Taking good care of your hair will ensure you have a healthy, shiny, smooth head of hair that can manage just about any hairstyle and weather condition that you throw at it. Healthy hair is a huge sign of overall health and well being, and can give people a good indication of how much you look after yourself. What is going to feel and look better, a full, healthy head of hair or a broken, damaged head of hair that isn’t often given a second thought? You know the answer!
In this comprehensive guide to hair care, we’ll talk about a plethora of different ways you can make sure your hair is cared for and looking amazing. Read on for some tried and tested tips and ideas:
Know Your Hair Type Before Buying Products
Before you start buying different products for your hair, you need to be aware of your hair type. Your hair type will have everything to do with the kinds of products you buy, so if you don’t know it, keep your cash and get to know it first.
If you don’t know your hair type, you’re simply going by which products you think look good, and they could actually damage your hair or weigh it down in the long run, depending on your hair type.
Somebody with very curly, textured locks is going to need a very different haircare routine to somebody with fine hair. Have a look at the different hair types, pinpoint yours, and only then decide what you need to include in your routine. It should make a huge difference to how your hair feels and looks.
Wash Your Hair Less
Washing your hair all the time can strip it of the natural oils needed to keep it strong and healthy. If you’re the kind of person who tends to wash their hair every day, or even every other day, you should rethink your routine. Ideally, you should be washing your hair no more than three times per week. Some people even cut down to a few times per month, but this is usually after they’ve gotten comfortable with not washing it so much at all.
Washing and drying the hair too regularly really takes its toll. Make the most of those in between days when your hair is a little dirty by trying out various hairstyles - this is a great time to go for a messy top knot or even some fishtail braids.
You can also use dry shampoo, but you need to make sure you’re using it properly to get the most out of it. Most people just spray it into their roots, rub it a little, and go. However, the best thing you can do is blow dry it after, so that most of the product disappears, taking the grease and dirt with it. Just make sure you don’t start to rely on it, as it can clog up the pores in your head impeding hair growth and causing a number of other problems if you’re not careful.
Sleep On A Silk Pillowcase
Sleeping on a silk pillowcase is something absolutely everybody should do, no matter the hair type. You can also invest in silk hair turbans to keep your style in place. A silk pillowcase will be an investment, but it’ll stop your hair from moving around so roughly while you sleep. Your hair will feel silkier, smoother, look better, and hold a style for longer.
Use Heat As Little As Possible
Make it your goal to use heat as little as possible on your hair. Assess how often you currently use it and see how you can cut down. You should not be using a hairdryer on your hair when it’s still soaking wet, for example. Instead, you should wrap your hair in a towel and wait until it’s around 70% dry before using a hair dryer. Making sure you use the hair dryer properly is imperative too. Here are some pointers:
- Use the right brush for drying, focusing on the ends of your hair, making sure they are smooth. A good blow dry will last around three days and cut down on styling time substantially.
- Use cool air if possible.
- Direct the dryer down the hair shaft.
- Invest in a good hair dryer.
Make sure that you don’t use your heated appliances on the top heat setting either, like most do. Only certain hair types require that, so make sure you use the right temperature for your own individual hair type. Always use a heat protecting spray before, too. This will make all the difference to ensure that your hair stays in great condition.
Only Ever Go To Professional Salons For Treatments
Make sure that when you go for a professional treatment on your hair, that it’s a reputable and trustworthy salon. Look at reviews and testimonials online first, and make sure they are from real people. Don’t go to people without a qualification in taking care of hair for treatments. For example, so many people are offering hair extensions these days, but if you allow somebody without a qualification in hair to put them in for you, you run the risk of damaging your hair for a long time. There are a ton of different treatments available that could suit you, such as platelet-rich plasma for hair restoration, and other treatments that will need to be performed by a pro. Make sure you do extensive research before spending your money, and ensure you’re happy with the consultation beforehand too.
Get Regular Trims
Having regular trims won’t ‘make your hair grow faster’ as some people like to believe. It will, however, get rid of the dead ends that may be weighing your hair down and give it more movement, making it look far healthier. It’ll make it so much easier to style, too. Going for regular ‘micro trims’ once per month is the best way to do it.
Use A Quick Drying Towel
Rather than using a regular towel, invest in a quick drying towel. Wrapping your hair in this towel will cut down on styling and blow drying time and ensure your hair stays in great condition. Regular towels just won’t seem the same after you’ve used a quick drying towel on your hair.
Eat Foods For Healthy Hair
The foods you put in your mouth can play a huge part in how healthy your hair is. You’ll also have the added benefit of doing your body good too, and should notice many other benefits aside from healthy hair. So, which foods are best for healthy hair?
- Healthy fats, such as fish and avocado.
- Egg yolk.
- Nuts.
- Vegetables and fruit.
- Coconut oil (can be consumed and actually applied to the hair as a treatment).
Make healthy choices whenever you can. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, either. You can slap on as many hair care products as you like, but if you’re not living a healthy lifestyle, your hair won’t look the best that it can possibly look. Make sure you make slow but sure changes to your lifestyle to ensure healthy hair for the long term.
Invest In The Right Tools
Having the right tools for your hair will make a big difference, and if you choose wisely, they will last for years. Your hair brush can make all the difference, so look for high quality hair brushes and make sure you have the right kind for both styling and drying. They might seem costly, but when you consider that you’ll never have to replace them providing you look after them, they become obscenely cheap. Ask anybody who has purchased high quality hair care tools and they’ll tell you the same!
Use A Mask Once A Week
Use a mask on your hair once a week. Don’t wait until it’s feeling dry and in bad condition before slathering one on. Try to stop it from getting into that condition in the first place. Wrap your hair in a towel so that the heat can help the mask to penetrate the hair shaft. You could even sleep in it if your hair is in pretty bad condition to begin with.
Brush Your Hair Twice A Day
How often are you supposed to brush your hair - do you have any idea? Most people don’t. Experts recommend that brushing your hair twice per day for a couple of minutes will help to spread out the natural oils, keep it tangle free, and stop it from getting damaged. However, you need to make sure you’re brushing properly, too. Don’t brush from root to tip. Instead, brush gently starting from the ends of your hair and working your way up.
Start using these hair care tips and you should notice a huge difference in your hair. If you have any of your own tried and tested hair care tips, leave them in the comments below. Thanks for reading and come back soon!
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