Daily Hair Care
Written by Oluwatomi Rowland Monday, 15 August 2011 22:53
You may not spend much time thinking about it, but your daily hair care routine can make a real impact on your appearance. Washing your hair too often or not often or not too often enough, using the wrong hair products, even how you brush your hair can either enhance its luster or cause dryness and damage.
Daily hair care also includes caring for your scalp because that's where hair develops. The hair below the surface of your skin is the part that's alive; you need to nourish these roots in order for the hair shaft the part of the hair that's exposed to appear healthy and lustrous. Choosing moisturizing hair care products and minimizing blow drying and chemical treatments to your hair keeps your scalp and your hair looking its best.
Why Wash?
Washing your hair is the most critical element of daily hair care says Dr. Jessica of Everyday Health. Throughout the day, hair collects dirt and prime from everything you are exposed to pollution; cigarette, smoke, dust, etc. even if you stayed inside all day; you would still have buildup of dead skin cells from your scalp which can cause infection if not washed away on a regular basis. Regular shampooing is essential for removing this buildup from your hair and scalp and keeping it clean.
Do I need conditioner?
Yes, conditioner is a key hair product necessary for moisturizing and maintaining soft, healthy hair. Women with oily hair may find thick, creamy conditions to be too heavy for their hair; a light, clear conditioner is better for their daily hair core. Those with dry hair should opt for the creamy conditioners, leaving them on the scalp for several minutes each time to ensure the moisturizing ingredients penetrate the hair. In addition, women with dry hair should apply a deep conditioning hair product to their hair once a week to promote both softness and shine.
Here's how to make the best of your hair treatment
Hair Masks: Whenever your hair needs a smoothing boost, try a hair mask. Masks can give your hair a shot of moisture and conditioner making it shinier and more manageable. These treatments are great for counteracting the damaging effects of coloring, perming and relaxing the hair. You can use a hair mask once a week, although for many people once a month is enough. Make your own mask with kitchen staples like eggs, bananas, honey, milk, olive oil and avocado, or pick up a hair mask at a beauty store.
Hot-oil treatments: Take your hair from dull and frizzy to shiny and healthy with a weekly hot-oil treatment. These are especially good for dry hair or hair that's damaged, color treated, or subject to excessive heat styling. You can pick up a hot-oil treatment at a beauty store or mix up your own at home with olive and canola oil or visit a salon for professional service.
Tips
Be gentle when shampooing and conditioning your hair (Hair is most fragile when wet). Don't scrub, force a comb through tangles, or vigorously massage your scalp.
Brushing wet hair can cause your hair to break, so avoid brushing or combing when hair is wet vulnerable. Instead, gently run your fingers through your wet hair to detangle, and then brush hair when it is almost completely dry. Never pull on your hair while drying, as this can cause damage, breakage and split ends.
Be thoughtful about hair styling products choose the right ones and avoid using more than necessary. Never put hair styling products directly on your scalp: instead work them through your hair with your hands.
Trim your hair very six to eight weeks to remove split ends and excess hair weight that can make hair oily, frizzy or dry.
Your lifestyle shows in your hair. Excessive stress, lack of sleep, smoking and poor eating and exercising habit take a toll on your hair.
Eat a nutritious diet rich in vitamins and protein, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, get enough rest, avoid cigarettes, and your hair will boats its health.
| ||||||
More articles by this author
