In order to treat your hair properly, you need to know how to clean your hair. Certain shampoos on the market will damage your hair. Not everyone has the same type of hair, and what you want to do is match the type of hair you have, with a shampoo that works for you. The following article contains some excellent advice which will show you what to look for in a shampoo.
For those with curly hair, nix SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) from your hair care routine, for bouncy, care-free curls. SLS is a harsh stripping agent that robs your hair of essential oils. This creates the illusion of frizz and encourages breakage. You can spot this substance by checking the ingredients of your products.
It is crucial that you get a haircut every 5 to 6 weeks. This is because human hair grows about a quarter to a half an inch every month, and when hair grows, split ends tend to form. Getting a haircut this frequently will prevent split ends from occurring, while getting rid of any you may have.
Those with curly hair should avoid styling with heat regularly. Irons that reach over four hundred degrees can actually permanently alter the helices of your curls. This creates curls that are not uniform, and continues a dependence on the hair iron or blow dryer. Learn to love your curls and they will reward you with confidence!
For minimizing breakage, be sure that your hair is completely wet prior to applying shampoo. Don’t use any more than about a quarter-size dollop. Then proceed to rub the shampoo in between your palms to start with. Be sure to lather up for no more than 30 seconds or so.
When you are getting ready to wash your hair with shampoo, make sure that you rinse it out thoroughly before you apply the shampoo. This will remove any residue, such as dirt and dust that your hair may have accumulated. You will get more cleansing power from your shampoo by doing this.
Use leave in conditioner on your hair on a regular basis. This is particularly useful for those who have dry and brittle hair. Using a leave in conditioner is equivalent to using a daily moisturizer on the face. It will help keep your hair healthy and replenished and prevent damage.
Do not use any settings on your blow dryer that dry your hair with heat. Heat is very damaging to your hair, especially in an effort to dry your hair quickly. Use the cool setting, and dry your hair in a healthy manner. Doing this daily can make a big difference.
When you finish bathing, skip the blow dryer. Air drying your hair encourages volume and discourages frizz. If you must use a blow dryer, consider using it on the cool setting to encourage the sheath of your hair strands to lay down. This encourages the illusion of shine and is better for your hair than heat.
If you frequently swim, wet your hair prior to getting in the pool. This will prevent too much chlorine from getting into your hair. Unless you wear a swim cap, you should also take a few minutes to rinse and condition hair soon after you leave the pool; this helps to reduce the overall amount of damage.
To protect your hair from sun damage, it may be wise to wear a hat or other head covering if you know you are going to be the sun for an extended period of time. The sun causes your hair to dry out and damage, which is why it is crucial that you protect it.
Assimilate texture into your hairstyle. When hair is textured, the amount of time to style it is greatly reduced. You can add texture to your hair by cutting it, having a perm, or styling it differently. There are many textured haircut options available to suit every taste and lifestyle.
When your hair is wet, do not use a brush or comb. Your hair is more brittle when it is wet and the comb or brush will break it severely even if you are extremely gentle. Use your figures or wide tooth pick to untangle any knots as your hair air dries.
Check hair care products before you buy them as they may contain harmful ingredients and chemicals. Avoid alcohol in gels as it will dry your hair. Parabens, which are found in many products, have a possible link to cancer. Mineral oil may also be another carcinogen and glycerin may actually dry instead of moisturize.
If you hair starts to flatten out near the day’s end, try using a little bit of spring water. To do this, you can just spray some water onto your hair and then rub it in a little bit while moving your hands in a circular way. Doing so adds volume to your hair.
Use water to perk up your curls. If your curls tend to fall between shampoos, mist your hair lightly with water. Once your hair is slightly damp, curl your hair with your fingers. This will help add some pep to your curls until the next time you shampoo your hair.
Use blow-dryers with caution. Blow-drying can be harsh on your hair, so if you must use one, make sure you are using it correctly. Always aim the dryer so that the nozzle points down the shaft of your hair, away from your scalp. Use a round brush to isolate individual sections of your hair for drying, and use the cool setting to set your hair when you are done.
When split ends become a problem, the only rational thing for you to do, is face reality and trim them off. Although there are products and processes that can allegedly fix split ends, they are temporary solutions at best. Using a harsh product to tame split ends will only damage your hair further. The sooner you can bring yourself to trim your split ends, the faster you can get back to your ideal hair.
Now that you have read the above article, you should be familiar with all the different types of shampoos. Since everyone has different types of hair, it is important you pay attention to what is and what is not working for you. Apply the information you learned here, and incorporate that into your own hair care regimen.
