Quick fixes for your hair can be hard to come by. After all, hair growth is generally quite slow compared to, say, skin cell turnover. Thus, if you want to see immediate results, you may be disappointed. But, there are certain things you can do to get better feeling and looking hair in a month. And the first place you want to start is by addressing any damage to your hair. After all, if you are looking for healthier hair quickly, it is likely your locks have been through quite a bit of stress from heating, coloring, and harsh styling practices. Here are the top 3 things you can do to get better hair in thirty days.
#1 Start with a fresh cut
A haircut will not necessarily give you healthier hair overnight, but it will certainly help eliminate severely damaged ends. And starting with fresh ends is one of the quickest and easiest ways to see a change in the health of your hair. After all, losing the weight of damaged ends can give your hair more luster and volume and can make the products you use more effective.
You can opt to have your ends trimmed or "dusted," or you can talk to your stylist about finding a hairstyle that actually works with your hair texture and hair type as opposed to one that does not exactly compliment it. One of the main benefits of having the right style for your hair type and texture is that it can give you more flexibility to air dry your hair instead of constantly blow drying it, which can cause damage. It also may reduce your need to use hot styling tools and potentially even fewer products, which can sit on your scalp and create an unhealthy skin environment.
And while we're focusing on a trip to the stylist, consider talking to your stylist about simplifying your hair color (if you color your hair). We have all heard it time and again, but coloring your hair is one of the harshest things you can do for it, so think about ways to enhance your natural color with fewer artificial color treatments.
#2 Get the right tools for caring for your hair
Everything your use on your hair–from your towel and brush to your shampooing and styling products, can make a big difference in your hair health. For example, the wrong brush (and, for that matter, brushing incorrectly) can strain your ends and cause more breakage. Likewise, using hair products that are too heavy or old can make your hair look less healthy. Start by doing a clean out of your toiletries (and go ahead and tackle other products as well, like cosmetics) because expired products or those that are old and dried out lose their efficacy and can actually cause more harm than good.
Next, do an inventory of what you really need. Everyone needs a good shampoo and conditioner combination, so that is a great place to start. Look for a system that addresses your hair needs. For example, if you struggle with damaged ends from coloring and harsh styling practices, use a product system that targets those needs, like the NIA system from DS Laboratories.
#3 Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
Once you have laid a good foundation following a fresh trim and gathering the right hair care products, you will want to focus on one key theme: getting plenty of moisture on your locks. One of the biggest problems people face is dry hair, especially in the harsh winter months. Ensuring your hair is well hydrated from good ingredients is crucial for keeping your hair and scalp healthy year-round.
Some people who have naturally dry hair swear by adding a little bit of natural oil to their hair. If you do this, focus on putting it primarily on the ends and working up toward the middle. You can then add a very small amount to the top of your head, but if you have an oily scalp, you may want to skip this step altogether. While natural oils are good for the hair, too much oil can interfere with healthy hair growth and scalp skin cell turnover.
What else?
You can (and probably should) take several other steps to get healthier hair, like eating a nutrient-dense diet, reducing stress, and ensuring you have no underlying scalp conditions preventing your hair from being its healthiest. However, the effects of those modifications can take some time to see in your hair, so the sooner you make necessary changes to your lifestyle, the quicker you will see more long-term results.
If you are unsure where to begin with bettering your hair, you can always start by meeting with a good hair stylist to get your hair analyzed. Alternatively, you can chat with a Product Advisor at DS Laboratories to learn what hair care systems will help you achieve better hair in a short amount of time.
