How To Care For Your Hair Like A Pro
Hair care is tough to get right. And the reason for this is quite interesting. Once follicles pump up new strands, they lose contact with the rest of the body. They don’t get any new supplies of nutrients or materials, so they’re on their own from that point onwards.
That would be okay if we lived in a pristine natural environment. Hair would just take care of itself.
However, we don’t. We have to deal with pollution, blow dryers, harsh chemicals, and irons. And these factors can leave hair lifeless and limp as it moves further from the follicular source.
Contrary to popular opinion, hair care is significantly more complex than many people realize. A lot goes into it. Therefore, we’ve prepared this guide. It includes everything you need to know about looking after your hair and ensuring that it’s strong and vibrant for years to come.
Add “Dry Oils”
Many people add serums and sprays to their hair to make it look shiny and lustrous. They want it to look like the models in the ads.
But, unfortunately, they choose the wrong products. Regular oils don’t really work that well and often just make the hair look greasy. They do offer some protection, which is nice, but they don’t give you the look you want.
That’s why professionals are moving their clients over to “dry oils.” These are made of light silicones and oils that sit comfortably on the surface. They tend to produce more believable shines compared to other product types.
Start from the cuticle and then work your way to the tip of the hair. Once you have the right shine, you have all of the hallmarks of strong, healthy hair.
Go For Weekly Scalp Treatments
You want hair to emerge from follicles in the best condition possible. That’s why it’s a great idea to go for weekly scalp treatments. These make a tremendous difference in how your hair appears in the long term by improving nutrition and quality.
Scalp treatments target all of the tissue under the skin. The more you can nourish this, the healthier your hair will be. Note, though, that scalp treatments won’t affect hair that’s already grown. You’ll need to wait for this to grow out first before you see a difference in hair quality. The whole process can take many months, depending on the condition of your hair right now.
When you use a treatment, go for salicylic acid. This acid is one of the best for sensitive skin and is also highly effective. It helps to renew the scalp and make hair follicles behave more youthfully.
Put Damp Hair In Loose Braids At Night
If you’re someone who struggles with frizz, you can also try this trick of putting your hair in damp loose braids at night after you wash it. It sounds weird, and it is. But it works. In the morning, your hair should look smoother and you’ll have fewer flyaways.
Just make sure that you cover your pillow with something waterproof. You don’t want it getting moldy. Alternatively, wrap your hair around your head and then wear a cap to keep it contained.
Use Your Dryer’s Cold Button
If your hair feels hot to the touch after straightening or drying, it’s at a much higher risk of damage. Once it’s dry, you should try to cool it down straight away.
If it’s a cold winter’s day, you can go outside and ruffle it to release the heat. Or, alternatively, just use the cold button on your dryer. Blast the heat out of it to retain its structure and oils.
Blot Your Hair With A Towel
The less you can expose your hair to heat, the better. Therefore, blot your hair with a towel while you dry it to speed up the process and reduce exposure time. You don’t want to put your hair under the dryer while it’s still soaking wet. That’ll give more time for moisture on the surface to heat up and transmit energy into the hair strand
Don’t rub your hair dry with a towel, either. That could cause more damage. Physical action like that can damage the structure of the hair, making it more prone to heat damage. Be gentle with it and watch the results.
Use Old T-shirts To Wrap Your Hair
Wrapping your hair in a regular towel seems like the obvious thing to do. But, unfortunately, there are problems with this approach. The material tends to be quite rough (so it can absorb more water), which can be abrasive on the hair.
Therefore, always dry your hair with softer material, like cotton. Most t-shirts fit the bill perfectly because manufacturers design them to be worn close to the skin. They feel supremely comfortable wrapped around your hair and they should leave it smoother-looking.
Choose The Correct Products For Your Hair Type
Don’t just rush into the store and pick the first (or cheapest) hair care products you see on the shelf. That’ll end in disappointment. Instead, choose shampoos and conditioners that are suitable for your hair type.
If you have greasy hair, for instance, you’ll want a lighter conditioner. This way, you can prevent your hair from getting an overly shiny appearance.
Likewise, get shampoos and conditioners for balayage hair color. That’s because they help to maintain the style. You don’t want products designed for anything else.
Add Heat Protectors To Your Comb
Heat is probably the worst thing for your hair, so preventing damage is essential. Therefore, always choose products that transfer energy away from hair strands.
Most people apply heat-protectant mists to the outer layer of their hair. However, it won’t work unless you apply it throughout the body of the hair, too. That’s because heat affects hair at the top and underneath.
To do this, spray the spritz onto a comb and run it through your hair several times. Keep doing this until you’re confident that you have full coverage. You may need to use more product than you usually would to get the effects that you want.
Coat Your Hair With Conditioner
Using more conditioner is also important when trying to control frizz and stop your locks from looking too dry. That’s because it prevents heat damage, just like heat protectants.
Unfortunately, not all conditioners are equally effective. Some work better than others.
The best conditioners are those that contain polyquaternium or methicone. These ingredients remain on the hair even as you wash the rest of the product out. Just leave them in for a few minutes to properly coat your hair and then rinse with cool water.
Leave Your Hair To Dry Naturally
Once you condition and moisturize your hair, you might want to consider letting it dry naturally. Avoiding any use of heat at all will make it appear healthier and maintain the barrier on the outside of hair strands. You’re far less likely to get dry hair or split ends when you do that.
Usually, that means washing your hair in the early evenings so that it has enough time to dry before you sleep. You can help it by turning on your dehumidifier and increasing the temperature in your home.
Don’t Worry About Sulfates
Many people worry about sulfates in shampoos but they don’t seem to be any different from regular cleansers. All shampoos contain detergents in them that remove both oil and color from hair.
If color fading is a concern for you, look for products that offer “damage repair” formulations. These contain ingredients that strengthen the hair, improving color fastness and the oil coating on the surface.
Alternate Cleansing Conditioners With Shampoo
If you use mousse or hair sprays in your hair, you’ll need to alternate cleansing conditioners with shampoos. That’s because conditions can’t remove the silicone and other chemicals that these products contain. Only shampoo can do that.
If you use mousses, you’ll notice that shampoo leaves your hair feeling lighter and dryer afterward than cleansing conditioners. Again, it’s because of the detergents they contain. They’re much more effective.
Use A Pre-Shampoo
Everyone in the haircare industry knows that shampoos are quite harsh on the hair. They have to be to wash it properly.
That’s why we’re seeing an increase in the use of pre-shampoos. These are dry treatments that you apply before you get in the shower that protect the cuticle and the base of the strand. They also offer modest friction protection when you lather your hair. They prevent frizz from developing because of all the friction.
Don’t Wet Your Hair So Much
Lastly, avoid the temptation to get your hair wet every day. It’s not good for it.
The reason for this is simple: water causes hair to swell from the inside. In turn, this forces the cuticle up, leading to more frizz and breakage.
Therefore, avoid washing your hair more than is strictly necessary. Most people don’t need to wash their hair every day. Alternatively, you can use dry shampoo which simply rubs in and then flakes out.
