Little-Known Tips And Tricks For Strong And Healthy Hair

With so many steps in our beauty routines, it can be easy to overlook certain aspects. However, if there’s one thing many of us have learned, it’s that our hair can be a real savior when it comes to our confidence and feeling of being able to express ourselves.

That’s why the hacks to get the strongest, longest hair of your life could be just the thing so many need. After all, looking after our locks is key to keeping them healthy. Sometimes, we just need a nudge in the right direction.

Neutral caffeine shampoo could be one of the best at-home hair loss prevention techniques

A cup of coffee in the morning is just the thing so many of us need to get going. What about using some of that caffeine to help your hair become stronger and longer than ever? No, you don’t have to worry about sacrificing your coffee, but investing in some neutral caffeine shampoo could be the thing your locks need.

The idea is that caffeine helps to stimulate hair growth, with many claiming that they see results from as little as a few weeks of adding this to their hair care routine. Others argue that caffeine shampoo is better at preventing hair loss than it is at making hair regrow. Whatever the case, research is still ongoing.

Clean your hairbrushes to avoid adding unwanted grease into your hair

Many of us have figured out a good hair-washing routine throughout the years, with each hair type and lifestyle determining how much we need to lather up and wash away those natural oils. Just because we keep our hair clean doesn’t mean we’re doing everything we can to prevent dirt from immediately getting back onto our scalp.

That’s right; we’re talking about dirty hair brushes. The chances are most of us use our brushes every day, with them picking up dirt and oil every time we run them through our locks. Not cleaning our brushes regularly with soap and water could mean we’re just adding dirt back onto our hair as soon as we detangle our locks.

Regular DIY deep conditioners can help our hair to stay stronger for longer

Determining your hair type can go a long way when learning how to look after your locks. After all, some hair types - such as curly hair - tend to be a lot drier than others. Still, having naturally oily hair doesn’t mean you should be skipping out on a deep conditioning mask every now and then.

The best bit? You don’t even have to worry about heading to the store to invest in a brand-new bottle of the latest trending conditioner. While there are several great options available at the store, ingredients like eggs, avocado, Greek yogurt, shea butter, and coconut oil can all be used to make an at-home mask in a pinch.

Avoid super hot water to prevent a dry scalp and brittle hair

The idea of sliding into a hot bath or steaming away in a more than cozy shower at the end of a long day can be a tempting thought, especially as the temperature starts to drop and we want a way to warm up from within. Sadly, you could be doing a lot more harm than good.

Super hot water can over-strip your hair and scalp of all its natural oils. While removing a certain amount helps our hair to feel clean again, taking away too many of these oils can leave our hair feeling brittle and our scalps dry. Plus, removing that hair and scalp barrier can make your skin more sensitive to allergens and irritants.

A cool rinse can help reduce frizzy hair that’s prone to breakage

On the other end of the water temperature debate is the idea of using cool water to rinse your hair as a final step before you jump out of the shower. Even if we opt for lower temperatures while washing, the steam from a bath or shower can be enough to open up our hair’s cuticles.

This, in turn, can lead to hair that’s more susceptible to damage and feels more brittle. Instead, it could be time to use a cool rinse at the end of your hair wash to ensure everything is sealed up as it should be from root to tip. You don’t have to stand entirely under the water - simply rinse your hair.

Green tea can prevent hair loss and strengthen existing hair

Did you know that green tea has been linked to a host of health benefits? While plenty think of drinking a cup or two throughout the day to reap the rewards, it could be time to add it to your hair care routine if you want your locks to get the full bonuses. Plus, it doesn’t have to be hard.

Simply brew up your favorite green tea and gently work it into your hair, starting at the scalp and working through the lengths. Being such a great natural antioxidant means it can quickly remove any buildup of bacteria at our roots. Plus, being filled with biotin and water-soluble vitamin B could prevent further hair loss and strengthen existing hair strands.

Try to avoid sun damage to help your hair remain as healthy as possible

There are so many reasons we should avoid sun damage as much as possible. As well as the effects it can have on our skin and the increased risk of things like skin cancer, it turns out that extended sun damage could be greatly affecting our hair, too. One of the biggest threats is the breakdown of natural lipids.

Our hair is naturally filled with a type of fat, with sun damage breaking this down and meaning our hair loses natural moisture. This can quickly lead to frizzy and thinning hair, meaning our scalp is more exposed and, therefore, more likely to get sunburned. Instead, try opting for a scalp sunscreen and wearing a hat whenever you’re outside.

