Whether your hair is long or short, curly or straight, you need to know how to take care of it properly so it can look at its best. To take care of your hair, you really need information more than you need expensive products. Read on to learn the basics of hair care.
When shampooing your hair, make sure that your hair is completely wet before applying a quarter-sized amount. This minimizes breakage due to tugging and tangling, and it helps the shampoo to effectively cleanse each strand. Do not lather for more than 30 seconds, and rinse with a blast of cool water to seal in moisture.
While it is practical to use a blow dryer, you should limit the amount of time that you exposure your hair to the heat that is generated from them. Always towel dry your hair as much as possible so that you will spend less time exposing it to so much heat.
Be sure to wash your brushes and combs frequently. Any oils, grime, or other substances in your hair are passed to the comb and will be passed back to your hair, when you use them again. Take the time to soak them in warm soapy water and lay them out to dry on a towel.
When you are drying off your hair after a shower, do take care to be quite gentle. Vigorous and enthusiastic rubbing can cause hair damage and breakage to occur, not to mention, tough to remove tangles. Instead, take the towel and gently squeeze out the excess water, while delicately blotting the roots.
If you are using heat to dry your hair, move it around and avoid keeping it in one area of the head. This will decrease the chances of your hair sustaining any damages from using too much heat.
When washing your hair, you should start by rinsing it with water to get most of the impurities out. Then, gently massage the shampoo into your scalp and in the hair. Take your time and make sure all your hair is covered with shampoo. Rinse until all the shampoo is gone.
Focus on hair color products that contain conditioners and cause little damage. Though you may find inexpensive solutions for coloring your hair, the lack of conditioners could leave your hair strained and lifeless. The recuperation efforts that you will put into your hair after coloring will be reduced when conditioners are incorporated.
Use two conditioners when you wash your hair. Use one in the shower after rinsing the shampoo out of your hair. The other conditioner is a leave-in conditioner. It should be applied after you are out of the shower and you towel dry your hair. The combination of conditioners will reduce the static in your hair, as well as, leaving it healthy, soft and manageable.
Sometimes, you may be allergic to something in the air, which can affect the quality of your hair. Take a ride to the doctor’s to see if there is something airborne that is affecting your health or physical characteristics. This can help to nip the problem in the bud, so that it doesn’t become a more serious issue.
Don’t use bleach on your hair. While bleach can give you great sun-kissed highlights, it also wreaks havoc with your hair structure and makes it dry and brittle. When your hair is dry and brittle, it will break easily and will be difficult to brush. Even the most expensive hair conditioners can’t revive bleach damaged hair.
Do not brush or comb your hair while it is wet. Hair is very fragile when it is wet, and it is important to make sure you wait until your hair is, at least, mostly dry before you comb or brush it. The brush you use should also have soft bristles.
To improve the quality of air in your home, use a humidifier. This device can help to make the air in your home or apartment comfortable, while also restoring moisture to your hair. Keeping your hair moist is very important as you do not want it to dry out during the day.
After washing your hair gently blot hair instead of roughly towel drying your hair. This can easily break hair. You should run your hands along the length of your hair to gently squeeze out extra water. Once you have done that, pat the hair dry with the towel. Be sure to use a softer towel that is gentler on your hair.
A large, vented paddle brush is an excellent investment for those whose hair is very long and very thick. Taming this type of hair requires plenty of brushing. Using a paddle brush will speed up the brushing process. A vented one will help the hair dry faster, preserving its volume and bounce.
Teach yourself techniques for cutting your own hair. Going to a hair salon ever so often can end up being costly, so if you learn how to cut it yourself, you can save a good deal of money. There are plenty of tutorial videos at places like YouTube which will show you how to properly cut your own hair.
Apply a conditioner that can be left in if you are planning on drying your hair with a blow dryer. This will prevent hair from drying and eventually lessen the chances of it falling out when blow-dried. Of course, if you can stay away from the blow dryer altogether, that is what you should do.
Though it may seem a bit more costly, stick with professional-grade hair care products. Generic or low-price, low-quality products can leave you wondering what all the promises on the bottle are about. Professional level products are designed to maximize benefits with each use. If cost is a concern, look for specials on the quality products.
Hair care principles help you take care of your hair regardless of what type of hair you have. Now that you’ve read this article, you should understand what you need to do in order to keep your hair looking at its best. Good luck, and enjoy your new, healthier hair.