With more time being spent at home, there is no better time than the present to focus on your tresses and achieve your mane goals. Healthy hair grows an average of around half an inch each  month, which means six inches over a year. Yet achieving healthy hair can be a task that seems even harder than figuring out a customised skincare routine.

While we’re happy to use targeted products and invest greatly for all our skin concerns, we tend to get a little laid-back with our hair. Taking shortcuts with your haircare for months together can cause more damage, make your hair dull and lifeless, and even stunt your hair growth.

Here are some simple steps to bring the focus back to your mane and encourage healthy hair growth.

1. WASH YOUR HAIR REGULARLY AND DO IT RIGHT

Seems pretty obvious but most of us do not wash our hair right. Product build-up, dead skin, dandruff and excess oil are just some of the elements our hair deals with. Choose the right shampoo for your hair needs. When washing your hair, be sure to rinse thoroughly, slather your shampoo evenly on the crown of your hair and don’t neglect the back of your head too. Finish up by rinsing with cold water. Coldwater boosts hair growth by helping with moisture loss and heat damage, so add this little step to your shower routine.

2. SCALP MASSAGES WORK

The new work-from-home normal can tend to come with uncertain start and end times. We are now glued to our digital devices while seated in one place for long so it is advisable to move about from time to time to get the blood circulation pumping. When you take one of these breaks in the day, let your hair down and give your scalp a dry massage to help you relax and refocus once you’re back to your screen. This also promotes blood circulation to the hair follicles resulting in a thick, healthy head of hair.

3. YOUR HAIR NEEDS WEEKLY MASKS TOO

Hair masks provide much-needed hydration, softness and shine for your locks, often in a matter of minutes. Depending on what your hair requires, there’s a hair mask for every hair type and condition and the intense treatment should ideally be done weekly to rejuvenate your crowning glory. Now that we’re home more, perhaps shower time could do with an extra hair masking step.

4. BE GENTLE WITH YOUR HAIR

If you’re prone to heat styling tools like hair straighteners and curlers, on top of daily blowdrying, your scalp and cuticles become stressed out which lead to hair breakage and hair loss, among other hair issues. Show your hair some much needed TLC. Wear your hair in a loose pony with a mulberry silk scrunchie that keeps your hair in place without causing kinks and they’re not pulling your hair back too hard, so it doesn’t cause your hairline to recede.

5. SNOOZE ON MULBERRY SILK 

Mulberry silk pillowcases create a smooth surface for your hair and skin to glide over – with less friction there will be less creases on your skin and less frizz in your hair. Silk also has inherent cooling capabilities and feels so luxurious to lie on. No matter how many hours of sleep you’re getting, use this silky advantage to give you the beauty sleep of your dreams, sans bedhead.

6. USE A GOOD HAIR BRUSH

Look for brushes that are rounded, come with a cushioned base, and are generally soft on the hair. Avoid next-day frizz and kinks with a detangler like Tangle Teezer’s Easy Dry & Go —it smoothes and tames hair quicker using its patented teeth technology with tips that slightly flex, draws away excess water, resulting in a satisfyingly silky mane. The right way to brush your hair is to start at the ends and gradually work your way up.

7. DIET PLAYS A PART

It’s no secret that good food leads to good hair. Lean on good protein for stronger, healthier hair such as fish, eggs, and quinoa. A bit of Vitamin C also helps, so consume oranges, kiwis, and broccoli. Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and mint are hair’s best friends too. Other recommendations to add to your diet include almonds, sweet potato, salmon, cauliflower, and beetroot. If you’re open to supplements, look for options with Iron, Biotin, Zinc, Vitamin B12 and amino acids.

8. LOSE THE STYLING PRODUCTS (AT LEAST WHILE YOU'RE HOME)

Too much heat can damage your hair, so use this time to lay off heat-protecting sprays, shine, and beach wave sprays, and heating tools. Let your hair breathe and grow naturally.