. When your hair is in good condition, it surely appears nicer, and the possibilities of this happening are significantly less likely or, at the very least, less often.

The problem is that your strands are continually prone to hair damage, including dullness, thinning, dryness, breaking, frizz, and other issues. With all of these potential strand pressures, it's no surprise that maintaining healthy hair takes effort. While there is no secret shortcut to healthier hair, spending the time to maintain strands strong is well worth the effort. Maintaining excellent hair can be simple with a few little changes to your routine.

Dr Niketa Sonavane, Celebrity Dermatologist in Mumbai and founder of Ambrosia Aesthetics gives her haircare pro-tips to help you build healthy habits in your haircare routine for great hair days ahead!

1. Brush your hair before getting into the shower.

Taking 60 seconds to untangle strands will keep them strong no matter what your hair structure is. "Your hair is more sensitive to breakage while it's damp," Dr Sonavane advises, "so always brush knots out of your hair when it's dry." Another advantage of brushing dry hair is that it distributes natural oils from your scalp to the ends of your hair. Another advantage: it's already smooth and ready to style after a shower!

2. Use hair conditioner correctly.

Unless your hair is lengthy and Rapunzel-like, a nickel-sized drop of conditioner will suffice for most textures and lengths.

"Apply conditioner to the mid-shaft and ends of your hair first, then work your way up to the scalp," Dr Sonavane suggests. It's critical to keep your scalp hydrated as well. Allow it to sit for a full minute before removing it.

3. Schedule time for hair masks.

"Use a hydrating hair mask or deep conditioner at least once a week, and more frequently if you use hot tools frequently," adds Dr Sonavane, to maintain strands hydrated and smooth Shea Moisture Manuka Honey Hair Mask, which leaves hair smooth and lustrous without weighing it down, is her go-to.

4. Look at the ingredient list.

Looking down the haircare aisle can be overwhelming: with so many options, how do you choose the right one? As you choose your products, narrow them down by seeking for strengthening components that will nourish your strands. Dr Sonavane recommends including coconut oil, Argan oil, aloe vera, or spirulina in your routine.

5. Consume a well-balanced diet.

You're probably aware that you are what you consume. "Because your hair is largely formed of protein, consuming a well-balanced diet of protein-rich foods is essential," Dr Sonavane adds. Add the following products to your shopping list: Fish, Meat, Eggs, Beans.

Berries, spinach, and avocados are all fantastic sources of hair food, as are foods high in vitamins C and E, which help promote collagen formation and produce in stronger strands.

6. Take a long, deep breath.

Breathe in via your nose and out through your mouth. The smallest details make a tremendous difference. "Your hair is an outgrowth of your body; if you are anxious, your skin, including your scalp, will be agitated."

7. Reduce the temperature of your shower.

While a steamy show may seem calming, "having an extremely hot shower on a daily basis might irritate your scalp and possibly weaken your hair as it grows out," explains Dr Sonavane. Preserve healthy hair by keeping the temperature on the warm side and finishing with a fast cold-water rinse to seal the cuticles tight, improve shine, and maintain healthy hair.

8. Protect the strands from the sun.

Pollution, like UV radiation, causes damage to more than just your skin. "Apply a leave-in styler to protect your strands" when styling your hair, adds Dr Sonavane. She suggests the antioxidant-rich Coola Organic Scalp and Hair Mist SPF 30, which protects against a wide range of environmental hazards.

9. Don't forget about your scalp.

A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. "If you have dryness, irritation, or any scalp disorders, your hair will suffer," adds Dr Sonavane. Dr Sonavane suggests her long-time go-to for clarifying the scalp, Apple Cidar Vinegar rinse, to maintain a balanced scalp.

10. Sleep on silk sheets.

Make the most of your beauty sleep by switching from a cotton pillowcase to a silk pillowcase. "It protects the cuticle of your hair by reducing friction between your hair and the cloth," Dr Sonavane explains. 

"Sleep with your hair in a loose topknot—secured with a silk scrunchie—or try a low loose braid if you have thick or textured hair to offer you more control of your strands during the night."

11. Style smarter.

To avoid heat damage, "invest in professional hot tools with ionic technology, which will infuse moisture into your hair as you style," she advises. Also, choose a curling iron or straightener with a solid ceramic rather than a teflon coating: "This will spread heat evenly onto your hair, locking in your style quickly so you don't need to re-apply the iron repeatedly to attain your desired appearance," Dr Sonavane adds. When employing hot tools, follow her wise steps:

If nothing else, use a heat protectant spray before applying heat to your hair to protect it from potential harm. Cold pressed Argan oil is Dr Sonavane's top pick.

Allow your hair to air dry as much as possible before blow drying. If you have curly or wavy hair, draw it back into a tight bun on day one, then shape it with an iron the next day.

Alter the way you use your hot tools: Blow dry your hair after shampooing; on day two, use a curling iron or straightener; and on day three, smooth strands back to avoid heat styling. Then, repeat the process.

12. Get your hair cut.

Regular haircuts are necessary to keep your strands healthy and prevent them from breaking off at the ends. If you don't want to lose a lot of length, ask your hairdresser for a "dusting," in which only the tips are trimmed, removing damaged ends while keeping the length. Dr Sonavane suggests going every three months, but if you have a short or defined cut, you may need to go in sooner.