Use a shampoo which is as natural as possible. Try and avoid chemical laden products, especially those containing parabens and sulphates. Any product that comes into contact with your skin gets into the bloodsteam, so the more chemicals in a product the more harm they cause to general health, just as the more natural nutrients and minerals in a product the better for your overall wellbeing. Your hair reflects your general health and chemical products no matter how much they promise to improve your hair, in the long term they make hair dry and brittle.Alternate shampoos regularly - no matter how good your shampoo is when using for any length of time residue will build up. Alternating helps keep your hair and your scalp clear and healthy.
Don't be afraid of your natural oils! Never wash your hair every day as this will strip your hairs natural oils which ok no one wants greasy hair, but a certain amount are needed otherwise hair becomes dry brittle and basically lacking any nutrients.
If you must use dryers or irons etc. protect your hair by using pure coconut oil as a pre conditioner before shampooing. This natural oil (though solid at room temperature) strengthens the structure of the hair and helps to repair any damage. Coconut oil is always worth buying, as it can also be used as a natural body moisturiser making it great value for money!
Increase vitamin intake! Where possible through fruit and veg but supplements can help too. Many people lose their natural hair colour through lack of vitamins. One elderly lady many years ago had to go into hospital and part of her treatment involved having a very high dose of vitamins every day. By the time she left hospital her natural hair colour had started to grow back!! {mospagebreak}
Drink lots - preferably water. Now I've always been told I don't drink enough and that's partly as I can't stand drinking cold water, but I have found it easier to pour a glass and leave it for an hour or two to reach room temperature. This makes it much less of a chore to drink and it actually better for your organs too as apparently they don't like anything too hot or cold either. The body dehydrates surprisingly easily and when it does the water your body does have is diverted to the parts that need it most leaving hair skin and nails suffering.
Hair dye - now this is a tricky subject. I know people want to cover their grey or maybe just fancy experimenting with a new look, but dye's-especially used regularly- can cause all sorts of havoc on not just your hair but the rest of your body as well with some people claiming a link between the chemicals used in dyes and certain cancers. We are gradually seeing an increase in "natural" hair dyes many of which are based on henna (a flowering plant found in Africa, Asia and Australasia), but again check out the ingredients lists when considering which to buy. Henna dyes work more like a varnish on the hair protecting it, whereas chemical dyes open the hair up and get inside.
A way that many people experiment with their hair without resorting to dyeing is by using accessories. I'm not just talking scrunchies and hair bands. Nowadays there is a huge range of hair accessories available on the high street and online. Scarves, clips, ties are the most widely available but also keep an eye out for clip-in "flashes" (like extensions but available in wild colours), dreads and braids, they're a safe and quick way to change your look to suit your mood and they last a lot longer than hair dye ever will!
Brush your hair before you go to bed. And if you have long hair tie it back at night. The knottier your hair gets the more likely it's to break while brushing it. A good way to avoid static is to use a wooden brush and if its FCS approved it helps the environment too! Keep those split ends at bay and thicken thin hair by having regular small trims.