Let your hair fully dry before tying it up to avoid breakage

Wetting our hair does a lot more than, well, make it wet. It actually causes our hair to become more elastic, putting our locks into an incredibly fragile state. That’s why it’s so important to be as delicate as possible at this stage. That means avoiding pulling brushes through our hair, as any knots can cause breakage.

There’s also something else to add to the list of things not to do to your hair if you want the strongest, longest hair of your life: tie it up while it’s wet. Pulling it back into this style can put extra tension on hair strands that are more elastic when wet, meaning they could snap when they’re dry.

Adding iron and vitamin C to our diets can help with weak hair

Many of us try to live as healthy a lifestyle as we can, but one thing many are missing is iron. In fact, one of the first signs of anemia can be hair loss and weak nails, but that doesn’t mean everyone should jump for an iron supplement as soon as they want their hair to get thicker.

Thankfully, there are plenty of foods naturally high in iron to ensure you don’t overdose on the mineral. If you do take a supplement, try taking a lower dosage or talking to your doctor first. Whatever the case, adding more vitamin C to your diet actually helps your body to absorb iron more efficiently, leading to even better results.

High-tension hairstyles can add unnecessary tension to your hair strands

Let’s face it; hair trends can be enough to see plenty of us reaching for the scissors or that box of dye. What about when you want to jump on the trend but you’re not ready for a bold cut or color? That’s where the year’s biggest hairstyles come in. For a time, it was all about the slicked-back look.

You know the ones - like the ponytail Ariana Grande rocked for so long or JoJo Siwa’s famous side pony. Sadly, these high-tension hairstyles could be causing hair damage. That’s because they put a lot of extra tension on your roots, potentially pulling out your hair. In fact, some people’s hairlines can completely recede if the style is worn too often.

A metal detox wash can strip harsh metals from our hair

If you’ve been near the internet in recent weeks, you might have seen a new L’Oreal product taking over the hair world. The Metal Detox wash promises to remove a buildup of metal in our hair, but what does that even mean? Our locks naturally pick up metal particles as we go about our daily lives.

However, over time, these particles can get stuck to our hair strands and won’t be removed with our usual shampoo and rinse method. Instead, this product promises to remove all that buildup to help restore your hair’s natural shine. Plus, it cleanses the hair and scalp, removing any impurities that could be causing damage without you even knowing.

Satin pillowcases protects our hair as we toss and turn in our sleep

The idea of silk or satin pillows might sound boujee to some, but it could be time to add some luxury to your nighttime routine. At least, that’s the case if you want to keep your hair as protected as possible while you sleep. That’s because materials like cotton and polyester can cause a lot of friction.

Tossing and turning while you sleep on these materials could cause your hair to knot or break while you sleep. Fabrics like silk or satin are a lot smoother, meaning you should wake up with hair that’s more full of moisture, less frizzy, and less damaged in the morning. The best bit? Your skin could thank you, too.

Hair dusting removes split ends without taking off any length from our hair

What is hair dusting? Before you conjure up images of some magical fairy dust or find yourself reaching for the dry shampoo, you might want to talk to your hairstylist. That’s because hair styling is actually a hair-cutting technique that means we can remove all those split ends without taking away the length of our locks.

This is particularly helpful for people looking to grow their hair - or maintain their length - while removing split ends that could cause lots of damage in the long run. A sharp pair of scissors will usually be used to carefully remove these split ends, resulting in smoother hair that’s less prone to frizz at the end.

Keeping hydrated throughout the day can do wonders for creating strong hair

One of the best things many of us can do to our hair to help it become stronger without really trying is simply to give our bodies the hydration it needs. It’s perhaps no secret by now that we need a certain amount of water throughout the day if we want to be as healthy as possible.

Did you know it affects our hair, too? That’s right; being dehydrated can lead to a dry and brittle scalp, which, in turn, can affect the strength of our hair strands. Try taking a water bottle with you wherever you can to keep topped up on the good stuff. Need something with a little more flavor? Try adding some fruit.

A balanced diet can ensure your hair gets all the nutrients it needs

Getting enough water isn’t the only way we can help our hair to grow as long and strong as possible. What we eat also has more of an effect on the health of our hair than most people realize. Opting for antioxidant-rich foods can be key to giving our hair the things it needs without really trying.

On the other hand, avoiding inflammatory ingredients, such as processed food or sugar, can help reduce the amount of inflammation in our bodies. Why? This can contribute to hair shedding. Another tip is to avoid any crash diet, as the shock to the system can cause telogen effluvium, which can lead to hair shedding for two to six months.

