How to Stack Habits for Healthy Hair Growth

Building a healthy hair regimen requires a multi-pronged approach, and it starts with your scalp, which has its own ecosystem that needs to be cared for the right way. Product buildup, irritation and stress can all cause inflammation and disrupt the scalp’s environment in a way that can impact hair growth and lead to shedding. But stacking a few simple habits can help your scalp stay balanced, nourished and functioning at its best.

 

 

Habit	How It Supports Your Hair	Main Benefit
Eat gut-friendly foods	Whole grains, fermented foods, and fruits and vegetables feed the gut microbiome	Maintains the “gut-skin-hair- axis” to help hair grow stronger and thicker
Massage your scalp	Boosts blood flow and clears away dead skin	Helps follicles get the fuel they need to grow
Get enough protein	Your hair is made of protein, so your body needs enough to build strong strands.	Stronger hair structure and less breakage
Wash your hair regularly	Keeps oil and buildup from clogging your scalp	Reduces shedding and keeps roots healthy
Manage stress	Lowering stress helps keep hair in its growth phase and reduces shedding.	Fewer stress-related shedding episodes
Protect your scalp from the sun	Prevents UV damage that can weaken follicles and dry out hair.	Healthier follicles and stronger strands
Use gentle, sulfate-free shampoo	Keeps your scalp from getting dry or irritated	Protects shine and prevents breakage
Supplement your scalp with OMI	Supports follicles from the inside by strengthening hair structure and maintaining a healthy growth cycle.	Stronger, fuller-looking hair over time

1. Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet

You know the saying you are what you eat? Well, it’s true when it comes to your scalp too! A healthy scalp starts from the inside out. The following nutrients can help ensure your scalp stays in good shape and supports your hair growth cycle: Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish and seeds, can help reduce inflammation.[1] High-quality protein gives your body the amino acids it needs to make keratin. And antioxidants found in berries and leafy greens, can also help protect your scalp from damage caused by pollution and stress. 

2. Massage Your Scalp with a Massager

This habit is easy to stick to! (Who doesn’t love a good scalp massage?) Here’s why it helps your hair: Good circulation is also key to a healthy scalp, and massaging your scalp on a regular basis (with a massager or your fingers) can help get more blood flow to your hair follicles. This is important for delivering the nutrients that your hair follicles need to support the hair growth cycle. A scalp massage also helps get rid of dead skin, relax muscles, and make hair healthier overall.[2]

Right now you can get a free OMI scalp massager with your new 3 or 6 months subscription.

 

3. Wash Your Hair Frequently

It's actually a myth that washing your hair every day "strips" it. In fact, regular washing is necessary for keeping your scalp microbiome balanced and healthy. Washing your hair at least three times a week keeps sebum and dead skin cells from building up, which can cause inflammation and lead to an imbalance in the microbiome and fungal overgrowth.[3]

4. Choose Gentle, Sulfate-Free Products

Treat your scalp with the same care as your face. After all, your scalp is skin. Just as they can be irritating for your face, harsh cleansers with sulfates can strip your scalp of too much of its natural oils, which can cause dryness. Choose sulfate-free shampoos that are good for the microbiome and keep the scalp's pH level slightly acidic. These shampoos will help keep the right amount of bacteria and fungi on the scalp.[4]

5. Protect Your Scalp from the Sun

Your scalp can get sunburned too! The sun’s UV rays can damage your scalp and break down collagen around hair follicles. To avoid damage, inflammation and oxidative stress caused by the sun, wear a hat with a wide brim and consider applying SPF (sprays or powders) along your part line.[5]

6. Manage Your Stress Levels

Being stressed out doesn’t feel good mentally or physically, and chronic stress can take a toll on your body, including your scalp and hair. Chronic stress can raise levels of the hormone cortisol, which can cause hair follicles to stop growing and start shedding. While you can’t control when stress hits, there’s a lot you can do to ease the impact of stress on your body. Exercising regularly, doing yoga and meditation are a few habits that can help lower cortisol and systemic inflammation that can negatively impact your hair growth cycle.[6]

7. Optimize Your Shower Temperature

A really steamy shower feels good but hot water can strip away natural oils and make the bonds between the hair weaker. The best way to wash your hair is to start with warm water so you loosen the oils and open the cuticle. Then rinse with cool water to seal the cuticle and make it shine.[7]

The Takeaway

You don’t need an elaborate routine to keep your scalp healthy. A few habits are key, including: Cleansing your scalp regularly, choosing gentle products, protecting your scalp from the sun’s UV rays, managing stress, and massaging your scalp to maintain good blood flow to the hair follicles. Making these a part of your regular routine creates and maintains a healthy scalp environment. And in turn you get fuller, healthier, shinier hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a healthy scalp look like?

A healthy scalp should look clean and balanced, with no redness, flakes, sores, or too much oil on it. The skin tone should be even. It shouldn't feel tight, itchy, or irritated, and hair should grow evenly from follicles that aren't clogged or inflamed.

How do you keep a healthy scalp?

To keep your scalp healthy, you should wash it often to get rid of buildup without stripping away too many natural oils. You should also use gentle products that are right for your hair type, protect your scalp from the sun, manage stress, and eat a balanced diet that includes enough protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients to support follicle function.