The NIS³H Philosophy
A Holistic Foundation for Hair Health and Beyond
By Janine van Throo, Founder of Natural Hair Therapist & NIS³H Therapy
The NIS³H philosophy is not just a method—it's a mindset. It's a way of understanding and approaching hair health as an integral part of the whole person. It redefines hair care by anchoring it in wellness, sustainability, and the natural intelligence of the body.
The NIS³H wheel represents the six interconnected pillars of holistic hair health
At its core, NIS³H stands for:
These pillars are not arbitrary. They are interdependent, forming a framework rooted in two decades of work as a Natural Hair Therapist, supported by science, lived experience, and ancestral wisdom.
N - Nutrition
The foundation of healthy hair growth
I - Ingredients
What goes into your products matters
S - Scalp Care
The womb of the hair
S - Sleep Management
Recovery time for your body and hair
S - Stress Management
Balancing hormones for hair health
H - Hair Maintenance
Proper techniques for keeping what grows
The triple S (S³) within NIS³H highlights the often overlooked but essential connection between internal health and external hair behavior.
What Makes the NIS³H Approach Different?
Unlike mainstream beauty narratives that isolate hair from the body, NIS³H views the scalp as the womb of the hair and the body as the feeding soil.
In the same way a seed cannot grow without fertile soil, your hair cannot thrive without internal nourishment and external care.
Each of the six pillars of NIS³H is both a diagnostic tool and a care strategy. Together, they allow you to:
Pinpoint what your hair is missing
Understand why it's reacting the way it is
Address the root causes of breakage, hair loss, thinning, and stagnation
Create a sustainable routine that aligns with your lifestyle, body, and environment
NIS³H therapy is not a product system—it's a thinking system. It teaches people to think like a therapist when it comes to their own hair or their clients'. It invites you to move beyond dependency on trends and become an active participant in your own hair health.
The Six Pillars: A Deeper Look
1. NUTRITION
In the NIS³H philosophy, Nutrition is the first and most important pillar for a reason. Without proper nourishment, the body cannot produce healthy cells. And hair—just like skin, nails, and organs—is made up of living cells at its root.
When someone tells me their hair isn't growing, my first question is not, "What product are you using?" but rather, "What are you feeding your body to grow your hair?"
The Truth About Hair Nutrition
Hair is a non-essential tissue. That means when the body is under pressure—whether from stress, poor diet, illness, or hormonal shifts—it prioritizes the essential organs first: heart, brain, liver, kidneys. If your nutritional intake is lacking, the body will reroute its resources to keep you alive, not to make your hair thrive.
Key Nutrients for Optimal Hair Growth:
Proteins – The Building Blocks of Hair
Hair is made up of a protein called keratin. That means if your diet is low in protein, your body will struggle to produce strong, structured strands.
Key Protein Sources:
Animal-based: eggs, chicken, fish (especially salmon), turkey, lean beef, liver
Plant-based: lentils, chickpeas, black beans, quinoa, tofu, tempeh, hemp seeds
Bioavailable protein boosters: bone broth, collagen peptides, fermented dairy
B-Complex Vitamins – Fuel for the Hair Growth Cycle
B-complex vitamins are like the power supply to your hair's growth engine. They support everything from the production of red blood cells to the nourishment of hair follicles.
Key B vitamins include:
B7 (Biotin): Supports keratin infrastructure
B12 (Cobalamin): Critical for red blood cell formation
B9 (Folate): Supports new cell production
B3 (Niacin): Improves blood circulation to the scalp
B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Plays a role in sebum production
Fat-Soluble Vitamins – Nourishing the Scalp & Activating Growth
These vitamins are essential for scalp health and follicle function:
Vitamin A: Regulates sebum production and cell growth. Found in carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, dark leafy greens, and liver.
Vitamin D: The follicle activator. Get it through moderate sun exposure (15–20 minutes daily), fatty fish, egg yolks, and mushrooms.
Vitamin E: Protects the scalp and improves circulation. Found in sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, and avocados.
2. INGREDIENTS
What you put on your hair matters just as much as what you put in your body. The ingredients in your hair products can either support your hair's natural behavior or work against it.
Understanding Product Ingredients
Many conventional hair products contain ingredients that provide temporary cosmetic benefits but may cause long-term damage. The NIS³H approach emphasizes understanding what goes into your products and how those ingredients interact with your specific hair needs.
The Natural Ingredient Advantage
Natural Hair Therapist promotes ingredients that:
Work with your hair's biology: Supporting rather than fighting against your hair's natural tendencies
Provide nutritional benefits: Many plant-based ingredients offer vitamins and minerals that nourish both hair and scalp
Support sustainable practices: Ingredients that are responsibly sourced and environmentally friendly
Ingredients to Consider
Aloe Vera: Soothes the scalp and balances pH levels
Ghassoul Clay: Gently cleanses without stripping natural oils
Plant-Based Oils: Like jojoba, argan, and baobab that mimic the hair's natural sebum
Herbal Extracts: Such as nettle, horsetail, and rosemary that support scalp health
The NIS³H philosophy emphasizes that it's not just about "natural" versus "synthetic" ingredients. It's about understanding how ingredients interact with your unique hair and scalp ecosystem, and making informed choices based on your individual needs.
