Healthy hair doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from small, consistent habits that look after the scalp, protect the strands and support hair as it grows. Whether your goal is healthy hair, long healthy hair or healthy thick hair, the good news is the same principles work for all three.
This guide breaks down the simple routines that genuinely improve hair strength, shine and thickness… without complicated steps or unrealistic promises.
What Healthy Hair Actually Looks Like
Healthy hair isn’t just shiny on the outside. It’s strong enough to resist breakage. You don’t need perfectly thick lengths to have ‘healthy’ hair, you just need hair that behaves and feels like its best version. And that starts with your scalp, your routine and a few clever habits.
How to Get Healthy Hair: The Essentials
Start With a Healthy Scalp
If your scalp isn’t happy, your hair won’t be either. Think of the scalp like soil; healthy roots need a healthy base.
A few simple habits help:
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Wash often enough to prevent build-up and flakes
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Don’t scratch or over-exfoliate
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Use lightweight hydration if your scalp feels tight or dry
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Keep heavy oils away from the roots unless your scalp genuinely needs them
A clean, balanced scalp encourages stronger, more resilient new growth.
Wash Smart: Not Too Much, Not Too Little
The way you wash makes a bigger difference than how often you wash.
If your hair gets oily quickly:
Wash every 2-3 days. A clean scalp gives your hair better lift, movement and shine.
If your hair is dry, curly or textured:
You can wash less often (every 3–7 days) as long as you’re cleansing properly each time.
The technique matters:
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Shampoo should be focused on the scalp, not the full lengths
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The conditioner goes on mid-lengths and ends, not the roots as this can weigh them down and cause build up on the scalp.
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Rinse thoroughly to avoid dullness
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If your hair feels heavy by day two, it’s usually product build-up
This alone can make your hair look healthier almost instantly.
Condition With Purpose
Healthy hair needs moisture, but not too much. Apply conditioner from the ears downward, focusing on the driest areas. If your hair is curly, coily or coarse, you can take it higher, just avoid the scalp.
Once a week, use a deeper conditioning treatment or mask to restore softness and elasticity. A hydrated strand is far less likely to break, which is essential for anyone wanting longer, thicker hair.
Be Kind to Wet Hair
Hair is at its most fragile when wet, so the small things count.
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Detangle before you wash if your hair knots easily
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After showering, squeeze water out with a towel, don’t rub
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Use a wide-tooth comb rather than a brush
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Let your hair air-dry a little before styling if possible
Gentle handling adds up to dramatically fewer split ends.
Protect Your Hair From Heat (Every Time)
Some people have a view that heat is the enemy of hair. However, this isn't exactly true… unprotected heat is.
Before using a hairdryer, straightener, or curler, always apply a heat protectant. It creates a buffer that keeps moisture inside the hair and prevents rough, fragile cuticles.
When heat styling:
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Use a ceramic or ionic hair dryer with a concentrator nozzle
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Keep straighteners and curlers on the lowest effective temperature
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Avoid going over the same section repeatedly. If your hair is already feeling fragile from colouring or lightening, see our guide on how to repair bleach-damaged hair and restore your natural colour.
Support Hair From Within
When trying to improve hair health, we are often focused around hair routines and using products that will help transform our hair. However, a balanced diet truly will help.
Hair loves:
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Protein (for strength)
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Iron (for growth)
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Omega-3 fats (for softness)
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Zinc (for reduced shedding)
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Plenty of water
So incorporating a nutrient-rich diet sets up thicker, smoother, more resilient hair over time.
A Focused Approach for Different Hair Types
If the aim is to increase the length of your hair or the thickness, most tips remain the same. However, there are some specific habits that will aid you on your journey to your desired hair goals.
How to Get Long, Healthy Hair
Growing long hair isn’t really about speed, it’s about retention. Your hair is growing. The real challenge is keeping it from breaking faster than it grows.
Here are some quick tips that actually make a difference:
Trim strategically, not frequently
You don’t need a cut every month, but every 10–12 weeks helps prevent split ends from travelling upward.
Keep the ends moisturised
Dry ends split faster. A tiny amount of lightweight oil or serum on the lengths only (never the roots) helps keep them flexible.
Avoid ‘aggressive’ brushing
Start at the ends and work upward. Tugging from the top is one of the fastest ways to lose length.
Protect hair while you sleep
A silk pillowcase or loose protective style keeps your lengths smoother and safer.
Choose gentle styling tools
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If you use straighteners or curlers, pick tools with temperature control and smooth, even plates.
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For drying, a ceramic or ionic hair dryer is less harsh than basic styles.
Do these consistently and your hair can finally retain the length you’ve been trying to grow. For further detail, explore our detailed guide on hair growth tips.
How to Get Healthy, Thick Hair
Thickness can mean density (how many strands you have) or fullness (how those strands behave). You can’t change your genetic density, but you can maximise the health and appearance of your natural thickness.
Focus on scalp circulation
Regular scalp massage boosts blood flow and supports stronger growth. Use fingertips, not nails.
Avoid heavy products
Thickening isn’t about coating hair. Heavy oils and waxes can often make hair look thinner.
Keep breakage to a minimum
When fewer strands snap, your hair looks thicker. Small habits create visible volume over time and using our tips in this guide will help you prevent any further pesky breakages.
Strengthen the strand
Ultimately, the more hydrated your hair is, plus consistent heat protection and gentle handling, the fuller it will look
Common Mistakes That Make Hair Look Unhealthy
Reading, and most importantly, digesting hair care guides can often feel overwhelming as you try and remember all the tips and tricks. So we’ve included a short section to summarise mistakes you may be making in your day-to-day habits to help you know where to start.
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Using too much product
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Not rinsing shampoo or conditioner fully
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Brushing hair when soaking wet
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Overusing heat on the same sections
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Wearing tight ponytails every day
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Switching constantly between harsh chemical treatments
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Ignoring scalp dryness or flaking
Fixing just one or two of these can dramatically improve hair appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions for Achieving Healthy Hair
Why is my hair so dry and dull?
Most dryness comes from heat exposure, harsh shampooing or lack of moisture. Adjusting your wash routine and adding weekly conditioning helps quickly.
How can I get my hair to grow faster?
Healthy growth depends on scalp care, a balanced diet and reducing breakage. You can’t drastically speed up growth, but you can retain more length.
Should I avoid heat completely?
No, just use heat protectant, controlled temperatures and good-quality tools. Healthy hair and heat styling can absolutely coexist.
Can hair be over-moisturised?
Yes. Too much conditioner, masks, or oils can make hair limp and stretchy. If your hair feels overly soft but lifeless, balance moisture with protein-rich treatments or simply reduce product use for a week.
Should I take hair supplements?
Not necessarily. If your diet is already balanced, with protein, iron, zinc and healthy fats, then supplements may not make much difference. They’re most helpful when you’re deficient in something.
