the secret to lush, thick hair is the environment it grows in

Hair is a reflection of the environment it grows in. Healthy hair begins in the foundation beneath it.

And that foundation starts with what you're feeding your body.

Once nutrients enter your system, your body prioritizes and allocates them towards essential functions that keep you alive first. Brain, heart, organs, that sort of thing. 

That means your hair is working with whatever nutrients are left.

Because it’s only after those VIP needs are met that your body directs vitamins to your hair. Most daily nutritional recommendations are designed around what your body needs to function, not what your hair needs to thrive. Which is why a nutrient rich diet matters if you want a thick head of hair.

Foods like eggs, avocados, sweet potatoes, berries, leafy greens, salmon, legumes, and nuts provide many of the vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and proteins that healthy hair depends on. 

None of them are magic on their own. There isn't one superfood that's going to wake up your hair follicles overnight. But together, over time, they create the kind of internal environment where healthy hair has the best chance to grow.

Once our foundation is sorted, then we can focus on adding topical potions.

The scalp is the most neglected part of our beauty routine.

It’s aging six times faster than the skin on our face.

And now that we know that, scalp treatments have become one of the fastest growing categories in beauty. A healthy scalp is clean, balanced, and well hydrated. That means regularly removing product buildup, excess oil, and dead skin while avoiding harsh cleansing that can leave the scalp irritated or stripped.

A healthy scalp supports healthier follicles, and healthier follicles create better conditions for healthy hair.

I've been testing AREY's To The Root Scalp Serum, which I like so far. Beyond leave in treatments like that, scalp care includes exfoliating serums, hydrating scalp masks, lightweight barrier supporting oils, and clarifying shampoos to remove buildup. Many hair spas also incorporate scalp steaming and circulation boosting massages to create the best conditions for hair to grow.

The final addition to getting gorgeous hair is the beauty aisle's most overlooked secret: dandruff shampoo.

Shampoos containing ketoconazole, like Nizoral, reduce scalp inflammation which restores balance to the scalp microbiome which then creates a better environment for hair follicles. Clinical studies found that consistent use of ketoconazole shampoo can reduce hair shedding, increase hair shaft diameter, and improve overall hair density. Participants used ketoconazole shampoo 2-3x per week, leaving it on the scalp for 3-5 minutes before rinsing to give the active ingredient time to work.

No flakes and more hair? Sounds pretty good.

Healthy hair is the result of a multi-faceted process. Nourish yourself, care for all parts of your body, including your scalp. Make it a mantra to reduce inflammation in your life, in every form. 

And watch your beautiful hair grow from the healthiest foundation possible.