Healthy hair isn’t just about what you put on it - it’s about how you care for your scalp, body, and lifestyle, too. To celebrate nine years of Noughty, here are nine habits to help you get the very best out of your hair.

1. Massage before you wash
   A pre-wash dry scalp massage - using your fingertips or a scalp massager – stimulates microcirculation, feeding the follicles with oxygen and nutrients. It also helps to loosen sebum plugs and debris so your shampoo can cleanse more effectively. Plus, you don’t need to scrub so hard in the shower, which can irritate the scalp leading to itching and soreness.
2. Use a chelating shampoo weekly if you live in a hard-water area
   Minerals like chlorine, calcium and magnesium in hard water can cling to the hair shaft, leaving it rough, dull, and resistant to moisture. A chelating shampoo, like Detox Dynamo, works harder than a clarifier alone, removing those mineral deposits so your hair feels softer and looks shinier.
3. Harness the power of molecular repair
   If your hair is feeling fragile or over-processed, Noughty’s hair science is here to help. Treatments like Let’s Bond Leave-In Treatment contain amino complexes designed to repair bonds deep within the hair fibre, restoring strength closer to its original, pre-damaged state. Think of it as scaffolding for weakened strands.
4. Handle wet hair with care
   Hair is at its most elastic and vulnerable when wet, so it’s important to reduce friction. Instead of rubbing with a towel, blot gently or use a microfibre wrap. Swap out your brush for a wide-tooth comb to detangle, this minimises breakage and protects against hygral fatigue (the stress caused by hair swelling and contracting when wet).
5. Feed your follicles with silica-rich foods
   Healthy hair starts from within. Silica, found in foods like oats, cucumbers, and bananas, supports collagen cross-linking in the dermis. That means stronger connective tissue around your follicles and better tensile strength for the hair itself. Try adding a silica-rich boost to your breakfast.
6. Protect against pollution
   City living, traffic fumes, and UV exposure can all generate free radicals that dull the hair and damage its surface. Antioxidant-rich leave-ins, such as Thirst Aid, help to neutralise these aggressors, leaving your hair feeling soft, smooth, and more resilient.
7. Move your body for your hair
   Exercise doesn’t just benefit your heart and muscles - it boosts circulation to your scalp. More blood flow means more oxygen, amino acids, and nutrients reaching the dermal papilla, the growth hub of each follicle. Whether it’s a jog, yoga, or resistance training, your hair will thank you.
8. Support your scalp microbiome
   A balanced scalp microbiome is essential for follicle function. Using products with gentle surfactants and scalp-friendly actives - like the Kind to Biome certified Care Taker Shampoo and conditioner or the Get Set, Grow Growth tonic - helps support your scalp to produce healthy hair.
9. Prioritise deep sleep
   Your follicles are affected by your circadian rhythm. Chronic sleep restriction can negatively impact the growth (anagen) phase, leading to increased shedding. Prioritising deep, restorative sleep not only boosts energy and mood but also gives your hair the time it needs to grow strong.

Ready to optimise your entire routine? Here's Kate's advice