Whether your hair is long or short, curly or straight, you need to know how to take care of it properly so it can look at its best. To take care of your hair, you really need information more than you need expensive products. Read on to learn the basics of hair care.
Go ahead and forget the old adage about brushing your hair 100 strokes a day. Over brushing can actually lead to hair loss, breakage of strands and increased oil production. Normal brushing of your hair once or twice daily is sufficient to keep it healthy and free of tangles and build-up.
For those with curly hair, nix SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) from your hair care routine, for bouncy, care-free curls. SLS is a harsh stripping agent that robs your hair of essential oils. This creates the illusion of frizz and encourages breakage. You can spot this substance by checking the ingredients of your products.
Make sure to clean out your brushes and combs, and wash them periodically. A good rule of thumb is to clean them with soap and water around once a week. This will minimize the amount of build up that you will incur on your hair follicles and you will have healthier hair.
Check the labels on your hair care products. Make sure the products are right for your hair type. Nearly all hair care products are labeled specifically for dry, medium or oily hair. Using the wrong product can dry out your hair or leave it looking greasy. The labels are there for a reason.
When drying your hair, make sure that you never pull and tug on your hair. Not only will this increase the amount of frizz you experience, it will stretch the strands of your hair, increasing breakage and split ends. Rather, pat your hair dry, squeeze extra moisture with your hands, or sweep the hair up into a towel. Unless you are using a very wide-toothed comb, wait to brush or comb until your hair is dry.
Don’t believe everything you hear. While it may be a popular belief that cutting hair will make it grow faster, that is false. However, keeping ends trimmed and free of split ends can make your hair appear longer and fuller. Split ends appear thin and are often difficult to see while healthy ends are thicker, and that volume helps to create the illusion of more length.
It is important that you use a good conditioner to make your hair stronger and get rid of tangles easily. Apply your conditioner after rinsing the shampoo out of your hair. Make sure that your hair is completely covered and wait a few minutes for the conditioner to soak your hair.
Be careful with the use of hair extensions. While hair extensions are a quick way to get longer hair, they can also cause serious damage to your natural hair and scalp. The heavy weight of the extensions can pull out natural hair, and the bonding solution can dry it out.
Figure out what type of hair you have. The amount of times you wash your hair each week depends on the type of hair you have. If your hair is oily, you may need to shampoo and condition it every single day. On the other hand, if your hair is dry, it is recommended that you wash it every other day, at most.
Hair care principles help you take care of your hair regardless of what type of hair you have. Now that you’ve read this article, you should understand what you need to do in order to keep your hair looking at its best. Good luck, and enjoy your new, healthier hair.
