Healthy Hair… From the Inside Out!

Summer really takes a toll on a gal’s hair! Now that the seasons are changing, many of us are looking for ways to refresh our look and dive back into healthier routines, including one for healthy hair!

Epic hair starts from the inside, and the great news is that what you put into your body (and on your hair, of course) can impact the overall health of your hair!  I was excited to partner with GLISS Hair Repair this month to talk about hair health from a unique angle, starting from the inside out. I’ve been very fortunate to be born with ‘good hair genes’ but I also attribute my hair health to the food I eat, the products I use on my hair and my overall wellness.

Later this week, I’ll be sharing an in-depth look into the optimal foods to include in your diet for your best hair ever. In the meantime, here are my top 5 things to do, and stop doing, to help you on your road to stronger, healthier hair!

1. Eat enough protein. Aim for about 1 gram/kilogram of body weight. Protein is needed do most of the work in cells and is required to support the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs… and that includes growing hair. For plant-based options that are high in protein, throw some nuts or seeds on your next salad, add cubed firm tofu to a stir fry, sauté tempeh instead of ground meat to fill a taco or top a taco salad, and opt for higher protein grains like quinoa or freekeh instead of pasta or rice.
2. Skip the restrictive fad diets. Depriving your body of calories, protein, fat and/or other key nutrients (more on this in the next post) may lead to an interruption in hair growth or hair loss.  Another reason (among many) to eat a well-balanced diet! If in doubt, consult a registered dietitian to help you achieve a healthy diet that will meet your body’s needs.
3. Try a hair product that contains keratin. Keratin is an important protein that gives your hair its structure, strength and elasticity. When my hair needs some SOS, I use GLISS Hair Repair with keratin. I’ve been using the Ultra + Moisture shampoo and conditioner regularly as I find it hydrates my hair without leaving it feeling heavy, but if your hair is more damaged you may want to try the GLISS Ultimate Repair line with extra keratin in the formula. Replacing keratin and repairing hair damage leaves your hair softer, smoother and more manageable (and much more combable!). There’s a product for everyone in the GLISS line—click here to find your perfect match.
4. Give your hair a break. I will often wash my hair, spritz on a generous amount of the GLISS Ultra+ Moisture leave-in conditioner, braid it while it’s still damp and leave it for the day (and often overnight). Not styling my hair every day helps me avoid excess damage and breakage, making it easier to grow out!
5. Lower your STRESS! Stress can lead to hair loss (or a pause in hair growth) in some people, making it super important to keep that stress in check. I know it’s annoying advice, and isn’t always easy to do depending on what life throws your way, but if you don’t have time to go to a yoga class or take a break mid-day to get some fresh air (with a friend is best, it’s pure therapy!), try simply taking a few long deep breaths, meditating for 3 minutes (I’ve started doing this using the Calm app, it’s so hard for me to pause and sit still, but this is SO effective and getting easier by the day), or get some counselling if the stress is at a less manageable level (I’ve done this too at points in my life, for the record – such a gift to give yourself!).

This post was sponsored by Schwarzkopf. All opinions are my own!