Hair straighteners, curlers, dry air, cold days, central heating, and even our pillowcases can cause our hair to become dry and damaged. For a short while, it can usually be handled with some caring ingredients, but eventually, the damage piles up, and you’re going to need to do a bit of scalp and hair reset.
Hair Brush
Do you get the frizz every time you brush your hair? You might be using a brush that doesn’t work with your hair type, or your brush could be too old, covered in oils and dirt, and it is getting transferred to your hair all the time.
When your hairbrush is dirty, it could be slicking your hair down and causing it to look greasy and flat. When it comes to flat hair, there are a lot of options for fixing that problem: Flat Hair: Why It Happens And 22 Expert Tips That Will Add Volume.
The wrong brush can be a dangerous thing because it can cause split ends and the static that causes hair to be frizzy. And for those who brush their while it is wet, you could be doing more damage. A wide-tooth comb is generally better for smoothing conditioner through your hair, but that depends on your hair type.
Or there are specific detangling brushes that can be used to help with big knots. It can be a good idea if you have a hairdresser or people around you with similar hair to what type of hair brush they use.
Food
What we eat has a big impact on our health in general, and while it might not be an instant change, your diet will have a long-term impact on your hair. Take a look at what you regularly eat, and see if there are any hair-loving foods in there. Vegetables have the biggest impact; things like carrots and avocados are great options. Citrus fruits, nuts, and whole grains can also have a significant impact. Each of the foods mentioned has some vitamins and minerals that offer your hair the support it needs to grow well.
And, as an extra boost, you can add some food directly to your hair. There are several types of hair masks that can be made with fresh ingredients that will infuse your hair with moisture.
One of the most enriching hair masks that you can make at home has coconut oils, honey, eggs, and even bananas. Some of the best hair masks on the market will have some natural ingredients. Often including rice or rice extract and oats – both known for their high levels of moisturization.
Trim
Depending on how damaged your hair is, you might be going for a trim, or you might end up needing the big chop. And while the big chop can sound scary, it is an ideal way to have your haircut to the point where it is healthy. Trims will take away split ends and leftover dye and might remove some of the damage. But for those who have been using a lot of hair dye, heated hair tools, or a lot of other harsh chemical products, then a big chop might be better for you.
For those who have a hair stylist in mind, it can be a good idea to go for a session before getting the chop so you can talk through all of the different options you have and you can get used to the idea of what might be a radical change before it happens.
Deep Conditioning
One hair mask is not going to solve the whole problem, and there are so many on the market with different ingredients it can be hit and miss. For example, you might select a hair mask that is protein-rich, only to find that your hair feels worse than before! There are a couple of tests you can do to see what your hair really needs, but once you work it out, invest in high-quality hair masks that have the right ingredients.
Get the most from your hair mask by making sure that you follow the instructions. Many of us make the mistake of slathering a thick layer on when we might only be meant to apply a small amount. Other times, we use the wrong conditioning treatment in the wrong way. Deep conditioning masks aren’t usually designed to be left on for too long. And leave-in conditioners aren’t designed to be used as a hair mask.
Applying the mask to wet, warm hair is usually the first step. But to supercharge how much impact it has, putting on a plastic shower cap can help your hair absorb more of that much-needed moisture. You can double down on that and wrap a heated towel around the shower cap, too.
If a mask is not going to do the trick, a deep-conditioning hair oil that can be left on for a few hours can leave your hair looking gorgeous and feeling healthy.
Water
You can only solve so many hair problems by applying hydration to the hair directly. Sometimes, what you really need to do is take a look at how much water you are drinking. Water is one of the most important things when it comes to hair health, and again – just like food, it will take a while before this one begins to make an impact.
Think of it this way: The hair you have already grown is the damaged part, and now you can focus on the hair you have yet to grow. Make sure you have at least eight glasses of water, fruit smoothies, or other juices, which will all help towards the overall goal.
Heat Tools
As fast and effective as heated hair tools can be, they cause a lot of problems to your hair. If you want to continue to use heated tools, then you need to make sure that you are using the right amount of heat protection and be sure to have a heat repair mask at least once a week.
But for those who are ready to commit to the cause of having healthy hair, it is time to switch to heat-free tools. There are so many tools on the market that can give you heat-free curls and waves – but for those who need a solution for having super-straight hair, it can be a little more difficult.
Blow dry your hair using only cold or very cool air; make sure that you have the right brush to reduce static and frizz. You can also try a technique called wet-setting, and while it does take a while to do, the results are smooth, straight hair without a lot of fuss and zero heat.
Don’t Dye
This one can be tough, but home dying your hair does cause a lot of damage. Not to mention that most people are putting different types of dye on top of each other. When you go to a hairstylist, it is vital that you tell them what you have done to your hair. If they don’t know your hair history, they can’t help.
Sun Protection
Do you think your skin is the only thing that needs protection from the sun? Think again! For many people, they rarely – if ever – think about the damage that the sun does to their hair. Have you ever touched the top of your head on a warm Sunday day? I bet it’s much hotter than you thought?
The sun does a lot of damage to hair that isn’t covered with a scarf or a hat. There is a range of products that offer both moisture and sun protection for your hair. Some are heavier and more oily, while others are a light-weight spray mist. Spending time in the sun, at the beach, or swimming? Apply an ultra-rich hair mask that day.
Going swimming in the sea or in a chlorine pool? It is a really good idea to use a swim cap. The salt and the chlorine can leave residue on your hair and dry it out significantly.
Wash Less Often
Your hair doesn’t need to be washed as often as you might think. There are natural oils on our scalp help to protect our hair and scalp. And when we use shampoo every day, those oils are washed away. The natural oils that our scalp produces are good for your hair. Oils help to keep it shiny, strong, smooth, and healthy. And although there are some great products on the market, they aren’t a replacement for what we naturally create.
To all those who are dying, spray, styling, and short-term coloring. Or doing things like Comicon or general cosplay. These tips will stop your hair bearing the brunt of your creativity. Here are a couple more tips to help: Cosplay Guide for Newbs! – Nerdy Curious.
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