I’ve been pregnant a time or six and had the wonderful thick hair to go with it. Then comes postpartum hair loss. For years I also had to deal with hair loss due to thyroid issues. These events prompted me to look into how to naturally promote hair growth and health.
Some shedding after pregnancy is hormonal and inevitable, but there are natural ways to improve damaged and thinning hair. This is what I discovered on my journey to healthy hair.
How to get healthy hair
The condition of our hair is a good indicator of what is happening inside our body. It is important to address the body as a whole to improve long-term hair health. This includes eating a healthy diet and reducing stress.
I also wonder if these tips help the baby’s hair growth in the womb. All of my kids have come in with A LOT of hair, especially my daughter (her hair is in the photo above and she was three when she was taken!). Her hair has always been naturally thick, curly, and easy to work with. In fact, he was born with almost five centimeters.
These natural tips benefit the body in other ways too, so there’s not much to lose!
1. Eat enough protein
Protein is essential for hair growth. Make sure you consume enough protein (most of us don’t!) to ensure your body has the building blocks needed for hair. Complete protein sources such as meats and fish are the most beneficial for hair growth. Many meats also contain iron, which is also essential for hair health.
Foods like meat, fish, eggs and especially bone broths are excellent for hair growth. These foods also have fatty acids needed to promote healthy hormones and scalp health.
2. Get the vitamins
Some vitamins help promote hair growth, especially vitamin C and biotin. The body needs vitamin C to produce collagen, which is necessary for healthy hair and skin. Vitamin C also helps with iron absorption, which promotes hair growth (plus, it’s an immune booster!). Since the body cannot produce vitamin C, it is a vitamin that we must obtain from foods or supplements. Foods such as citrus fruits, broccoli, bell peppers, and spinach are good sources.
Biotin (and other B vitamins) can also promote faster, stronger hair growth. Plus, it’s also great for skin care. Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin that our body uses to digest fats and sugars. Eggs, nuts, berries, fish, and some vegetables provide biotin in small amounts. Sometimes a supplement can be helpful in increasing levels.
Other nutrients play a role in conditions such as alopecia, hair damage, and premature hair graying. Zinc deficiency is thought to contribute to hair loss. A 2013 study found that those first gray hairs may be caused by deficiencies in calcium, ferritin, and vitamin D3. Other factors include low levels of selenium, B12 and folate.
Eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods and healthy sun exposure (no sunscreen!) is a must to keep your hair looking its best.
3. Raise the gelatin
I’ve posted before about the many benefits of gelatin and why it’s great for hair, skin, and nail health. Gelatin is something I eat daily in some form, whether it’s bone broth or powdered gelatin (or both). From a previous post:
“Gelatin is largely composed of the amino acids glycine and proline, which many people do not consume in adequate quantities since they are found in the bones, fibrous tissues and organs of animals and, as a population, we do not consume them. parts all the more. “These amino acids are necessary not only for proper growth of skin, hair and nails, but also for optimal immune function and weight regulation.”
Glycine, which makes up about 1/3 of the amino acids in gelatin powder, is anti-inflammatory. Evidence shows that glycine can even speed wound healing. These are some of my favorite ways to incorporate gelatin.
4. Balance hormones
Hormones and gut bacteria play a bigger role in health than people realize. Even if you have the best diet and supplements, hormonal imbalance can ruin your health. Some studies even show how certain hormonal reactions help heal brain trauma.
Hormones are often one of the main causes of hair loss or poor hair growth. Unfortunately, there can be many causes of hormonal imbalance. This is also the reason for hair loss after pregnancy. We can take steps to improve hair while working to balance hormones (here are my top tips for balancing hormones naturally).
Stress and lack of sleep are two of the main contributors to hormonal imbalance. These factors can also trigger dandruff. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Robinson, high levels of stress can lead to high levels of cortisol. When these stress hormones increase, they cause inflammation, oily hair, and scalp buildup. This oil buildup can cause dandruff.
5. Use the right products
Although the main causes of poor hair quality and growth are internal, external treatments can help improve existing hair and prevent breakage. From castor oil to gelatin. I have tried many homemade hair treatments, and I really like most of them! Here’s where I wrote about some of my favorites:
Things like bleaching your hair and using conventional dyes at the local stylist are not good for the health of your hair and scalp. Not to mention all the toxins in conventional hair care products! However, natural hair products can also cause problems.
Conventional shampoos and products have their own problems (such as being linked to cancer), but natural ones are often not pH balanced for the scalp and strip away important natural oils. That’s one of the reasons I decided to create my own line of healthy hair care products! They are great for different hair types, such as curly or dry hair.
Another option is a natural clay-based shampoo like this one. I tried it myself and got great results. They don’t lather like traditional shampoos, but they clean my hair, nourish my scalp, and are pH balanced.
6. Avoid damage to the hairstyle
Eating all the right foods and using a healthy shampoo will only get you so far if you have an unhealthy hair care routine. Things like tight hairstyles damage hair follicles and can cause hair loss. Blow drying wet hair on high heat and using heat styling tools can cause hair damage and split ends.
Excessive use of heat tools can cause hair dryness and breakage. A simple way to avoid this is to use a lower temperature and avoid excessive use of curling irons, straighteners and hair dryers. Heatless curls are a popular and less damaging way to get volume without heat.
Do you find yourself looking for products like leave-in conditioners to help detangle your locks? A silk pillowcase or hair cap can help prevent frizz and tangles while you sleep.
Experiment and see what works for you!
How do you keep your hair healthy? Share your tips below!
