How To: Healthy, Beautiful Hair

courtneyrossi
Jan 6, 2015
4 min read

As 2015 begins, many of us make resolutions, set goals, or just refocus in general. Many of those resolutions and goals are often about our appearance, our emotional well being, or our health. A largely overlooked area of appearance and health is our scalp.

Courtney Rossi Artistry San Luis Obispo hair and makeup

We often wonder why our hair gets so oily, why we have flakes, or why our hair is limp, falling out, or brittle. And then we go buy another shampoo, another product, and still we have hair or scalp problems. Of course, I'm no doctor, but there are a few tricks that typically work, a few ingredients to avoid, and a few practices we can easily adopt that can make a big difference in our scalp and hair health. So, follow these simple steps for a healthier scalp and healthier hair, which equals beautiful, longer, stronger hair, which of course equals meeting the goal of a better appearance and getting healthier; and let's not forget that feeling prettier and healthier promote feelings of emotional well being. So, what I truly mean is, if you

follow these easy steps, all your 2015 resolutions & goals will come to fruition!

To begin with, you may not realize that you have an unhappy scalp. But that sucker is honestly the most important thing when it comes to our hair.

Our scalp can become unhappy due to product buildup, medication buildup, dandruff, side effects from harsh chemicals, general neglect,

and about a million other things.

First, brush that scalp! A good brushing rids the scalp of physical buildup, such as dead skin and medication buildup, and it also stimulates blood flow (which encourages growth!). My personal favorite is a humane boar bristle brush. When brushing your hair start at the ends to work out all tangles, then work your way up to your scalp. Not only does it feel good, but your scalp will thank you. That's what I call a double win!

Secondly, give that scalp a proper cleansing!

It can be very difficult to get certain buildup off of the scalp, such as medication build up, but you have got to get rid of that buildup for a healthy scalp. You will want to brush your scalp to loosen all the debris and then use a gentle yet effective cleanser. My personal favorite is a tingly tea tree shampoo- it will help remove buildup without stripping all the good, natural oils from your scalp and hair. A witch hazel shampoo will also help with an itchy scalp, and kill some fungi that may be causing dandruff. If you have serious buildup, you can give baking soda a try. Baking soda has natural anti-fungal properties in it, and it also has the right pH to clarify the scalp. You can just mix it with your shampoo and then massage it right onto your scalp or your “buildup spots.”

Thirdly, avoid harsh sulfates like the plague!

The worst offenders are: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Amonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS), Sodium Laureate Sulfates (SLES). These are known irritants. My advice, for the health of your scalp, your hair, and that expensive color or highlight, avoid sulfates! My favorite shampoo has Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate; which, confusingly, sound a lot like those “no-no” chemicals. Yes, all these chemicals can be confusing, so I would recommend doing some research before purchasing your next shampoo and conditioner.

Now that we've got those biggies out of the way, a few important tips are:

Don't forget how important your natural oils are for your hair. Brush your scalp all the way through to your ends and work your natural oils all the way down your hair shaft. I love to do this right before I go to sleep, and then french braid my hair. This is a FREE natural oil treatment. And when I wash my hair the next morning, my scalp is always happy from the brushing and my hair is always happy from the oil.

Again: double win!

Feeling like your hair is dull?

Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. Because of ACV's pH, it will help to close the top layer of your hair (the cuticle), which does all sorts of good for your hair, and when your cuticle is closed your hair will feel smoother and also reflect light better (shiny hair). ACV also is good for removing buildup on hair strands, which will also make your hair shinier and healthier.

And yet another: double win.

Avoid products with Mineral Oil and Petroleum. On your hair and your skin. This is always a hot debate. But these products don't let anything good in or out, or let your hair or skin breathe. If you're spending a lot of money on products, why would you slather something onto your hair or skin that then doesn't let good properties penetrate your hair or skin? Just sayin...

It's ok to supplement. Biotin & prenatals have been linked to speedier

hair and nail growth.

Frequent cuts are a Do. Frequent cuts are absolutely a do, but it's not for the reason you may have been thinking. A lot of my clients have mentioned to me they have heard that cutting off dead ends promotes hair growth. My scientific answer is yes and no- frequent cuts prevent the “dead ends” on your hair from traveling up your hair shaft and spreading the dead. Your hair growth is happening at the base of your hair, not the end, under your skin, in your hair follicle. And it's all the brushing and cleansing that we just covered that will actually promote healthy hair growth.

Fun fact-

All of your hair follicles have a tiny “goose-bump” muscle attached to them called the arrector pili.

When this tiny muscle contracts your hair stands straight up and you get a goose bump!

As always, got questions? I'll try to have answers!

Just shoot me an email or give me a ring!