Letters from A Model: My Secrets to Healthy Hair
The dreaded ‘BHD’… Bad Hair Day. Sometimes it feels so disastrous we just want to call it a day and chill on the couch at home. We’ve all been there… I certainly have! And I don’t blame my hair for having momentary freak-outs. I have put my hair through bleaching, ghastly chops, extensions, bangs… all four at once! You name it, I’ve done it!
The world of modelling takes its toll from time to time, and whilst I love my job, a definite downside is the strain it puts on my hair. From rainy Auckland winters, to Singaporean humidity, to the sun, salt and sand in Sydney, modelling has exposed my hair to a multitude of weather conditions. Sitting in the hair chair has also subjected it to excessive amounts of heat, tight hairstyles, countless products, hairspray, and even glitter... that stuck around for weeks!
But I’ve come to consider some of my horrendous hair experiences a rite of passage, shall we say. It’s even made me somewhat of a hair guru! (if I do say so myself). Luckily, I’ve come in leaps and bounds since my hair disasters, and have figured out a few ways to keep my hair looking and feeling its best, no matter what my career throws at it. So today, I’ll share my secrets and what I’ve learnt over the years so you too can find a routine that works for you…
A GUIDE TO HEALTHY HAIR
- It Starts from the Inside
It is fairly common knowledge now that when it comes to most things in the realm of beauty, it starts from the inside. From what we eat to the supplements we take; our hair requires a variety of nutrients to thrive. A couple of supplements that I take that I LOVE and are known to benefit hair health are vitamin D and collagen.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D has a multitude of benefits, one of which being that it is an essential part of having and maintaining strong and healthy hair. Research has found that a deficiency in vitamin D can lead to hair loss, so getting enough vitamin D is a must! According to cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, “Vitamin D is metabolized in the skin by keratinocytes, skin cells that produce keratin. When the body does not have enough vitamin D, the keratinocytes in hair follicles have trouble facilitating hair growth, resulting in shedding and hair loss.”. Vitamin D deficiencies are increasingly common, as it can be difficult to get enough of it through our diets and the sun alone. Because of this, I prefer to take a daily vitamin D3 supplement to keep my hair thick and healthy.
Collagen
Another supplement that is a daily go-to for me is my collagen powder. Collagen is a protein that our bodies naturally produce that forms a foundation for holding various cells together. However, as we get older, collagen production slows, and it can be a good idea to take a collagen supplement of some sort to help stimulate collagen production. Collagen powder has a variety of potential benefits when it comes to hair health including providing necessary amino acids that are used to build the keratin that makes up our hair, it is known to help fight damage to hair follicles by acting as an antioxidant to fight damage caused by free radicals, and helping to prevent thinning of the hair. I personally use the Thin Lizzy Age Reverse Collagen Peptide Powder, as I prefer to use a bovine collagen. This is because bovine collagen contains type I collagen, which is the most effective when it comes to keeping our hair looking its best.
- Stay Out of the Heat
When it comes to the pursuit of long healthy hair, the heat is not your friend (in more ways than one). Firstly, prolonged exposure to UVA and UVB rays from the sun can cause damage to the outside cover of our hair strands. This can cause damage can present itself as, dryness, fizziness, and brittleness. Also speaking of heat, our heated hair tools can be responsible for any damage our hair is experiencing. Because I’m not willing to give up my pin straight hair or loose curls, I like to use a heat protectant spray before I style my hair, to minimize the damage.
- Use the Right Tools
A lot of us don’t think twice about the everyday tools we use on our hair, but don’t underestimate the power of a good quality comb and brush. Especially as we head into the summer months, a wide tooth comb is an essential for every girl’s beach bag. I especially love how using a wide tooth comb doesn’t cause breakage when I’m needing to detangle my hair after a swim on a beach day. The humble comb has been a long-time lifesaver for me, however a more recent addition to my hair kit is a boar brush (I use the Thin Lizzy Smile Styler Brush). Boar brushes use boar bristles, which invigorate the scalp, aid in regulating the distribution of oil, and give your hair shine by sealing the cuticle. My boar brush is also amazing at detangling my hair, as its bristles are really soft, so it can easily glide through my hair without causing any damage.
- Hydrate
We all know that staying hydrated is important for our bodies, but this is true for our hair as well! Water makes up almost 25% of the weight of a single strand of our hair, so drinking at least two litres of water a day can help strengthen our hair and increase growth. However, hydration doesn’t stop there. I know sometimes I find my ends feeling a bit lack luster and in need of some hydration. This is where I can recommend popping some oil in, to bring your hair back to life. Hair oiling is a practice that has existed in Indian culture for over 5000 years! Working natural oils, such as coconut oil, into the scalp and ends of your hair can help to hydrate and nourish your hair, leaving it shiny and soft. It is one of my favourite ways to help treat my hair when it’s feeling a little “blah”.
- Washing
Your hair washing routine can also have a big influence on your hair health. I try to wash my hair sparingly so as not to strip it of its natural oils. Furthermore, Using the right shampoo and conditioner is a must. I have found the Thin Lizzy Xcellerate35 shampoo and conditioner the best for improving my hair growth and thickness. This is because they contain ingredients such as silk amino acids, which protect hair from moisture loss and provide smoothness, and PCA (Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid) which helps to improve hair strength and repair damaged hair bonds. After I’ve finished washing my hair, I like to rinse it with cold water, to help close my hair cuticles to lock in the shine. Running the Xcellerate35 serum through my hair post wash is a relaxing self-care ritual I enjoy, that is also benefitting my hair health. Win-win!
So, whilst a bad hair day is inevitable from time to time, there are definitely some great tips and tricks that I have picked up through trial and error, that have helped my hair evolve massively. Give my secrets a try and figure out a regime that works for you!
