The silky, shiny, glossy hair, who doesn’t want that, right? But does achieving that shine seem elusive sometimes? Finding natural ways to get healthy, smooth and shiny hair?
Just hold on there. Whether you have been battling dryness, frizz or just looking to enhance your hair’s natural shine, consider you are in the right place. In this article, I am going to discuss the secrets to achieving smooth and shiny hair naturally, without exposure to harmful chemicals. But before trying to shine your hair better, you need to understand what makes your hair dull and lackluster in the first place.
Why does hair become dull?
From environmental stressors like UV rays, pollution, and dirt to poor nutritional diet, poor lifestyle habits, various chemical treatments and a lot of other factors can contribute to hair damage and take away the shine of your hair.
The outer layer of hair strands is called the cuticle which plays a crucial role in hair shine. Normally a healthy cuticle lies flat, reflects light and gives hair its glossy appearance. But when hair gets damaged by various factors it causes cuticles to lift and make your hair dull and lifeless.
How to get shiny hair?
The journey to shiny hair is not that hard actually. It just requires a mix of good practice, proper hair care and the right products. There are a lot of tips and tricks you may get everywhere. But If you are wondering which are effective or which ones you should follow, let’s have a look at the steps that helped me and I am sure will help you too to get shiny hair.
Cleanse your hair properly
The first thing you can do to prevent hair dullness is to clean it properly. The dirt, pollution and oil buildup in hair are responsible to make your hair lackluster. And cleaning the hair properly helps to restore its natural shine by removing dirt and excess oil.
Look for a shampoo that is free from harsh chemicals like sulfate and parabens. Try to use products with hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil and glycerin.
Avoid skipping conditioner
You want shiny, healthy hair but somehow forget to use conditioner after shampoo. Can we expect shiny hair here? No! If you want moisturized, healthy and shiny hair, conditioner is a must.
Conditioner replenishes the moisture that shampoo strips away, prevents dryness and makes hair softer and more manageable. And eventually, your well-moisturized hair will reflect light better and add a natural shine.
Apply a leave-in conditioner
To add extra moisture to your hair, try to use a leave-in conditioner. After washing your hair, apply a leave-in conditioner to lock in moisture and smooth the hair cuticle. Focus on the mid-length to the ends of your hair. It will help to keep your hair moisturized throughout the day, add shine and reduce frizz. It will also make your hair smooth and protect it from the outer environment.
Maintain a healthy diet
You can’t expect your outer beauty without taking care of it from within. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports healthy hair growth and appearance. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and flaxseed, and those rich in vitamins A, C, and E, such as leafy greens and nuts are particularly beneficial for hair health. So don’t forget to add some greens and other nutritious ingredients to your regular menu.
Protect your hair from environmental damage
Your hair can lose its shine by harmful UV rays, dirt and environmental pollutants. So every time you go outside try to protect your hair by wearing a scarf, or a wide-brimmed hat. There are plenty of hair products available with built-in UV protection. You can also use these to shield your hair from sun damage.
Limit heat styling
I know, this one is hard to skip. But do you know that the more you use heat in your delicate hair strands, the more it will get dry, dehydrated and damaged and finally lose its natural shine? Heat is the direct enemy of your shiny hair journey. But I understand, in our daily hectic schedule it’s also difficult to wait for natural air drying of hair or sometimes when going out for a hangout or party, you can’t completely say bye to your heat styling tool.
So I am suggesting limiting the use of heat-styling tools here instead of completely avoiding them. If you must use them, do so occasionally, but don’t make it a part of your regular routine. And most importantly, never forget to use a heat protectant spray beforehand to minimize the damage.
Deep conditioning treatment once a week
Use a deep conditioner or hair mask once a week to nourish and hydrate your hair. A deeply nourishing conditioner penetrates the hair shaft more effectively than a regular conditioner and makes your hair healthy and appear shinier. Incorporate products containing moisturizing agents, protein and nutrients like argan oil, keratin and shea butter in your hair care routine.
Drink plenty of water
The easiest way to get healthy, shiny and glossy hair. Whatever steps you take, whatever costly products you use, will not work if your hair is not hydrated properly. You can use a hydrating product but to get a proper result, you must try to repair your hair from within. And here come the savior, water!
Aim for drinking at least eight glasses of water a day and make sure your hair gets the moisture it needs from the inside out.
Mistakes you should avoid to get shiny hair
Over-washing
Be careful not to wash your hair more than 2-3 times a week. Hair cleansing is necessary, but over-washing may result in a counter-effect. Washing your hair too often can strip it of its natural oils and lead to dryness and dullness.
Hot shower
As I said before, heat is the direct enemy of your hair shine journey. You may argue a hot shower may be relaxing, but trust me, it’s not worth the damage your hair goes through. Hot water strips the hair of its natural oils and makes your hair dehydrated, dull and lackluster. Rinse your hair with warm or cool water if possible. It will help to maintain the natural shine of your hair.
Rough towel drying
We often overlook this and don’t even realize how easily we are damaging our hair. vigorously rubbing wet hair with a towel makes your hair break and frizz and strips away the natural shine.
So instead of rubbing, squeeze out excess water from your hair and use a soft microfiber towel or an old t-shirt to pat your hair dry.
Final words
Though nothing better comes without effort, healthy, shiny hair doesn’t necessarily require tons of costly products or hours of your time. Just follow these easy tips and tricks and see how just with a little extra care, your hair shines bright every day.
