10 Easy Ways To Get Fuller, Healthier Hair

Unfortunately, for most of us healthy hair is something we have to work towards day in, day out. If, like me, you weren’t naturally blessed with thick, flowing locks, then taking care of your hair can sometimes feel like a full-time job. There are so many steps to remember and so many mistakes to avoid, it’s impossible to keep up.

To simplify things a little, I’ve created a list of healthy habits that’ll help you on your hair journey. So, without further ado, here are 10 easy ways to achieve fuller, healthier hair.

1. Wash your hair less often

At some point I managed to trap myself in a viscous cycle of washing my hair everyday. If I skipped a day my hair would become limp and greasy, so I would wash it again, and the problems would persist.

Mid-2020 I committed to training my hair out of this daily-wash pattern. And I’m never going back! This change has made all the difference.

Though a quick scrub seems like an easy fix for greasiness, what we don’t realise is that, by washing our hair so often, we’re actually stripping it of all its natural oils. Our scalp, in turn, overcompensates by producing even more oil … and we’re stuck!

The transition period is always the hardest, but if you can push back washing your hair to every 2-3 days, you’ll be so glad you did.

Dry shampoo will be your best friend for the next few months, so don’t forget to stock up!

2. Deep condition weekly

If your hair is really dry and damaged, it’s important to incorporate special treatments into your routine that will restore this lost moisture. Regular conditioner is effective on a day-to-day basis, but if you really want soft, silky hair you need to be using something more intensive.

When deep conditioning, you generally want to leave the product on for around 15-30 minutes. This way it has sufficient time to nourish and fortify the hair.

There are tonnes of specially-formulated deep conditioners you can buy. I, for one, am a huge fan of the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask. However, if you’re looking for a DIY project, it’s also extremely easy to make your own treatment at home. Almond oil, jojoba oil and coconut oil are all great for the hair, so why not try adding some of these.

3. Change your brush

Brushing our hair is an essential daily task. There’s no way to avoid it. And, when done right, it’s actually beneficial. Regularly detangling our hair stops it from becoming overly knotted and matted.

But brushing is also a major cause of breakage. Doing it too often stretches and weakens the hair, especially if we’re using the wrong kind of brush.

While what’s best for your hair can often depend on its type, thickness and curl pattern, most hairstylists recommend choosing a brush with thin bristles as this causes the least amount of drag/tension.

This Denman Tangle Tamer is my go-to, it’s really gentle on the hair and sorts out even the toughest of knots.

4. Sleep with a silk pillowcase

Using a silk pillowcase comes with a whole host of beauty benefits – one of them being a complete upgrade to the quality of our hair.

Cotton pillowcases create a lot of friction while we’re tossing and turning, often leaving us with frizzy or tangled locks in the morning. If you’re waking up with a serious case of ‘bedhead’, this could be the reason why.

5. Step away from the heat

Constant heat styling can weaken the hair and make it more susceptible to breaking. The best way to combat this is to take a break from your hot tools, even if it means enduring a few bad hair days.

If you can, use a low-heat setting on your hairdryer. And, if you really have to use your straighteners or tongs, make sure to use a heat protectant spray beforehand.

This no-heat (or low-heat) rule applies to showers as well. Scalding hot water is pretty bad for both our hair and skin. To avoid causing any more heat damage try rinsing with cold water instead. This might be a tough switch for those who love their hot showers (I’m one of them), but it’ll really help in the long run.

6. Cut your hair regularly

I know this sounds counterintuitive if you’re trying to grow your hair out. But, trust me, there’s a good reason for it. Trimming your hair every 8-10 weeks keeps the split ends at bay and prevents any breakage further up.

Of course, cutting your hair on a regular basis doesn’t necessarily ensure that your hair will grow faster. It just means that the hair you are growing will be healthier and therefore look more lustrous in general.

7. Focus on your scalp

We often obsess over the ends of our hair since it’s easiest to spot damage there. But proper haircare starts further up, all the way at the root.

When you think about it, it makes sense that if our scalp is dry or irritated then our hair will likely suffer too!

If you’re noticing any of these issues, it might be worth investing in a scalp mask or serum. Briogeo’s Scalp Revival is super efficient at soothing the skin and reducing dryness. The Body Shop also does an amazing ginger-scented scalp care line which I highly recommend.

TOP TIP: Hairstylists suggest giving your head an occasional massage to improve circulation and stimulate hair growth. If you’re pressed for time you can even do this in the shower while you’re washing your hair!

8. Ditch your hair elastics

This is a particularly difficult habit to break. I’m one of those people who religiously carries an emergency hair elastic in her bag or always has one on her wrist. It’s like a safety blanket. Who knows when it’ll come in handy?

But these hair ties are notoriously bad for your hair. Pull your hair back too tight and you’re putting pressure on the follicles. Tie your hair up while it’s still wet and it’s way more likely to stretch and snap.

The best solution is to use a different type of fastening, like a claw clip or scrunchie. These hair accessories will hold your hair back with minimal damage inflicted.

9. Always use a hair oil

I must admit, I put this one off for the longest time. My hair is not the thickest, so serums and creams can often leave it feeling weighed down. It wasn’t until my sister introduced me to the Moroccanoil Treatment that I finally came around.

This oil smells sooo good and makes your hair feel amazingly soft. Yes, it is a cult product, but I can honestly say that it is worth the hype.

As with any oil treatment, this works best when applied to damp hair. You only need a pea sized amount and the results are *chef’s kiss*.

10. Improve your diet

Ok, so this one is fairly self explanatory. The better your diet, the better your hair will be. Eating foods rich in protein, iron and omega-3 fatty acids will ensure that your hair stays strong and healthy.

It’s pretty easy to incorporate these food types into your diet, and – who knows – you could already be eating them. It might just be a matter of upping your intake.

Do you have any other tips for getting healthier hair? Let me know in the comments!