Placenta in products could encourage hair regrowth

The idea of using placenta products might be enough to make some people run for the hills. However, if you want to improve your hair’s natural strength from the roots - literally - it could be time to think about including them as a part of your routine. For one, they help to support the capillary microcirculation, aka the scalp’s blood supply.

Having better circulation in your scalp can lead to healthier hair follicles, meaning new hair growth will be as strong as possible. Placenta extract also helps to create a super thin layer across your scalp. In turn, this prevents moisture loss from your scalp without creating excess sebum and causing greasy-looking hair. Does it get any better?

Baking soda can remove a buildup of products on our scalp

One of the best things about getting long and healthy hair is we often don’t have to look too far around the home to find things we can use immediately. Looking after our scalp is key to creating healthy locks, with a buildup of products often doing more damage than we realize. In fact, scalp washes are becoming more popular.

While you can head to a specialist and get them to cleanse your scalp for you, you can also make use of some at-home ingredients to use yourself. Baking soda is a great addition. Simply mix a little with water until you have a paste. Then, gently wipe this over your roots to cover the scalp before rinsing.

Hair accessories with metal teeth are some of the worst things for hair thinning and breakage

There was a time when some of us wouldn’t be seen leaving the house without a hair accessory or two hundred to complete our looks. Sure, they might be a fun way to add a splash of color and personality to our look, but what about the damage they could be causing our locks? Yes, really.

Ties, clips, ribbons, hair extensions - they could all be to blame for damaging our hair if we use them regularly. Things with metal teeth are some of the worst offenders, as they put a lot of tension on the roots of our hair, meaning it’s pulled and damaged with long-term use. Perhaps a silk scrunchie could be on the cards?

There is a better way to deal with tangled hair to prevent causing more damage

Did you know there is a right and wrong way to brush your hair? That’s right; there are some things they really don't teach you in school. Wetting hair with knots is one of the worst things we can do, as they can become embedded in our hair and be almost impossible to remove. Instead, grab a gentle detangling brush.

Instead of starting at the root and pulling as hard as you can, gently take a section of hair and start at the bottom. This can loosen the knots further up in your hair and make them easier to remove. Once the ends of your hair are completely knot-free, work your way up the length a section at a time.

Egg yolks might be the things we need to strengthen our hair

Eggs can be great as a part of a DIY deep conditioning mask, but did you know they can be just as great for your hair all on their own? That’s right; the next time you find yourself wondering how you like your eggs in the morning, the answer could be in a hair mask.

Thankfully, you only need the yolks of three eggs and three to four tablespoons of slightly warm coconut oil. Thoroughly mix them together in a bowl before applying to your scalp and roots. Be careful not to run it through the lengths of your hair before covering with a shower cap, leaving for 15 minutes, and rinsing with cool water.

Hanging your head upside down can encourage blood flow to your hair follicles

Getting the blood flowing to your head might be more important than it seems when it comes to getting the healthiest hair of your life. While there are plenty of ways to encourage blood circulation, one simple trick could be letting gravity do its things. Who needs falling apples when you have great hair instead?

All you need to do is lie on your bed or couch with your head slightly over the edge to get the blood flowing to your scalp. Of course, be sure not to do this for too long as you could put yourself in danger, and be careful getting up as you might get a bit of a headrush.

A daily scalp massage gets the blood flowing to your scalp

There is something oh-so-satisfying about getting home at the end of a long day and giving your mind and body the TLC it deserves. Making time for yourself is a great way to relax, but most people tend to think of giving their skin a treat. What about including your hair in it all? Thankfully, it feels great, too.

All you need to do is start giving yourself a daily scalp massage to reap the benefits. There are a host of tools on the market - including shampoo brushes - to help, or you can opt for your fingertips. Whatever the case, avoid using your nails as you work around your scalp in circular motions to encourage blood circulation.

A wooden comb is a lot more gentle on our hair than plastic ones

For years, many of us have lived lives where we don’t think too much about what we’re using or its effect on the world. However, things have come a long way, and now many are trying to live more sustainably than ever. A lot of times, that means finding alternatives for plastic when something needs to be replaced.

Now, it could be time to add that plastic comb to the list. Plastic can cause static and friction, leading to frizz - and, eventually, brittle hair. Wooden combs are not only better for the environment, but they’re also kinder to your hair, as they reduce the amount of friction and damage you cause by brushing.

Certain protective hair styles can help save our ends, especially during the winter months

It doesn’t matter what kind of hair type we have; learning how to utilize protective hairstyles - especially in the winter months - could be the thing you need to give your hair everything it needs. Simply put, the key to getting longer hair is hydration and patience. One of those might be easier than the other.

