My Hair Journey
I’m just going to come right out and say it, my hair is a personality trait. I’ve had thick, wavy hair since I was a kid and it is probably the physical feature of mine that I’ve been complimented on the most. I used to hate having big hair as a kid, especially during the straight hair trend of the early 2000s, and never truly appreciated it until I was a bit older. Between the maintenance, frizz, and size, I was always feeling frustrated when styling it.
It wasn’t until college when I truly started to realize that having thick hair is a super power. I learned how to embrace curls, use styling tools properly, apply the right product, and overall how to feel more confident with my hair type. It started to make every outfit look better and I felt incredible.
I still struggled with the amount of hair I had because no matter what there was always a lot of it and the shedding was out of control. Or so I thought. Once the pandemic hit, the next 2 years would be some of the hardest I’ve experienced when it comes to hair maintenance. I did a ton of research on physical health post-pandemic and many articles share that whether you had COVID or not, it absolutely can cause hair loss/change. Our world was turned upside down for years at a time and the stress we all felt likely caused more physical and mental stress than we know.
I noticed in 2022 that my hair was thinner, lighter (weight-wise), and shedding worse than ever before. I compared photos (shown below) and noticed the difference in volume. This was SO hard for me to deal with. I also recognize my hair looks good, so I’m not trying to make a problem out of nothing lol I could physically feel a difference and visibly see a difference, so I knew something had changed. It wasn’t until 2023 when I decided to do something about it.
Between research and managing my stress and anxiety, I paved my way to stronger, healthier hair. I have SO many great tips and regardless of your hair type, you can certainly benefit from these steps.
Here’s a few ways to revive your hair back to health:
Stay hydrated and eat these foods
It goes without saying, but I must mention it. Drinking plenty of water everyday has endless benefits for your body including your hair. Make sure to increase your water intake everyday because you’re likely not hydrating properly. 64oz of water a day is a general guideline, but many studies suggest more. If you need assistance meeting your water goal, invest in a Stanley. They are not only a social media craze but they carry the amount of water you need without refills and fit right in your car console.
As for food, incorporate more eggs, spinach, greek yogurt, avocado, berries, nuts, salmon, & sweet potatoes. These foods offer an abundance of health benefits, but hair health is one of them.
Use Anti Hair-Thinning Shampoo & Conditioner
This was a game-changer. I did some research on shampoo & conditioner for hair loss and ended up trying PURA D’OR and absolutely loved it. Just after a month I started noticing a difference and my hair actually started to grow back. 6 months in I had all these pesky fly aways at the top of my head and I was like “what the heck, why is my hair so frizzy all of a sudden!” I realized it was tiny fly away hairs that were growing back. I had dozens of them but learned to tame them with this fly away hair stick and waited for them to grow out. Now my hair has grown back to normal and I have this product to thank for that. I can’t recommend it enough!
Wash your hair once a week
I understand this isn’t doable for everyone and it is very dependent on your hair type. For example, people whose hair tends to get greasier likely can’t wait a week, but the general idea is to wait as long as you can to wash it. Even every few days can make a difference.
If you have thicker hair, you should be able to wait 5-7 days before washing it. The natural oils and scalp needs moisture and are healthier when undisrupted.
You can always use dry shampoo if you need it later in the week! I like Living Proof Dry Shampoo the best.
Leave in conditioner while showering
I’ve done this for years, but I find that once I shampoo, rinse, condition, and leave it in for the duration of the shower, my hair is always smoother the week after.
Rinse at the end with ice-cold water
This is a little salon-proven secret to healthier hair. If you can bare it, step out of the shower at the end and rinse out your conditioner with ice-cold water from the shower head for a few seconds. This does wonders for locking in the conditioner and smoothing out your hair.
Do a deep conditioning hair mask every once in a while
I wouldn’t overdo this, but doing a deep conditioning mask once a month is a great way to revive your hair back to health. The mask helps reduce breakage and split ends, improve elasticity, and generally keeps your hair healthy. I like the Briogeo hair mask best.
Use Microfiber hair towels to dry your hair
Another game changer. I stopped using towels to dry my hair before blowdrying and instead wrap it up in a microfiber towel for an hour or two before letting it air-dry. So much better for your hair!
Add collagen to your coffee or smoothie
Collagen is proven to help with the health of hair, skin and nails. Adding this to your coffee or smoothie, perhaps every other day, is a great added benefit to your routine. It’s a great supplement improving strength, structure, and support. I use Orgain Hydrolyzed Collagen Powder and love it! Lasts a long time too.
Avoid coloring your hair
This is hard for me as I love to get a balayage once a year, but I highly recommend avoiding coloring your hair and to limit it to once a year if you have to. Highlights and dyes severely strip the hair strands of necessary oils to keep it healthy and can really affect the texture and look of your hair overtime.
Try Heatless curls
Heatless curls are all the rage right now and can be a great option if you have the time. I’ve used this one for the last year and mastered the style and shape I prefer. You can sleep with them overnight but I find the curls get a bit whacky from sleeping and moving around, so I suggest doing it for 2-4 hours during the day at home to get the best results.
Always use a heat protectant when styling with heat
If you do need to use a heating tool to style your hair, always always always use a heat protectant. I like coconut oil the best but hear very mixed reviews on if oil is best as a heat protectant. I’ve tried using a heat protectant spray but never like the texture of my hair after I use them. I suggest experimenting with heat protectants to see what you like best.
Use a high-quality blow dryer
I bought the TREZORO blowdryer and love it. It’s powerful but gentle when you need it to be with both hot and cool settings. This is so important for anyone looking to dry their hair without frying it. It might take a little longer on the lower setting, but it’s so worth it.
Remember that everyone’s hair type is different so modifying as necessary is great because you want to lean in on what works for you. I hope this blog post was helpful and gives you some new tools to revive your hair back to health! You can find all of these products and more linked directing to my Amazon storefront.
Let me know if you have any questions and be sure to follow me on Instagram at @jesslitras to stay connected!