6 Lifestyle Changes For Healthy Hair Growth

Why is Healthy Hair Important?

Many strive for thick, healthy hair — and it’s completely natural to have a confidence hit when your hair doesn’t oblige. But full, healthy hair isn’t just about appearance. It’s also a reflection of your overall health and wellbeing. Limp, weak, or thinning hair can be a sign of an underlying health issue, such as a nutritional deficiency, hormonal imbalance, or autoimmune condition.

1. Use Hair Strengthening Products

Skip the miracle shampoos that promise overnight volume. If they sound too good to be true, it’s because they are. 

Real hair growth takes time.

The dermatologist behind The Hairy Pill®, Professor Rodney Sinclair recommends picking hair products that are just right for your hair type and texture. 

Dr Sinclair told ABC Everyday that most people choose the wrong shampoo for their hair. Instead, he recommends leaving the choice to the pros. 

Next time your hairdresser is trimming your hair, ask them for their shampoo or hair mask recommendations based on your hair type.

Recommended ingredients for hair strengthening products:

• Aloe vera
• Peptides
• Glycerin
• Jojoba oil
• Olive oil
• Coconut oil

Alongside skin care products, there are also medicated hair products for problems like an itchy or flaking scalp. 

These products contain things like fungicides or anti-yeast agents to address the root of the problem for better scalp care and can be used whenever you wash your hair.

Expert tip: Ask your stylist for a product recommendation at your next haircut, and stick to it for at least 8 weeks before judging the results.

2. Maintain a Healthy Diet for Hair Growth

Hair is mostly made of protein and your hair follicles rely on essential vitamins and minerals to thrive. Without these nutrients, your hair may suffer.

According to a review from January 2017, deficiencies in iron, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D have been linked to increased shedding and, in some cases, slower regrowth. 

Considering this, it makes sense that a good diet can promote strong, healthy hair growth. 

Important nutrients for hair growth include:

• Protein: lean meats, fish, beans, and eggs

• Iron: red meat, leafy greens, and legumes

• Zinc: nuts, seeds, and seafoods

• Omega-3 fatty acids: salmon, chia seeds, and walnuts

It’s easy to reach for a bottle of hair growth supplements, but it’s much safer to eat a naturally balanced diet. If you think you may have a nutritional deficiency, visit your GP for tests before supplementing your diet.

Expert tip: Aim to include a source of protein in every meal to support hair health. 

Learn more about the best foods for hair growth.

3. Reduce Hair Loss from Stress

A bit of everyday stress is unlikely to pose a risk to your lustrous locks, but studies have found that acute or chronic stress may cause hair loss.

Take this study published in the journal Nature in March 2021. In it, researchers found stress hormones put hair follicles to sleep and stop them from growing new hair, causing a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. 

Once you take away the stress signal, the follicles wake up and start regrowing hair. 

To reduce a build-up of stress (and its related hormones), try easy and affordable stress management techniques, including:

• Daily movement
• Regular journalling
• Meditation and breathing exercises
• Hobby immersion
• Restful sleep

Expert tip: Set a recurring daily reminder to check in with your stress levels, pause, breathe, and reset.

4. Try to Avoid Over-Styling Hair

Snatch ponytails and braids are OK for special events, but too many days of tight hairdos can put too much stress on your hair follicles. 

There’s even a specific name for hair loss caused by constant pulling or tension on hair roots: traction alopecia.

A 2016 literature review by John Hopkins Medicine confirmed a ‘strong association’ between scalp-pulling hairstyles like dreadlocks and weaves, and gradual hair loss. According to the study, about a third of all African-American women experience it. 

Heat styling, chemical treatments, and other excessive styling habits can also lead to damaged, brittle hair. 

We’re not saying never do it. Just limit the frequency and duration of:

• Tight ponytails and braids
• Cornrows
• Dreadlocks
• Hair dyes
• Bleaching
• Hot hairdryers, straighteners, and curling irons

And instead, consider:

• Loose buns and plaits
• Wearing your hair out
• Heatless curling
• Spacing out chemical treatments

Expert tip: Use a heat protectant spray every time you style your hair with heat.

5. Protect Hair from Sun Damage

From early childhood, every Aussie is taught to slip, slop, and slap, but we often overlook the importance of that last word. 