Hair that’s left to hang down is more prone to drying out and getting tangled. This is even more true for the ends of our hair, but using protective styles can keep them out of harm’s way. These are anything that keeps your ends tucked away, such as braids, buns with the ends looped inside, or faux twists.

Cayenne pepper might be the thing for people suffering from alopecia

If you’re someone who loves to cook, there’s a good chance you have all kinds of spices around the kitchen already. Most people have learned cayenne pepper can be great for adding a little kick to your food, but what about adding it to your hair? For centuries, the spice has been a part of herbal medicine.

Now, it’s thought the capsaicin in the pepper plant could be the thing so many people with alopecia need to encourage hair growth. Ongoing studies in Japan are looking into the benefits, with some theorizing that mixing cayenne pepper with water until it’s a paste and spreading it on your roots could offer a host of hair-growth benefits.

Towel drying can be one of the worst things for damaging our hair

Doing anything overly aggressive to wet hair often spells disaster. That includes trying to get it dry in the first place. Sure, plenty of us have been there - the mornings when we don’t have time to blow dry our locks, and leaving them wet isn’t an option. However, rubbing your hair with a towel could be the worst offender.

This kind of friction is incredibly bad for your hair while it’s wet, meaning towel drying could add frizz to your hair, stretch individual strands, and even cause a lot of breakage. Plus, towel drying often adds in more knots which then have to be removed. If you really have to use a towel, try to pat dry instead.

Swapping your towel for a t-shirt could make all the difference

It turns out you don’t entirely have to forget about drying your hair. After all, it might be quite the mission to find out what to do if you had to step straight out of the shower and deal with soaking wet hair. Instead of using a towel, it’s all about looking for kinder alternatives.

Have a spare cotton t-shirt lying around the house? You already have your answer. The fabric is a lot smoother and, therefore, won’t add any unnecessary frizz to your hair. Start by squeezing out as much moisture as you can. Then, lean your head forward and wrap the towel around your hair just as you would your towel.

The more we wash our hair, the more damage we might be doing

There is something about a shower that means something different to everyone. While some prefer to start their days getting fresh and clean for whatever lies ahead, others like to relax and wash the day away at the end of it all. Whatever the case, you might want to cut washing your hair out of your daily shower routine.

That’s because washing your hair every day will strip it of all your natural oils, leaving it less shiny and more prone to damage in the long run. Plus, more washing means more drying, which comes with its own damage to our hair. Why not try every other day or even every few days if your hair can cope?

Over-bleaching can quickly lead to weak and severely damaged hair

If you’ve been anywhere near the world of hair care online, or, more specifically, Brad Mondo, the chances are you know more about bleaching your hair than you ever thought was possible. Sure, we now know not to start at the roots - why? Yes, the heat from our scalp - and to avoid overlapping at all costs.

Still, one thing plenty haven’t quite learned is that over-bleaching can be one of the worst things for our hair. Many of us have seen the gooey mess that comes from leaving the bleach on too long, and that could be precisely what happens if we don’t put down the bleach and step away from the mixing bowl.

VapoRub contains several ingredients that can see results in as few as five weeks

Plenty of people would go to extreme lengths to get the longest, healthiest hair of their lives. What about using Vicks VapoRub to get the desired results? Sure, it might sound like an out-there idea, but there is some logic behind the hack. If you’ve ever used VapoRub, you might have noticed the famous smell.

A lot of that is down to the three main ingredients: camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol. All of these can be great for encouraging hair growth, largely because they help promote blood flow to the scalp, and, as we’ve learned, that’s vital for hair growth. In fact, some people claim they saw results in just five weeks.

Not showering after a workout could lead to fungal issues or scalp acne

You’ve got the blood pumping, and you’re riding the high that usually follows working out. While that might be enough to see us sail through the day, you might want to stop and take a moment to smell the roses or, at least, the shampoo. Yes, it’s time to make some time to wash your hair after a sweaty workout.

Letting all that sweat sit on your hair throughout the day can be enough to see oils build up and cause a dangerous environment on your scalp. Fungal dermatitis can be a real issue for many, especially if you tie your hair up and create an even warmer environment. Plus, scalp acne can quickly develop.

Trimming your hair won’t make it grow faster, but it could protect your locks

There was a time that people thought they had to cut their hair in order to encourage it to grow. While that’s no longer something preached in hair salons - mostly because the more you think about it, the more it doesn’t make sense - there is some logic behind getting regular trims. In fact, it could protect your hair.

