We spend a lot of time and money on our hair. In the age of blowouts, extreme hair color changes, and perms, the real question is, “How badly damaged is my hair?” Hair, like nails, is an extension of your epidermis, the outer layer of your skin, and made of protein. Hair cells will stay with you for three to five years until it falls or grows out and is replaced by new hair. Each strand is with you for a long time, so it deserves to be taken care of. Here are some hair care tips to help you keep your hair shiny, healthy, and beautiful.
Wash Less Often
When hair is wet, the water makes it swell from the inside. This forces the cuticle up. The result of this over time is frizz and breakage. This is why it is important to not wash your hair more than you have to. For those skip days, dry shampoo is your friend. Dry shampoo will help remove grease and sweat from your hair rather than coating it with powder. It is a great alternative for those days when you don’t want to wash your hair, but need to conceal excess oil.
Inspect Your Shampoo.
In the past few years, the main enemy of shampoo is sulfates. Sulfates are the reason your shampoo lathers the way it does. They clean your scalp and hair, removing dirt from it. All shampoos have detergents that can strip oil and color from our hair. If you notice your hair drying up over time, then try switching your shampoo for one that is sulfate free. Product build-up can also leave your strands feeling dry and stressed. For fans of hair spray, silicone serums, or mousse, try using a clarifying shampoo once a month. Additionally, when shampooing, apply it to the scalp only. The shampoo will rinse down your hair in the shower.
Invest in Conditioner
What conditioner you use and how you use it is very important to the health of your hair. We all know that conditioner smooths frizz and makes your hair softer and shinier. Conditioners are formulated to seal in the moisture content in the hair shaft and thus are not meant for the scalp. When conditioning your hair, start two inches away from your scalp. Too much conditioner near your scalp will make your scalp excessively oily. Invest in a few good quality conditioners and leave-in treatments, especially if you have colored hair or thick, curly hair. In the end, your hair will thank you.
Heat Protectant The Right Way
Heat is the worst thing for your hair. This is why we use heat-protectant. This product adds moisture to your hair while forming a protective barrier that reduces moisture loss when heat is applied to your hair shafts. However, heat protectants are useless if they are not applied all over. If you are applying heat protectant, apply it the right way. Grab small sections of damp hair and mist each one up and down the length. When finished, comb your hair to distribute the formula. Look for one that protects hair up to 450 degrees as well.
Dry Creatively
When thinking about drying your hair, get creative. The best thing you can do for your hair is to let it air dry. If you let it air-dry overnight, you not only minimize damage, but you also free up time in the morning for an extra snooze or another cup of coffee. Another way to dry creatively is to use a t-shirt. When getting out of the shower, towel-dry your hair with a t-shirt. Drying your hair with a towel can absorb too much moisture and rough up the cuticles, causing extra frizz.
