The benefits of drinking water are well known, but did you know that you can use water to help your hair? Drinking water on a regular basis gives your body the vitamins and minerals it needs, keeping your hair healthy and strong. Here are seven benefits of drinking water for hair.
1) Hair growth
Regularly drinking water will keep your hair healthier, as it hydrates your scalp. If you’re suffering from dry or damaged hair, adding a few extra glasses of water to your diet could make a big difference! Even if you’re already eating healthy foods and taking vitamins, proper hydration is an essential part of healthy hair care.
Just make sure that whatever you put in your body isn’t wreaking havoc on your tresses—stick to water rather than sodas or alcohol. These liquids often contain chemicals or artificial ingredients that can cause breakage and damage to your locks.
You might be surprised to learn that it’s actually hard to tell if someone is dehydrated just by looking at them. It’s not uncommon for people to mistake thirst or hunger pangs for actual hunger, and drinking too much can actually cause some serious health problems down the road.
If you notice your breath is bad, you have dry lips or eyes, or you simply feel excessively thirsty during your day, make sure to drink a glass of water as soon as possible! If you still feel thirsty after that glass, chances are you need more—but don’t overdo it! Over-hydrating can also cause serious damage and side effects.
2) Prevents inflammation
When water is ingested, it travels through your body and eventually enters your bloodstream. When it reaches your capillaries (the tiny blood vessels in your scalp), they expand to allow more water in. This increase in volume flushes out toxins that can cause inflammation and hair loss. By removing these toxins, drinking plenty of water helps prevent inflammation—one major cause of hair loss.
If your scalp is inflamed, you can use a cool compress to help soothe it. Before using, clean your hair with an anti-bacterial shampoo and water, as well as an anti-fungal product to combat any itchiness or dandruff you may have. Next, fill a bowl with cool water and add in some mint leaves or peppermint oil (about 10 drops).
Place your head over the bowl and cover it with a towel, letting it sit for at least 30 minutes. The cooling sensation helps relieve inflammation by providing temporary relief from any swelling on your scalp caused by allergies or dandruff.
3) Cleanses toxins
Let’s face it, we have a lot on our plates in terms of chemical exposure. One way to ease up on your body’s exposure is to cleanse regularly and drink lots of water. Did you know that you can put some castile soap in your shower and use it like a body wash? This helps get rid of any residue left behind after using products containing chemical ingredients such as dyes or fragrances.
It’s also a good idea to try rinsing with different types of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar, that help balance pH levels in your scalp and eliminate dryness caused by chlorine from swimming pools or hard water from sinks and showers.
4) Locks in moisture
As you age, your body loses water more quickly than it does when you’re younger. If you aren’t adequately hydrated, your hair may dry out and become brittle or frizzy. By drinking plenty of water every day, especially throughout times when it’s hot outside or during periods when you sweat more (like during exercise), you’ll reduce your chances of having dehydrated hair. Drink up! Your hair will thank you.
Another reason you should drink plenty of water every day is to avoid dehydration. When you’re dehydrated, your body retains more fluids (particularly in your hair and scalp), which can make your hair feel limp and greasy.
With proper hydration, on the other hand, it’s easier to achieve healthy-looking hair because it won’t lack volume or be weighed down. Dehydration can also lead to dandruff, causing itching and flaking, so always be sure to stay well-hydrated.
5) Replenishes nutrients
Did you know that hair actually needs water to stay healthy? If your scalp is dehydrated, it can’t help keep your strands moisturized. Dehydration can also make hair brittle and prone to breakage. When you drink water regularly, it replenishes nutrients in your body (including your hair), which makes it easier to maintain its luster.
Some experts even recommend sipping a glass of water when you’re blow-drying so that you don’t overheat your locks and cause damage. It’s basically like using conditioner as part of your styling routine!
Over time, dehydration can also cause your scalp to stop producing natural oils, which means you may need to add an extra hair-care step when washing and conditioning. This is why many experts recommend including a moisturizing conditioner in your hair routine. Just make sure it’s lightweight—too much weight or silicone can actually cause dryness. Oh, and one more thing:
Even if you’re already good about drinking water, be sure to check with your doctor that you’re getting enough! There have been a few studies recently suggesting that many people aren’t drinking nearly enough H2O for their body’s needs.
6) Relieves headaches
Sometimes dehydration can cause headaches, so drinking more water can relieve them. When you’re not hydrated, your brain signals to your body that it’s tired and needs a break. It doesn’t matter how much sleep you get—if you wake up with a headache, chances are good that you didn’t drink enough water during the day.
If you wake up with a throbbing head, try drinking a tall glass of water before getting out of bed—you may just find it helps ease some pain and leaves you feeling less lethargic.
Aside from headache relief, drinking plenty of water can also leave you feeling less tired in general. If you struggle with fatigue, it could be that your body is low on fluids, so try taking a drink first thing when you wake up and adding a glass or two to your daily routine. You’ll likely notice an energy boost without having to take a caffeinated beverage or even eat something before you head out.
Over time, this can help reduce your dependency on stimulants and improve how well your body metabolises food. That means that even if you skip breakfast—something that so many people do these days—you won’t suffer much as long as you remember to drink plenty throughout the day!
7) Maintains skin hydration
Skin is made up of cells, and those cells are filled with water. If you’re dehydrated, your skin will begin to appear less supple and look wrinkled. By drinking enough water each day, you can ensure that your body continues to hydrate your skin as it should. This will lead to softer, more supple skin and reduce wrinkles over time.
If you have dandruff, you might notice flakes and itchiness. As it turns out, that’s a sign of dehydration. Dehydration causes skin cells to lose their elasticity and cohesion, which leads to itching.
Drinking water can help reduce flaking caused by dandruff so your scalp feels softer and less itchy, which means you’ll be more likely to want to wear your hair down instead of in a bun or ponytail.
Conclusion
Your hair can look and feel amazing when it’s hydrated, but sometimes you just don’t have time to stop and down that glass of water. This is where drinking water for hair can come in handy—water is fundamental to hair health, so taking some extra steps to ensure your tresses are well-hydrated will reap major benefits. Here are seven ways drinking water can benefit your hair!
