New Year’s Resolutions for Healthy Hair: 2026 Edition

Alright loves, we’ve made it through Christmas, we're making a dent in the new year, the fizz and picky bits are gone, and now it’s time for the only resolutions you’ll ever catch me nagging about—how you treat your hair.

As I’ve already harped on, forget “New Year, New Me”—let’s go for “New Year, Same You… just with glossier hair and a scalp that’s feeling fabulous.”

Ready? Let’s crack on.

1. Prioritise Your Scalp Health

Let’s start at the roots: your scalp is the foundation for everything that grows above. The “skinification” of hair is everywhere for good reason—healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Once a week, treat your scalp to a gentle exfoliation, just like your face: think salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or fruit enzymes. Nothing too harsh though loves. Put down that 90s exfoliating glove—remember those? I swear I’m still missing a few layers of skin from my face thanks to one of those in my teens.

Hydrate with a few drops of squalane or jojoba oil, and if you’re feeling generous with your time, a little scalp massage is magic. It’s proven to aid blood flow, encourage growth, and helps release all the tension we hold in our scalps (which, let’s be honest, is a lot these days). When you’re next down the shops looking for a good scalp treatment, these are the ingredients I want you to look for: salicylic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide, squalane, and peppermint oil—thank me later. And don’t forget the soothing sidekicks: aloe vera and panthenol—they’re like a spa day for your roots.

2. Repairing Damaged Hair

If your hair’s feeling a bit frazzled after all those festive nights out and a few too many goes with that new Christmas Airwrap, you’re not alone. Mine’s pretty parched too. This is your sign to slather on a deep conditioning mask loaded with hydrolysed proteins (keratin, silk, wheat—these are your first step towards smooth, strong hair).

But when you throw colour or chemical processes into the mix, it’s time for bond-building ingredients. These clever molecules get deep into the core of the hair and repair broken bonds, not just making it feel softer on the surface, they actually MAKE it healthier. Because of this, your hair might not feel as silky as you're used to straight away after a bonding treatment—but trust me, it’s doing the Lord’s work. On those ingredient labels, here are the buzzwords you want: hydrolysed keratin, silk or wheat protein, amino acids, coconut oil, and those bond-building actives (look for things like bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, maleic acid, or succinic acid derivatives). My personal FAVOURITE is the K18 range.

And please, promise me you’ll use heat protectant every single time you style. Let’s aim for swishy, not singed.

3. Boost Growth & Thickness

Let’s be honest—most of us wouldn’t say no to a bit more thickness and oomph...

The secret starts on your plate: eat your protein, iron, and B vitamins—biotin is your best mate. You can get biotin as a supplement, but food sources are always better: leafy greens, eggs, nuts, and whole grains, plus enough water! (I know we’re all guilty of not drinking enough, but it’s a key ingredient for luscious hair.)

On the outside, caffeine and peptide serums can help support the hair follicles, and a good scalp massage (or even a bit of microneedling, if you’re feeling brave) keeps the blood flowing where it matters. Rosemary oil? It’s not just for roast potatoes—it went viral on TikTok for good reason. Look out for: Biotin, B12, iron, caffeine, copper peptides, and rosemary oil as your first port of call if you want to encourage thickness.

4. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Central heating and winter winds will happily turn your hair into straw if you let them. Hydration is your best defence: use masks and conditioners packed with humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and emollients like shea butter and squalane. Hydrate from the inside too—drink your water! Ditch the harsh sulphates in your shampoos; they strip away the good stuff. After washing, seal in that moisture with a lightweight oil or a leave-in conditioner. Look for ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, shea butter, argan oil, ceramides, and aloe vera—your hair will thank you with softness, manageability and shine.

5. Reduce Hair Loss & Shedding

If you’re seeing more hair in your brush than usual, don’t panic—losing a bit more hair at this time of year is totally normal. Be gentle with your scalp, avoid tight, slicked-back styles, and try serums with caffeine, niacinamide, or a botanical DHT blocker—especially for the guys - DHT is the primary hormone linked to male hair thinning. Saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil both have peer-reviewed evidence behind them for blocking DHT, before progressing onto a prescription medication. My go-to product for this are Nioxin.

I know, this one is going to be asier said than done—but it really does make a difference, slow the stess. As studies show stress can seriously affect your hair and skin.

And finally, if you’re worried, get your vitamin D and iron checked. You’re not alone, and it’s more common than you think. There are loads of options and treatments available if your shedding is more than just the usual seasonal shed.

For more information, book an online consultation—here.

Hair Care FAQs

1. Can I use the same shampoo year-round or should I switch for winter?

It’s best to switch to a more hydrating, sulphate-free shampoo in winter, especially if your hair feels drier or more brittle. Central heating and cold winds can strip moisture, so look for formulas with glycerin, panthenol, or oils for extra nourishment.

2. Do scalp massages really help hair growth, or is it a myth?

They genuinely help! Regular scalp massages boost blood flow, which supports healthy hair growth and can even help relieve scalp tension. Use your fingertips (not nails) and try a little oil for added slip and nourishment.

3. Will cutting my hair make it grow faster?

Not exactly—cutting your hair doesn’t affect growth from the root, but regular trims do help prevent split ends travelling up the hair shaft, so your hair looks thicker and healthier as it grows.

4. Is it bad to wash my hair every day?

Washing daily isn’t necessary for most people and can strip natural oils, especially if you use harsh shampoos. Aim for every 2–3 days, or adjust to your hair type and lifestyle. If you exercise or sweat a lot, use a gentle, sulphate-free cleanser.

5. Why does my hair go static or frizzy in winter, and how can I fix it?

Dry air and synthetic fabrics (hello, bobble hats!) cause static and frizz. Combat this by keeping hair hydrated, using leave-in conditioners, and switching to a satin or silk pillowcase or hat liner. A tiny amount of oil or serum smoothed over dry ends also helps tame flyaways.

So there you have it—your 2026 hair care resolutions, sorted. Whether you’re after thicker strands, a healthier scalp, or just want to dodge the annual winter shed, these are the simple, science-backed steps to get you there.

Remember: you don’t need a new you, just a little more love for the one you already are...