6 Simple Ways to Support Hair Growth and Keep Your Hair Healthy
I never really thought much about hair loss until I experienced it myself. After having COVID, I had a high temperature for about a week, and a few months later I started noticing that I was losing much more hair than usual. It was coming out in the shower, on my brush and even when I was simply running my fingers through it.
It was definitely unsettling, but rather than panic, I started looking at the simple things I could change to give my hair a little more care and support. I made some changes to my hair routine and became much more mindful of how I was treating my hair day to day.
While everyone's hair is different, these are six simple things that have worked well for me and can help support healthier-looking, stronger hair.
This article has affiliate links to Still Suain and TYMO, meaning I receive a small commission at no cost to you. If you decide to make a silk purchase, please use my link. :)
If your hair is falling out, it is a good idea to check with your GP first to rule out any underlying medical condition. The following tips helped me but don't constitute medical advice.
1. Use a Wide-Tooth Comb or Brush
One of the first changes I made was swapping my regular hairbrush for a wide-tooth wooden hairbrush. I chose a TEK brush, made in Italy, with wide teeth that are much gentler on my hair. This is the one I bought; check the descriptions for the one that suits your hair type best.
When hair is wet, it can be particularly easy to pull, tug or break, so I try to be as gentle as possible when detangling it. A wide-tooth comb/brush allows me to work through tangles without constantly pulling at my hair.
I start at the ends and gradually work my way upwards rather than dragging the comb from the roots all the way down. It takes a little longer, but my hair feels much less stressed afterwards.
2. Sleep on Silk
Another simple change that I love is using a silk pillowcase — and you can also use a silk bonnet if that's more comfortable for you.
Regular pillowcases can create friction as you move around during the night, which can leave hair feeling tangled and rough by morning. Silk gives your hair a much smoother surface to rest against.
I particularly like this change because it requires almost no effort. You simply go to bed! If you don't want to switch your pillowcase, a silk bonnet is another option. Either way, the idea is to reduce unnecessary friction and be a little kinder to your hair while you sleep.
Use my discount at Still Suain and save 15% off your silk products with code: Rebecca15 at the checkout.
3. Wash Your Hair Less Often
I also changed how often I wash my hair. Instead of washing it several times a week, I now wash it once a week.
Obviously, this is personal and won't work for everyone. Hair type, lifestyle, exercise and scalp needs can all make a difference. But if your hair is dry or fragile, washing it less often may be worth trying.
The less often I wash my hair, the less often I have to put it through all the brushing, drying and styling that comes afterwards. My hair feels happier when I leave it alone a little more.
I use my TYMO hair curler. And the curls last the full week! I am able to brush them with my Tek hair brush, and they magically recurl. I have no idea how they do it as my natural curls do not behave like that at all! You can save 20% off your TYMO curler if you buy via my link! You can read more about how to use it in my review.
4. Be Gentle When You Wash and Dry
When I do wash my hair, I concentrate my shampoo on my scalp rather than running shampoo all the way down the lengths. The shampoo naturally works its way through the rest of the hair when it is rinsed.
For conditioner, I like using a bond-building conditioner to help my hair feel stronger and more manageable. I use the L'Oreal Elvive Bond Repair.
I'm also much more careful when drying my hair. Rather than vigorously rubbing it with a towel, I gently squeeze out excess water and try not to over-brush it while it's wet.
The biggest lesson I've learned is that hair doesn't need to be fought with! The less pulling, tugging and aggressive brushing, the better.
5. Give Your Scalp a Massage
A scalp massage is another lovely habit I've added to my routine, and it's one of the easiest things to do.
When I'm washing my hair or simply relaxing, I'll use my fingertips to gently massage my scalp. I don't scratch or use my nails — just gentle circular movements with my fingertips. I was doing this every day for the first few months.
Apart from feeling wonderfully relaxing, it gives me a reason to slow down and pay a little attention to my scalp. Sometimes the simplest habits are the easiest ones to stick with.
6. Swap Regular Hair Ties for Silk Scrunchies
Finally, I've become much more careful about what I use to tie my hair back.
Regular hair elastics can grip the hair tightly and can sometimes pull on the same areas repeatedly. I've started using silk scrunchies instead, particularly when I'm putting my hair up at home or before bed.
They're gentle, soft and much less likely to leave my hair feeling like it has been pulled into submission!
Use my discount at Still Suain and save 15% off your silk products with code: Rebecca15 at the checkout.
Final Thoughts
I don't think supporting healthy hair has to involve a complicated routine or a bathroom cabinet full of products. For me, it has been about making small, consistent changes and treating my hair with a little more care.
After going through a period of hair loss, I became much more conscious of how easily we can put our hair under unnecessary stress. Being gentler with it, reducing friction and paying attention to my scalp have all become simple parts of my routine.
And sometimes, when it comes to looking after ourselves, those little everyday changes can make the biggest difference.