3. SCALP CARE
The scalp is the foundation of hair health—it's the soil in which your hair grows. Just as plants cannot thrive in poor soil, hair cannot flourish on an unhealthy scalp.
The Scalp Microbiome
Your scalp has its own ecosystem of beneficial microorganisms that help maintain pH balance, control yeast and bacteria, and support healthy oil production. When this microbiome is disrupted—through harsh products, infrequent cleansing, or internal imbalances—issues like dandruff, excessive oiliness, or dryness can occur.
Key Aspects of Scalp Care
Cleansing: Regular but gentle cleansing to remove buildup without stripping natural oils
Exfoliation: Periodic removal of dead skin cells to prevent clogged follicles
Circulation: Massage techniques to improve blood flow and nutrient delivery
Protection: Shielding the scalp from environmental damage and UV rays
In the NIS³H philosophy, we approach scalp care as a form of skin care. The scalp deserves the same attention and care that you give to your facial skin—it needs cleansing, nourishing, and protecting.
4. SLEEP MANAGEMENT
Sleep is when your body repairs itself, including your hair. During deep sleep phases, growth hormones are released that stimulate hair follicle activity and cellular regeneration.
How Sleep Affects Hair Health
Poor sleep can disrupt your hormonal balance, increase stress hormones like cortisol, and reduce growth hormone production. Over time, this can lead to hair thinning, reduced shine, and slower growth rates.
The NIS³H Sleep Approach
Quality over quantity: Focus on deep, restorative sleep cycles
Night-time protection: Using appropriate coverings like silk or satin to reduce friction
Evening routines: Practices that prepare both your body and hair for rest
Sleep position awareness: How you sleep can affect hairline retention and breakage
Think of sleep as your hair's recovery time. Just as athletes need rest days to build muscle after training, your hair needs quality sleep time to grow strong after exposure to daily stresses.
5. STRESS MANAGEMENT
Chronic stress can directly impact hair growth through several pathways. When stress hormones like cortisol are consistently elevated, they can push hair follicles from the growth phase into the resting or shedding phase prematurely.
The Stress-Hair Connection
Stress affects hair health through multiple mechanisms:
Hormonal disruption: Elevated cortisol can trigger imbalances in other hormones that regulate hair growth
Nutrient diversion: Under stress, nutrients are directed to essential organs rather than hair
Inflammation: Chronic stress increases inflammatory responses that can affect follicle function
Blood vessel constriction: Stress can reduce blood flow to the scalp, limiting nutrient delivery
NIS³H Stress Management Strategies
Mind-body practices: Meditation, breathwork, and yoga to regulate stress response
Adaptogenic herbs: Plants like ashwagandha and holy basil that help the body respond to stress
Movement: Regular physical activity to reduce cortisol levels
Digital detoxing: Setting boundaries with technology to reduce mental overwhelm
The NIS³H philosophy recognizes that stress management isn't just about mental health—it's an essential component of physical health, including hair vitality.
6. HAIR MAINTENANCE
Once your hair grows beyond the scalp, it needs proper maintenance to retain length and prevent damage. This pillar focuses on the physical handling and protection of your hair strands.
The Hair Growth vs. Retention Distinction
A critical understanding in the NIS³H philosophy is that:
"Hair growth is an internal process. Length retention is your job."
Many people focus on growth products when their real issue is breakage and poor retention of the hair they already grow.
Key Maintenance Principles
Gentle detangling: Proper techniques and tools to minimize breakage
Protective styling: Methods that reduce manipulation and environmental exposure
Moisture-protein balance: Understanding your hair's unique needs for strength and flexibility
Heat management: Minimizing heat damage through proper tools and techniques
Regular trimming: Removing split ends before they travel up the hair shaft
The maintenance pillar emphasizes working with your hair's natural patterns and tendencies rather than fighting against them. Understanding your unique hair characteristics allows you to develop customized maintenance routines that preserve length and enhance natural beauty.
Who Is This Philosophy For?
Individuals who want to grow and retain healthy hair
Parents and caregivers (especially adoptive parents) who need to understand and care for textured or unfamiliar hair
Salon professionals and aspiring Natural Hair Therapists
People transitioning to a healthier lifestyle
Anyone who has tried every product but still doesn't understand their hair's behavior
Those seeking a more holistic approach to beauty and wellness
NIS³H meets you where you are. It provides tools for beginners as well as advanced strategies for those seeking to become certified in the NIS³H methodology.
Begin Your NIS³H Journey
Ready to transform your relationship with your hair? The NIS³H philosophy offers a comprehensive approach that treats hair as an extension of overall health.
Remember: Your hair is a messenger from your body. When you learn to read these messages, true transformation becomes possible.
Book a Consultation
Discover how the NIS³H philosophy can transform your hair health journey. Our personalized consultations will help you understand your unique hair needs and create a sustainable plan for beautiful, healthy hair.
© 2023 Natural Hair Therapist. All Rights Reserved.
The NIS³H Philosophy - A Holistic Foundation for Hair Health and Beyond
By Janine van Throo, Founder of Natural Hair Therapist & NIS³H Therapy
Holistic solutions for healthier hair and a healthier you. Transform your hair by transforming your health.
All Rights Reserved. 2023 Natural Hair Therapist