Slapping on a hat isn’t just about protecting your complexion. It’s also about protecting your hair.

That’s right. The sun can damage your hair too, especially if it’s a light colour. 

According to a 2008 review, excessive exposure to the sun is the most common cause of hair damage. UVB rays break down keratin (the protein hair is made from) while UVA rays fade your natural hair pigment, which can leave hair more fragile and brittle. 

A 2022 study of blonde hair found that sunlight also depletes the natural lipids that protect and moisturise hair, leaving it weaker and drier. 

Signs of sun damage to hair include:

• Dryness
• Brittleness
• Split ends
• Discolouration
• Frizzy hair
• Dullness
• Increased breakage or thinning

Learn more about the impact of weather on your hair. 

But a few simple lifestyle changes can protect your hair. These include:

• Avoid being out in the sun in the peak heat of the day
• Wear a tightly-woven or UPF protective hat or a scarf over your hair
• Cover yourself with an umbrella or seek shade where possible

Expert tip: Apply a leave-in conditioner with UV protection before you go outside on hot days.

6. Use Proven Hair Loss Products

Even if you tick every good hair care box, factors like genetics, hormonal changes, and aging can still cause hair loss. 

That’s where evidence-based treatments come in. 

Options backed by research and approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) include:

• Topical minoxidil: shown to reduce hair loss and encourage hair regrowth in about 60% of women, according to a 2018 clinical assessment published in the Australian Journal of General Practice. 
• Prescription oral medications: such as finasteride for men, which has been shown to either maintain or improve hair growth in 90% of men.

Personalised treatments like The Hairy Pill®, combine clinically proven ingredients with supportive nutrients for a holistic approach. 

Expert tip: Always consult a qualified medical professional to find the most suitable treatment based on your hair type, health history, and goals.

How to Promote Hair Growth: Quick Tips

Healthy hair growth is all about consistent habits, so here’s your cheat sheet of the best tips from this article to keep you on track:

• Choose products with proven ingredients like aloe vera and peptides.
• Eat protein-rich foods like poultry, beans, and fish every day.
• Manage stress with exercise, hobbies, or meditation.
• Limit tight hairstyles, heat tools, and harsh chemicals.
• Protect hair from harmful UV rays with hats or SPF leave-in conditioner.
• Consult a doctor about proven medical treatments if shedding persists.

Looking to Get Treatment for Your Hair Loss?

Improving your hair health starts with simple lifestyle changes, like eating a balanced diet, managing stress, and treating your hair gently.

But hair growth isn’t always in your control. If lifestyle changes aren’t producing the change you want to see, it might be worth exploring professional treatments. 

The Hairy Pill® is a personalised hair loss treatment that uses underlying technology invented by Professor Rodney Sinclair to help stop hair loss and stimulate hair growth. 

It contains a completely customised combination of medical grade ingredients to support and improve your hair health, all in a once-a-day treatment delivered to your door. Find out how it works.

The process is easy. Just take our hair assessment quiz to find out if you’re eligible.

FAQs

How long does it take to see results from lifestyle changes for hair growth?

It all depends on how consistent you are and what other factors may be affecting your hair health. Hair grows gradually (about 1 cm per month) — and there’s no real way to get hair growing faster — so you typically won’t see meaningful changes for 3–6 months.  

Can diet alone improve hair growth naturally?

While a diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals is essential for hair health, it may not be enough if you have genetic hair loss or hormonal hair loss. Healthy eating works best when it’s a part of a comprehensive approach that may include medical treatments. 

Do hair growth supplements really work?

Some supplements can help if you have a specific nutritional deficiency, but most people get the nutrients they need for healthy skin and hair from a balanced diet. It’s best to consult with a doctor and take a blood test before using hair growth supplements to avoid potential side effects.  

Are heat styling tools always bad for the hair?

Heat styling tools aren’t inherently bad and you don’t have to go cold turkey on them!

If you use them a lot and at high temperatures, they may damage your hair. But heat protection products, lower temperatures, and reduced use can help in preventing breakage and protecting your locks. 

When should I see a doctor about hair loss?

If you notice sudden shedding, excessive thinning, or patchy bald spots, or you’ve made lifestyle changes without results after 6 months, it might be time to see a doctor. 

A medical professional may be able to provide a treatment plan that helps you prevent hair loss while promoting hair growth.