long healthy brunette hair

7 Steps to Hair Care – My Secret to Beautiful Hair

Whether long, short, curly, or straight, many of us aim for hair that’s healthy and beautiful.

For most of us, that requires a little behind-the-scenes effort to manage hair breakage, frizziness, dry tresses, and similar issues. 

There are many factors that can take a toll on your hair, such as stress, diet, environmental elements, products, and your general health.

The good news is that there are some simple hair care steps you can take to improve the health of your strands. 

long healthy brunette hair

Read on for some simple secrets to beautiful hair. 

  1. Add More Protein to Your Diet

Hair is mainly made of a type of protein called keratin. As such, a protein deficiency can lead to thin and brittle hair. Plus, it can cause hair loss in the long run.

If you want to get healthy, beautiful locks, be sure to add more protein to your daily diet. Many experts recommend consuming at least 45 grams of protein each day. 

Some great protein sources include dairy products, fish, eggs, poultry, and lean meat.

  1. Increase Your Zinc Intake

Did you know that zinc deficiency is a leading cause of hair shedding? Many people don’t know about the powerful role this nutrient plays in maintaining hair health. Thankfully, hair loss due to zinc deficiency is reversible. 

Increasing your zinc intake can help you cope with hair shedding, so be sure to include zinc-packed nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews in your diet. 

Also, fruits, vegetables, and green leafy salads are good sources of zinc. You can even boost your zinc intake through zinc supplements. 

  1. Improve Your Hair and Scalp With Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids stimulate hair follicles, which may help improve your hair health. These nutrients can even boost your scalp health, too. With this in mind, you’ll want to make sure you’re including omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. 

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, enriched eggs, and flax seed. 

  1. Pick the Right Shampoo

You should always choose a shampoo based on your specific hair type. The wrong product can work against your hair type instead of for it. 

The good news is that there are many different shampoos specifically created for each hair type, including curly hair, oily hair, normal hair, dry hair, and so on. There are even shampoos formulated for fighting specific hair problems, such as dandruff.

It’s also important to choose a shampoo free of harsh chemicals like sulfates, alcohol, and parabens. These chemicals can lead to dry, frizzy, and brittle hair. 

woman in bath with hair conditioner in hand
  1. Use a Conditioner

It’s no secret that using a hair conditioner helps keep your hair silky-soft. It also makes your locks more manageable. 

After shampooing your hair, apply conditioner and use a comb to distribute it evenly and cover as much of your hair as possible. Then rinse it out after two or three minutes. 

Some people also find that using a leave-in conditioner makes their hair more manageable, especially for hair prone to frizziness or dryness. Experimenting with different conditioning routines can help you to find what works best for your hair.

  1. Use Hot Tools Sparingly

The heat from hot tools like a blow dryer or curling iron can damage your hair strands, exposing them to breakage. Heat also strips your hair of natural oils, causing it to become dry, frizzy, brittle, and unmanageable. 

Try to avoid heat tools as much as possible. If you’re in a rush and have no time to dry or style your hair without heat, keep the temperature of the tool to a lower setting. Also, always apply a heat protectant to your hair before using any hot tools. 

  1. Use Hair Extensions

The tips given above take time to improve your hair, so you may want to get a temporary fix in the meantime. Hair extensions are a great way to instantly add length, volume, and thickness to your locks. 

long strawberry blond hair extensions

If you want a natural, perfectly blended look, human hair extensions are the way to go. In particular, Remy hair extensions are silky-smooth and match your hair’s direction, movement, and flow. 

Remember that not all extensions are created equal, so be sure to research and buy a trusted brand, such as Zala hair extensions.

Also, choose an application method based on your hair condition and what you feel comfortable wearing. The most popular application methods include clip-in, tape-in, and Halo extensions.