A head full of glossy hair is pretty much on everyone’s wish list but very few of us achieve this without a little extra effort. The key to achieving healthy hair is to approach it in three ways:

• What we put inside our body

• What we put on our hair and scalp 

• How we care for our hair

What do we need to know about hair growth?

Hair is made from a protein called keratin, and each strand of hair grows from a keratin-cell-based root at the base of each hair follicle. Over the course of a year, on average we will produce six new inches of hair, but each hair on our heads will be born, live and die at a different pace to the one next to it, and each hair will go through four cycles:

• Anagen (growth/active phase)

• Catagen (the end of active hair growth)

• Telogen (a resting phase)

• Exogen (shedding, when hair strands are released from the follicle and fall out) 

But these cycles can be affected by inhibitors such as stress, hormonal changes, certain medications, age, environmental factors or dietary deficiencies. So let’s take a look at what we can do to achieve peak hair condition.

What to include in your diet and why

Aim for a diet rich in organic, lean, grass-fed red meat (which contains protein and healthy fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids), and fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines. 

Protein builds hair structure: The keratin that makes up the major part of our hair is formed from amino acids that are created when proteins are broken down during digestion. So an adequate intake of protein is essential for strong, healthy hair follicles, to reduce the risk of hair shaft breakage, and to achieve a shiny, fuller, and bouncier appearance.

Omega-3 fatty acids boost scalp hydration: Omega-3 fatty acids can help keep the scalp moisturized, leading to softer, shinier hair. They encourage natural oil production (sebum) on the scalp, which helps to add luster to your strands.

It’s not always easy to know if you are getting enough iron but you can check your thyroid and ferritin levels in case they are impacting your hair health. A functional doctor can recommend a simple blood test to measure your ferritin levels (indicating iron storage) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, which assess thyroid function. If you’re low on ferritin, your doctor may recommend eating more iron-rich foods like red meat, leafy greens, and legumes or taking a supplement.

Healthy Hair Products

holi (mane) -  our exclusive product combines two daily powerhouse super foods: marine collagen (for thicker looking hair) and pearl powder (for softer, silkier hair).  It also has over 30 trace minerals, including silica, magnesium, calcium and potassium that support the appearance of optimal hair, skin and nail health.  Just add one scoop to your morning matcha, coffee or smoothie.

holi (radiance) - we created holi (radiance) to work alongside holi (mane). The magic ingredient here is OptiMSM®, a high-grade antioxidant. It’s a sulfur compound often called a beauty mineral that helps build keratin and collagen - two proteins that are key for healthy hair, skin and nails. 

calm (beauty) - a daily sachet of calm (beauty) will reverse thinning hair. Bursting with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids including spermidine (which strengthens hair growth), taurine, organic tart cherry, vitamins D and B6, and magnesium citrate, it brings your body back into a state of natural rest and calm, improving your sleep while reversing skin damage and thinning hair.

holi (locks) -  our leave-in overnight holi (locks) bonding, detangling, anti-hair fall serum is a topical treatment that will strengthen, bond and smooth strands while diminishing breakage, shedding, and stimulating healthy hair growth. The results bring longer, denser, and healthier hair.

holi (growth) 84 is our brand new intensive, leave-in scalp treatment that stimulates growth, minimizes shedding, and nurtures the scalp for transformative results. Featuring clinically-backed ingredients and a luxurious botanical blend, this clean formula promotes visible growth in as little as 84 days.

Stop coloring and over processing your hair. Bleaching, coloring, perms and relaxers all strip away the hair’s natural oils and proteins and can leave it excessively dry and brittle, more likely to break, and looking dull.

Reduce the use of heat on your hair. Let it dry naturally whenever you can. Use a heat protectant spray before you style your hair. Lower the exposure to heat by using styling tools with adjustable heat settings.

Use natural accessories: If you tie your hair back, use a silk scrunchie. Give your hair a break from time to time by switching up your ponytail height and alternating with looser styles.  If you always tie it tightly in the same spot it can weaken the hair. At night, banish bed-head by sleeping on silk pillow cases. The smooth texture helps reduce tangles, frizziness, and breakages in your hair and they can absorb less moisture than some other pillowcase fabrics, allowing your skin and hair to stay better moisturized, so your face will thank you too!

At the spa: Cover your hair if you’re going in a sauna or steam room, or wet it before you enter. Another great tip is to apply holi (locks) before you go in and let it work its magic while you relax. 

Ocean swimming: Wear a hair cap into the ocean. Salt water dehydrates and breaks hair as much as bleach. 

Use a scalp-stimulating comb: Hair follicles need a steady supply of blood to function well. Our stainless steel gua sha scalp comb is a luxurious massage tool that stimulates hair growth by encouraging circulation and bringing nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles.

Invest in a good hairbrush: Regular hairbrushing, gently and lightly for just a minute or two,will stimulate your scalp, remove impurities and tangles, and bring on soft, shiny hair. Jena’s favorites include:

• The Conair Ceramic Wood Nylon Bristle Cushion Paddle Hair Brush

• The Radiance Brush from Sisley Paris

• The N.04 Massaging Detangling Hair Brush ‘The Miracle’ in Cherry Red, from la bonne brosse

• The Handy Nylon Hairbrush N3 from Mason Pearson

The journey to healthy hair can take time, but you will soon notice improvements all round when you incorporate these steps to nourish every inch of your hair, from follicle to tip, from inside and out.