Most people agree that one’s hair plays a major role in the way we look and feel. We all strive to have a lustrous, healthy head of hair, but for some, it tends to just look dull and flat. Incorporate the following tips and techniques into your hair care routine for healthy, beautiful hair.
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.
Distribute your hair’s natural oils throughout all of your hair. To do this, begin by bending over and brushing your hair. Start at the scalp and brush down towards the end of your hair. Once your hair is brushed all the way through, massage your scalp with your fingers.
If you are finding yourself dealing with frizz and uncontrollable curly hair, consider trying the no-poo or lo-poo method. This hair care method involves using only conditioner to wash your hair on a regular basis. Curly hair needs oils to maintain its shape and style, so shampoos which strip the oil away can cause every day to be a bad hair day. Switch to using conditioner on a regular basis and shampooing only once a week.
When choosing your hair products, look for products with no alcohol. Applying alcohol on your hair will make it very dry and fragile. If you still want to use products containing alcohol, avoid using these products on a daily basis and wash your hair thoroughly afterward, so that the product is rinsed out.
Eat a balanced diet, and make sure you get plenty of exercise. Living a healthy lifestyle has everything to do with the health of your hair. Smoking, not getting enough sleep, and other unhealthy habits are detrimental to the health of your hair. Take good care of yourself, and your hair will follow suit.
Many people believe that a new shampoo switch makes their hair look more healthy. Your hair doesn’t know the difference between any given product, nor does it build up a tolerance. If you have a shampoo that has worked for you over time, your hair does not build up a tolerance to it. If you use heavy waxes on your hair, a clarifying shampoo every few weeks can remove any built-up residue.
When selecting a brush, you should choose one that is made from natural animal hairs, as opposed to one made from synthetic materials. The bristles on the natural brushes will be more soft and flexible, so it will be less likely to cause any damage to your hair, if you use it regularly.
While friends may be an easy source for help with your hair care, make it a point to visit a professional, regularly. Though the intent of friends or acquaintances may be well-intentioned, mistakes can happen, and will often cost more to correct, than what a professional beautician would have cost you, in the first place.
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.
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.
If you can, avoid using the blow dryer to dry your hair. The best way to dry your hair is to allow it to air dry naturally. If you must use your blow dryer, be sure to only use it on its coolest setting possible. Do not keep it in the same area of hair for more than a few seconds. Keep it moving as much as possible.
Don’t use salt spray on your hair. While salt spray is great for creating beach waves and minimizing grease on your hair, it is also very damaging to your hair. After all, salt is a drying agent, so it will take all of the moisture out of your hair and leave it dry and brittle.
Make sure you don’t select a shampoo that will leach all the essential oils from your hair. A shampoo that strips the hair of all oil can actually have a negative effect. Use the gentlest shampoo you can! There are even those who use just conditioner on their hair a couple of times per week.
To keep your hair from drying out, don’t forget about protecting it from the sun, just like you would with your skin. Just like skin, hair is susceptible to sun damage, so be sure and pick up a reliable product that will provide your hair with protection. In a pinch, use the sunscreen lotion you have for your skin, because it’ll keep your hair safe, as well.
When drying your hair with a hair dryer, you should set it on the coolest setting. Hot air can severely damage your hair, so you do not want to keep the blow dryer blowing on one spot in your hair. Make sure you begin the drying process by patting your hair down first.
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.
As this article demonstrates, it is quite easy to achieve the shining tresses that you desire. When you utilize these handy hints, your hair can be a healthy, crowning glory in next to no time. It is simply a matter of perseverance and dedication to achieve the hair you have always wanted.
