Strengthening weak hair roots is a problem that many people face. Weak hair roots make the hair look lifeless and dull. No matter what type of hair care routine you follow, if your hair roots are weak, your efforts will go in vain as there will be no positive effect on the overall appearance of your hair. To avoid such problems and keep the hair roots healthy and strong, we must first understand what weak hair roots are.
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What is a weak hair root?
A weak hair root can’t support the length of your hair properly, resulting in thin, lifeless, and dull-looking locks.
There could be many reasons behind such poor condition of the hair roots, which include;
- coloring the hair,
- over styling,
- harsh chemical treatments like bleaching and straightening or chemical relaxers,
- pulling too much tension while braiding the hair tightly,
- using wrong products on the hair-like silicone-based serums which coat the roots instead of penetrating deeply & promote build-up.
Ten tips to strengthen hair roots
1. Balance your hair routine for strengthening weak hair roots
Over-styling is one of the most common causes of weak hair roots. Untimely washing, too much heat exposure, and stress all lead to excess sebum production on the scalp, which creates an environment for bacterial growth resulting in dandruff & conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or scalp acne.
2. Use shampoo & conditioner meant for your type of hair
Using the wrong products on the hair is another reason behind weak roots. If you use a shampoo that is too harsh on the scalp, the sebaceous glands produce more natural oils to counter this dryness leading to excess oil on the scalp. It, in turn, results in damaged hair, breakage & thinning of hair.
3. Conditioner is your best friend
Conditioners are known for strengthening hair roots by penetrating deep into the roots and nourishing them from within. Apply a good conditioner to wet the scalp and length of the hair and leave it on for at least 10 minutes before rinsing it off thoroughly.
4. Use a pre-shampoo hair mask once in 2 weeks
Hair masks are known for strengthening weak hair roots & also increasing the strength of the hair strands. Mix few drops of olive oil with an equal amount of honey and massage this mixture on your scalp & the length of the hair before going in for a bath. Keep it on for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it off thoroughly with water.
5. Use essential oils to strengthen hair roots & enhance blood flow
Essential oils are known to increase blood circulation deep within the scalp, which helps in strengthening the roots of your hair. Add few drops of lavender oil or rosemary oil to one teaspoon of carrier oil like olive or coconut and massage it into the scalp gently with circular movements. Massage for at least 15 minutes before going in for a bath & rinse it off thoroughly after your bathing session.]
6. Add gelatin & egg to your diet
Eggs are rich in iron, proteins, sulfur & biotin, which are essential nutrients to nourish the hair roots. Gelatin is known for strengthening weak hair roots. Add 2-3 tablespoons of gelatin to hot milk & stir well till it dissolves completely in the milk. Allow it to cool down a bit before applying it to your scalp & the length of the hair. Keep it on for at least 30 minutes before going in for a bath.
7. Moisturize hair daily
Moisturized scalp & hair conditions the roots and reduces the need to produce natural oils, leading to strong, healthy roots that stay nourished without falling flat even after few washes. Add one tablespoon of raw honey mixed with 2-3 drops of lemon juice to one cup of warm water. Stir well & apply it to the hair length before going in for a bath. Keep it on for at least 10 minutes before rinsing off thoroughly with water.
8. Use ion-exchange shampoos
Ion exchange shampoos are known to strengthen your hair roots as they contain sulfates known for drawing out the excess oil from the scalp. These shampoos are really helpful for hair growth & also keep hair clean without stripping off natural oils.
9. Avoid harsh chemical treatments like bleaching & straightening or chemical relaxers
Over-styling is another reason behind weak hair roots, along with split ends. Chemical treatments are known for weakening the hair roots & also lead to breakage of the hair.
10. Don’t use combs or brushes with hard bristles
Use soft bristles like a boar bristle brush or a wide-toothed comb during your bath routine. Also, do not tie wet hair into tight hairstyles like ponytails as it causes breakage & falling of the hair.
11. Trim dry ends regularly
Split ends are known for weakening your hair roots which automatically leads to breakage, thinning the hair & reduced growth rate. Therefore, it is important to trim dry ends regularly or get them trimmed by a professional every couple of months.
12. Reduce hair fall during brushing & washing of hair
Massage your scalp with warm coconut oil or olive oil before you shampoo your hair. Warm oils help loosen the knots, which causes tangling of the hair strands resulting in breakage of the hair roots when brushed roughly. Use wide-toothed combs while tying wet hair into a braid or ponytail.
13. Apply castor oil to your scalp daily before going in for a bath
Castor oil is known to promote hair growth & also prevents thinning of the hair due to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antioxidant properties. It also helps in strengthening the roots of your hair when massaged into the scalp with circular movements.
14. Use an egg white mask for thick hair
Whisk one egg & apply it on dry hair length from roots to tips, ensuring no hair strand is left out. Keep it on for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it off thoroughly with water. Repeat this method twice a week to get thick, healthy hair.
15. Use protein-based shampoos & conditioners
Protein-based shampoo & conditioners are known for strengthening your roots which helps in growing hair faster. Egg hair masks make the hair appear stronger by nourishing it from within, while aloe vera is known for reducing hair breakage due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin E is known for improving blood circulation to the hair roots, which are essential to reduce hair breakage.
16. Use pure coconut oil on the scalp & length of your hair before going in for a bath
Coconut oil is known for its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, which help in getting rid of dandruff. It also helps retain natural oil on the scalp & also works as a great conditioner for hair strengthening roots while conditioning the hair length. Warm coconut oil before massaging it into your hair would be more effective in stimulating blood circulation to the hair roots, making them strong & healthy.
17. Don’t comb wet hair
It is very important to make the hair strands completely dry before you comb them. Wet/damp hair can break the roots while massaging & brushing because it makes them weak and frizzy.
18. Get a protein treatment done from a professional at least once in two months
A protein-based treatment is known for strengthening your hair roots and also prevents breakage & split ends. It nourishes your scalp by replenishing lost proteins that naturally occur due to constant damage of the hair during brushing, washing, etc.
19. Eat healthy to get luscious locks
It would help if you were on a balanced diet rich in all the essential nutrients like proteins, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C & Zinc, which help prevent hair loss and nourish your hair from within.
Why my hair roots are weak?
There could be various reasons for hair fall, breakage & thinning, including age factors, hormonal imbalances, a diet deficiency, lack of proper blood circulation to the scalp, etc. In addition to this, stress also leads to the loss of proteins from the body, including the hair, weakening your roots.