Proper hair care is essential for bouncy, shiny, voluminous, and healthy hair. Well, you do not need to break the bank to keep your hair in good shape. You need to look out for sudden changes in your hair and know your hair type to determine which products to use. You can say goodbye to bad hair days with these easy tweaks and good habits:
Rinse with cold water
Washing your hair with hot water is bound to strip sebum and other natural oils from your hair. Wash your hair with lukewarm water and rinse it with cold water to give it that extra shine. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out all the product from your hair to avoid getting buildup.
Moisturize your hair properly
Moisturizing with essential oils such as olive oil, castor oil, coconut, and almond oil boosts shine, repairs split ends and favors hair growth. Massaging your scalp during this process increases blood circulation to your hair follicles.
Use natural shampoos
Ensure you purchase natural, chemical-free shampoos for stronger and healthier hair. Opt for gentle shampoos that are suitable for your hair type and guarantee maximum hair rejuvenation. Concentrate the shampoo into your scalp because this region produces lots of oils and sheds skins cells regularly.
Trim your hair properly
You might want to hold on to those dead ends and keep your hair long, but you are better off getting a trim. If you do not trim split ends yourself, have a professional give you a haircut.
Avoid heat styling
Using excessive heat can be damaging to your hair strands in the long run. In addition, to air-drying your hair, you could use a curl-enhancing mousse to make your natural curls pop without having to whip out your curling iron.
Use heat protectant spray
If you must use heat to style your hair, make sure you spritz on a heat protectant spray before applying heat. Ensure that your appliances are set to low or medium heat settings to reduce the damage to your hair. Don’t forget to lock in your new hairstyle with hairspray to tame the frizz.
Avoid curling wet hair
Using a curling iron on wet hair is the equivalent of dripping water on an extremely hot pan. The sizzling sound your hair will make is enough to send chills down your spine. Always ensure you dry your hair before attempting to use a curling wand or flat iron if you want your hair to remain healthy.
Use conditioner on the ends of your hair
Contrary to popular belief, it would be best if you did not use conditioner on your scalp. Rather, concentrate the product on your ends and massage it in. Ensure you opt for a conditioner that contains protein. Once in a while, it is advisable for you to deep condition your hair.
Opt for dry shampoo
Washing your hair too often will strip it of the much-needed natural oils produced by your scalp. Your dry shampoo should contain ingredients that will leave behind residue and cause unsightly buildup in your hair.
Use wide-spaced combs
Never use a brush on wet hair. Instead, use a wide-toothed comb to detangle both wet and dry hair to reduce hair loss.
Wrap your hijab loosely
It would be best to lay your hijab loosely to reduce tension and reduce the number of hair strands you lose.
Go easy on ponytails
While ponytails are a convenient way of styling your hair, you should wear your hair down at night to give your hair a break. Ponytails that are too tight will cause tension to the roots, and over time, they might cause your hair to break off. Use soft hair ties in place of elastic bands that tend to lead to breakage of hair strands.
Use an old T-shirt to dry your hair
Drying your hair with a towel will lead to the formation of tangles and lead to the breakage of hair strands. Wring out excess water and plop your hair in an old T-shirt, which is much gentler than a towel.
Sleep on a silk pillowcase
Cotton pillowcases create friction leading to loss of hair strands and absorb the natural oils produced by your scalp. Satin is a great alternative to silk material. In place of a silk pillowcase, you could wear a silk hair wrap to prevent frizz and split ends.
Drink water and eat healthily
Your diet has a huge impact on the health of your hair. Consume foods and snacks high in protein, such as salmon and nuts, to promote a healthy scalp. Don’t forget to eat your leafy vegetables and fruits. Drinking lots of water is not only good for your skin but also good for ensuring your hair is supple and luscious.
Brush your hair less often
Even though we lose about 100 hair strands a day, brushing your hair often will lead to even more hair loss. Go easy on the hairbrush, or try using your fingers to detangle your hair.
Use a pick on curly hair
Curly hair is prone to breakage, especially when brushes are involved. Instead, use a pick to detangle curly hair to avoid losing your natural curl pattern.
Avoid frequent color changes
Bleaching is a difficult process that involves breaking down the protein in your hair, leaving it dry and brittle, not to mention the burning sensation on your scalp. Please limit the number of times you lighten or change your hair color for it to remain healthy.
Wear a swimming cap
Avoid leaving your hair open when going for a swim to avoid chlorine damage. If you don’t have a swimming cap, rinse your hair before swimming or use a product that will balance the pH of your hair.
Final Remarks
Generally speaking, poor hair care leads to issues like dandruff, dryness, and the likes. Using products that don’t suit your hair type may result in itchiness of the scalp and hair loss. You must take good care of your hair at all costs to grow and maintain its shine. If you notice your hair is thinning or falling out despite taking good care of it, ensure you seek medical advice.