I’ve been pregnant 1-6 times and had great thick hair to go with it. Next is postpartum hair loss. I too have suffered from hair loss due to thyroid issues for many years. These events led me to explore ways to naturally promote hair growth and hair health.
While some hair loss after pregnancy is unavoidable due to hormonal influences, there are natural ways to improve damaged or thinning hair. Here’s 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. To improve your hair health in the long term, it’s important to work on your entire body. This includes eating healthy and reducing stress.
I also wonder if these tips will help your baby’s hair growth in the womb. All of my children have a lot of hair, especially my daughter (the photo above has hair in it and she was 3 years old when it was taken!). Her hair has always been naturally thick, curly, and manageable. In fact, she was born at about 2 inches.
You don’t have much to lose, as these natural tips are beneficial for your body in other ways as well.
1. Eat enough protein
Protein is essential for hair growth. Be sure to eat enough protein to ensure your body has the building blocks your hair needs (most of us don’t!). Complete protein sources such as meat and fish are most beneficial for hair growth. Many meats also contain iron, which is also essential for healthy hair.
Foods like meat, fish, eggs, and especially bone broth are great for hair growth. These foods also contain essential fatty acids that promote healthy hormones and scalp health.
2. Take vitamins
Several vitamins can 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 helps with iron absorption and promotes hair growth (and can also boost your immune system!). Vitamin C is one of the vitamins that cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from food or supplements. Foods such as citrus fruits, broccoli, bell peppers, and spinach are good sources.
Biotin (and other B vitamins) also promote faster and stronger hair growth. Plus, it’s perfect for skin care. Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin that our bodies use to digest fats and sugars. Eggs, nuts, berries, fish, and some vegetables all provide small amounts of biotin. Supplements may help increase levels.
Other nutrients influence conditions such as alopecia, hair damage, and premature graying of hair. Zinc deficiency is thought to be a contributing factor to hair loss. A 2013 study found that early gray hair can be caused by a deficiency of calcium, ferritin, and vitamin D3. Other contributing factors include a lack of selenium, B12, and folic acid.
Eating a variety of nutritious foods and getting a healthy amount of sun exposure (without sunscreen!) are essential for your hair to be in its best condition.
3. Add gelatin
I previously posted about the many benefits of gelatin and why it’s great for healthy hair, skin, and nails. Gelatin is one of the things we eat every day, either in the form of bone broth or gelatin powder (or both). From previous posts:
“Gelatin is primarily composed of the amino acids glycine and proline, which are found in the bones, fibrous tissues, and organs of animals, so many people don’t consume adequate amounts. The public is not taking these.” The parts are about the same. These amino acids are required for proper growth of skin, hair, and nails, as well as optimal immune function and weight regulation. ”
Glycine, which accounts for about 1/3 of the amino acids contained in powdered gelatin, has anti-inflammatory effects. There is evidence that glycine can even speed up wound healing. Here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate gelatin.
4. Balance your hormones
Hormones and gut bacteria play a bigger role in health than people realize. Even with the best diet and supplements, hormonal imbalances can be detrimental to your health. Some studies have shown how certain hormonal responses can help heal brain trauma.
Hormones are often the main cause of hair loss and poor hair growth. Unfortunately, there are many possible causes of hormonal imbalance. This is also the cause of postpartum hair loss. You can take steps to improve your hair while balancing your hormones (here are my top tips for balancing your hormones naturally).
Stress and lack of sleep are the main causes of hormonal imbalance. These factors can also cause dandruff. According to Dr. Robinson, a board-certified dermatologist, high stress levels can cause high cortisol. An increase in these stress hormones causes inflammation, oil in the hair, and buildup on the scalp. 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 improve existing hair and help prevent hair breakage. From castor oil to gelatin, I’ve tried many DIY hair treatments and really like most of them. I wrote about some of my favorites here.
Bleaching your hair or using traditional hair color at your local stylist is not good for your hair and scalp health. Not to mention the toxins found in conventional hair care products. However, natural hair products can also cause problems.
While conventional shampoos and products have their own issues (like their link to cancer), natural ones often don’t balance your scalp’s pH, stripping it of vital natural oils. That’s one of the reasons I decided to create my own line of healthy hair care products. Perfect for different hair types, including curly and dry hair.
Another option is a natural clay-based shampoo like this one. I tried it myself and had great results. It doesn’t lather like traditional shampoos, but it cleans your hair, nourishes your scalp, and is pH balanced.
6. Avoid styling damage
Eating a good diet and using healthy shampoos won’t help you if you have unhealthy hair care habits. Tight hairstyles can damage hair follicles and lead to hair loss. Blow drying wet hair at high temperatures or using heat styling tools can damage your hair and cause split ends.
Overusing heat tools can cause dryness and breakage. An easy way to avoid this is to use lower temperature settings and avoid overusing curlers, irons, and hair dryers. Heatless curls are a popular, low-damage way to add volume without using heat.
Are you reaching for products like leave-in conditioners to detangle your hair? Silk pillowcases and hair bonnets can help prevent frizz and tangles while you sleep.
Try it out and find what works for you.
How do you keep your hair healthy? Share your tips below.