That’s because a haircut should remove all those split ends and any other damage that comes from daily life, such as natural breakage or pollutants from the air. Getting regular haircuts means we can remove all of these issues and leave only the healthiest of hair in its wake. A trip to the salon? We don’t need telling twice.

Conditioner often adds a protective layer to your hair

Keeping our hair hydrated doesn’t have to be tough, but would you believe there are people in the world who only shampoo their hair and skip this step altogether? That might just be one of the biggest no-nos when it comes to growing your hair. As well as adding necessary moisture, the conditioner can protect our hair.

That’s because most leave a very thin layer over our hair strands, meaning it’s harder for outside pollutants to damage our hair strands throughout the day. If you want to take things one step further, try using a leave-in conditioner. Not only will you get added softness, but you’ll get another layer of protection, too.

Changing how we blow dry our hair can prevent hair loss

Many of us have spent our evenings watching all kinds of blowout tutorials to try and recreate the magic of the salon at home. It turns out there might be a few steps you need to incorporate into any routine to get the healthiest hair you have ever seen. For one, never blow dry soaking wet hair.

Too much heat in one spot will strip your hair of any remaining moisture, but that’s not all. Heat protection sprays can protect our locks, too. Just be sure to spray them on around ten minutes before blow drying. Finally, be sure to always use the nozzle and hold your blow dryer at least a few inches away.

Peanut butter can help make frizzy ends a thing of the past

If you’ve ever seen the sitcom ‘The Office’ - and if not, what are you doing with your life? - you might be wondering why anyone would ever add peanut butter to their hair out of choice. It turns out there are plenty of reasons, including all the goodness locked inside organic and natural versions of the pantry staple. 

That’s right; peanut butter is filled with things like vitamin E and natural fats and oils that are great for adding some moisture to your hair. For best results, spread it onto the ends of your hair and leave it to sit for a few minutes. Then, wash with shampoo and rinse until it’s entirely gone - usually at least twice.

Lowering your stress levels could have unexpected benefits for your hair

There are so many reasons we need to eliminate as much stress from our lives. Still, that’s often easier said than done. What if we told you not listening to those boring meetings and cutting toxic friends out of your life could all be for the sake of your hair? Yes, really - and you can thank us later.

There is a link between our hormones and the condition of our hair, especially when it comes to how much it grows. Hair follicles enter into a “resting” stage when they no longer grow. If we have too much stress in our lives, these follicles could be forced into this resting stage and, therefore, completely stop growing.

A bonnet while you sleep can help to prevent hair breakage overnight

The world is learning more about different hair techniques, especially when it comes to how other cultures look after their locks. By now, there’s a good chance many of us have seen hair bonnets that have long been utilized by people with extremely curly hair. They’re often made from silk or satin and keep our hair wrapped as we sleep.

What about using one in your everyday life? This can be enough to keep our hair protected as we sleep, especially if you have long hair that often gets caught on everything throughout the night. If you really don’t have one to hand but have a spare shower cap lying around, this can act as a great stand-in.

Apple cider vinegar is said to act as a natural detangler

Let’s face it; plenty of health trends come and go. Still, one that has stuck around for all the right reasons is using apple cider vinegar for a whole host of reasons. As well as having plenty of benefits on the rest of our body, using this as a hair rinse could be the thing so many of us need.

The idea is simple. All you need to do is mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with one liter of water and rinse this through your hair after shampooing and conditioning as usual. As well as getting rid of any leftover dirt, this wash should act as a natural detangler, make your hair stronger, and add softness and shine.

Rosemary oil can be used to massage into hair roots

There are plenty of hair oils on the market that all claim to be the thing we need to get the longest, strongest hair of our lives. How are we meant to know which one to trust? The answer could be simple - and a lot cheaper. That's because rosemary oil is one of the best things.

As well as promoting hair growth, rosemary oil is also reported to add shine and help strengthen existing hair strands. All you need to do is add a few drops to your scalp and work through to the ends. Leave this for at least an hour before double cleansing your hair - meaning shampooing twice - and using a light conditioner.

Consider asking about prescription hair-growth treatments

Sometimes, it doesn’t matter what we do - nothing seems to help our hair grow. We might use all the oils, take the supplements, and entirely switch up our hair care routine. What gives? Oftentimes, we might just need a little extra help. If you’ve exhausted every idea, why not talk to your doctor about some prescription hair-growth treatments?

There are plenty of options on the market that can help to increase our hair growth over time, with some coming as tablets and others as ointments to apply to our scalp. While they might not be able to help, a dermatologist could be just the thing you need to get the hair of your dreams.