I was pregnant one or six times and had the thick hair that came with it. Then comes postpartum hair loss. For years I have also been dealing with hair loss from thyroid issues. These events prompted me to search for ways to naturally promote hair growth and hair health.
Some shedding after pregnancy is hormonal and inevitable, but there are natural ways to repair damaged hair and thinning hair. Here’s what I discovered on my healthy hair journey.
How to Get Healthy Hair
The condition of our hair is a good indicator of what is going on 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 with baby hair growth in utero. My kids all came with lots of hair, especially my daughter (her hair is in the photo above and she was three when it was taken!). Her hair was always naturally thick, curly, and easy to work with. In fact, she was born almost two inches.
These natural tips also benefit the body in other ways, so there’s not much to lose!
1. Eat enough protein
Protein is essential for hair growth. Make sure you get enough protein (most of us don’t!) to ensure that the body has the necessary nutrients to build hair. Complete protein sources such as meat and fish are the most beneficial for hair growth. A lot of meat also contains iron, which is also necessary for healthy hair.
Foods like meat, fish, eggs, and especially bone broths are great for hair growth. These foods also have essential fatty acids to promote healthy hormones and scalp health.
2. Get Vitamins
Certain vitamins help promote hair growth, especially vitamin C and biotin. The body needs vitamin C to produce collagen, which is essential for healthy hair and skin. Vitamin C also helps with iron absorption, which promotes hair growth (plus the immune system!). Since the body cannot make vitamin C it is one vitamin that we must get from food or supplements. Foods like citrus, broccoli, bell peppers, and spinach are good sources.
Biotin (and other B vitamins) can also promote faster and stronger hair growth. Plus it’s great for skin care too. Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin that our body uses to digest fats and sugars. Eggs, nuts, berries, fish, and some vegetables all provide biotin in small amounts. Sometimes a subsidy can help raise standards.
Other nutrients play a role in conditions such as alopecia, hair damage, and premature hair growth. Zinc deficiency is thought to contribute to hair loss. A 2013 study found that premature graying of hair can be caused by deficiencies of calcium, ferritin, and vitamin D3. Other nutrients include low selenium, B12, and folate.
Getting a variety of nutritious foods and healthy sun exposure (without sunscreen!) is a must to keep hair looking its best.
3. Stir in the Gelatin
I’ve posted before about the many benefits of gelatin and why it’s great for healthy hair, skin, and nails. Gelatin is one thing that I eat every day in some form, either bone broth or gelatin powder (or both). From a previous post:
“Glatin is mainly composed of the amino acids glycine and proline, which many people do not consume in sufficient amounts because they are found in bones, fibrous tissue, and animal organs, and as humans, we do not eat these. This amino is not only needed for proper skin, hair, and nail growth but for optimal immune function and weight control.
Glycine, which contains about 1/3 of the amino acids in gelatin powder, is anti-inflammatory. Evidence shows that glycine can even speed up wound healing. Here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate gelatin.
4. Hormonal balance
Hormones and gut bacteria play a bigger role in health than people realize. Even if you have the best diet and supplements, hormone imbalances can be detrimental to health. Some studies even show how certain hormonal reactions help heal brain damage.
Hormones are often the main cause 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 our hair while working on balancing hormones (here are my top tips for balancing hormones naturally).
Stress and lack of sleep are two major factors that contribute to hormonal imbalance. These factors can also trigger inflammation. According to board certified dermatologist Dr. Robinson, high stress levels can lead to high cortisol. When these stress hormones rise they trigger inflammation, oily hair, and dandruff. This oily buildup can then lead to itching.
5. Use the right products
Although the main causes of poor hair quality and growth are internal, external treatments can help repair existing hair and prevent breakage. From castor oil to gelatin I’ve tried many DIY hair treatments, most of which I love! Here is where I wrote about some of my favorites:
Things like brushing your hair and using regular hair color from your local stylist are not good for hair and scalp health. Not to mention all the toxins in regular 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 often do not balance the pH of the scalp and take away essential natural oils. That’s one reason I decided to create my own line of healthy hair care products! They are great for different hair types, such as curly hair or dry hair
Another option is a natural clay-based shampoo like this one. I tried it myself and got great results. It doesn’t act like a traditional shampoo but it cleans the hair, nourishes my scalp, and is pH-balanced.
6. Avoid the Damage of Processing
Eating all the right foods and using a healthy shampoo will only get you so far if you have a healthy hair care regimen. Things like tight hair damage the hair follicles and can lead to 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 dryness and breakage. The easiest way to avoid this is to use a low heat setting and avoid excessive use of curlers, flat irons, and hair dryers. Heatless curling is a popular and harmless way to get volume without heat.
Do you find yourself reaching for products like a holiday cooler to help you unlock your locks? Silk pillows or bed sheets can help prevent confusion and stiffness while you sleep.
Experiment and see what works for you!
How do you keep your hair healthy? Share your tips below!
