7 Science-Backed Tips for Healthy Hair 🤓

Healthy, vibrant hair doesn’t happen by chance—it’s a combination of good habits, the right products, and a little understanding of the science behind what keeps your hair in top shape. With so much advice floating around, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So, let’s cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. Here’s what you need to know about the seven key factors that impact hair health—and how FARO products can subtly support your journey to your best hair ever.

 

 

1. Healthy scalp, happy hair

Your scalp isn’t just where your hair grows—it’s the foundation for healthy hair. Think of it like the soil in a garden: just as plants need good soil to grow, your hair needs a well-nourished scalp to thrive.

Your scalp contains sebaceous glands that produce sebum, an oily substance that naturally moisturises your hair and scalp. The health of your scalp directly affects these glands and the hair follicles. Issues like dandruff, oiliness, or dryness can disrupt the balance of your scalp, leading to weaker hair and loss of shine. For example, seborrheic dermatitis (a more severe form of dandruff) can clog follicles, potentially hindering hair growth and causing inflammation.

Keeping your scalp healthy requires a delicate balance. Washing too much can strip away natural oils, leading to dryness, while not washing enough can cause sebum buildup, clogging follicles and potentially leading to conditions like folliculitis. Regular scalp massages boost blood circulation, delivering essential nutrients to the hair roots and promoting healthier hair growth.

💡 Pro Tip: FARO’s Paddle Brush offers a gentle way to keep your scalp in check. Massaging and exfoliating help maintain that all-important balance, encouraging healthier hair growth.

2. Feed your hair right

Your diet plays a crucial role in your hair’s health. If you’re not getting enough key nutrients, your hair will often be the first to show it.

Hair is primarily made of keratin, a tough, fibrous protein. To produce keratin efficiently, your body requires a consistent supply of certain vitamins and minerals. Biotin (Vitamin B7) is essential for keratin production, while Vitamin D plays a role in creating new hair follicles. Iron supports the red blood cells that carry oxygen to your hair’s roots, and omega-3 fatty acids are vital for maintaining the lipid layer of your scalp, which keeps hair hydrated and shiny. A deficiency in these nutrients can lead to symptoms like hair thinning, increased shedding, or a dull appearance.

💡  Pro Tip: Add nutrient-rich foods to your diet, like eggs (for biotin), leafy greens (for iron), nuts and seeds (for omega-3s), and fatty fish like salmon. Even small changes can make a big difference in your hair’s look and feel over time.

3. Moisture is everything

Hydration is key to maintaining your hair’s strength and shine. When your hair lacks moisture, it can become dry, frizzy, and more prone to breakage.

Each hair strand is protected by the cuticle, a layer of overlapping cells that lock in moisture. When hair is hydrated, the cuticle lies flat, reflecting light and giving your hair a smooth, shiny appearance. However, moisture escapes when the cuticle is damaged—often due to environmental factors, chemical treatments, or heat styling—leading to dryness and frizz. This process is exacerbated by high porosity in hair, where the cuticle has gaps or tears, allowing moisture to enter and exit more freely, often leaving hair frizzy and brittle.

The key to healthy, hydrated hair isn’t just adding moisture but also sealing it in. After washing, applying leave-in conditioners or oils helps lock in hydration, keeping your hair looking and feeling great all day.

💡 Pro tip: FARO’s Detangler Brush helps spread your hair’s natural oils evenly, giving each strand the moisture it needs. This simple step makes a big difference in keeping your hair smooth and manageable.

4. Handle heat with care

We all love what heat styling can do, whether it’s straightening or curling. But too much heat can damage your hair if you’re not careful.

Hair is composed of keratin proteins that begin to break down when exposed to high temperatures, particularly above 450°F (232°C). This breakdown weakens the hair, leading to split ends, dryness, and breakage. The heat can also strip away the protective oils and moisture in the hair cuticle, leaving it vulnerable to further damage.

To minimise heat damage, always use a heat protectant. These products form a barrier around your hair strands, reducing moisture loss and protecting against protein damage. Opt for the lowest effective heat setting on your styling tools; while it may take a bit longer to achieve your desired look, your hair will remain healthier in the long run

💡 Pro Tip: Try to limit how often you use heat tools. On days off, go for heat-free styles like damp braids for natural waves. FARO’s Ceramic Round Brush helps you style with less heat, evenly distributing it to reduce damage.

5. Stress less, love your hair more

Stress is a part of life, but it can take a toll on your hair, too. If you’ve noticed more hair shedding during stressful times, it’s not just your imagination.

Stress triggers the production of cortisol, a hormone that disrupts your hair’s natural growth cycle, pushing more hair follicles into the shedding phase (telogen) and fewer into the growing phase (anagen). This process, known as telogen effluvium, leads to noticeable hair thinning and increased shedding. Additionally, stress can exacerbate scalp conditions like dandruff or oiliness, further impacting your hair’s health.

Reducing stress isn’t just beneficial for your overall well-being and crucial for maintaining healthy hair. Regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and adequate sleep can help manage stress levels. Even small, daily moments of relaxation can significantly impact your hair’s health

💡 Pro Tip: Add a scalp massage to your relaxation routine. It feels amazing and boosts circulation to your hair follicles. FARO’s Paddle Brush can make this even more effective, helping you de-stress and keep your hair healthy.

6. Protect your hair from the elements

Your hair faces numerous environmental challenges—UV rays, pollution, and harsh weather can all take a toll over time, weakening your hair, drying it out, and even fading its colour.

UV rays can break down the hair’s protein structure, leading to split ends and a loss of elasticity. Meanwhile, pollutants, including dust and industrial fumes, can cause scalp irritation, clogging pores and dulling your hair’s natural shine. Even wind and cold weather can strip moisture from your hair, leaving it brittle and prone to breakage.

However, protecting your hair from environmental damage doesn’t mean avoiding the outdoors altogether. Simple steps like wearing a hat on sunny days, using UV-protective products, and washing your hair after exposure to polluted areas can go a long way in maintaining its health.

💡 Pro Tip: On days when your hair will be exposed to the elements, use a leave-in conditioner or serum that offers protection against UV and pollution. It’s an easy way to keep your hair healthy and strong.

7. Keep it simple, keep it consistent

Consistency is key to healthy hair. The way you care for your hair every day makes a big difference, and sometimes, the simplest habits have the most significant impact.

Brushing might seem basic, but how you do it—and the type of brush you use—matters. Wet hair is particularly vulnerable to damage because it is more elastic and can stretch up to 30% more than dry hair before breaking. A harsh brush or rough brushing can lead to split ends, breakage, and frizz.

Using high-quality brushes suited to your hair type helps distribute natural oils from your scalp down to the ends of your hair, reducing frizz and adding shine. Brushing before washing can also prevent tangles, making it easier to manage your hair post-wash.

💡 Pro Tip: Make gentle brushing a part of your daily routine. Start at the ends and work up to avoid pulling and breaking your hair. And remember, sometimes less is more—over-brushing can do more harm than good. All brushes in our collection are perfect for everyday use, keeping your hair healthy and smooth.

Understanding your hair = loving your hair 💕

At the end of the day, healthy hair is about understanding what it needs and taking consistent, gentle care of it. From your scalp to your ends, each part of your hair plays a role in how it looks and feels. By focusing on the basics—like scalp health, nutrition, and using the right tools—you can achieve and maintain the hair you’ve always wanted.

 

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Until next time,

Team FARO x