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.
When shampooing your hair, make sure that your hair is completely wet before applying a quarter-sized amount. This minimizes breakage due to tugging and tangling, and it helps the shampoo to effectively cleanse each strand. Do not lather for more than 30 seconds, and rinse with a blast of cool water to seal in moisture.
If you color your hair at home, do not apply hair color to previously colored strands until the last 10 minutes. Apply the color to your roots first, and then comb through to freshen-up the color on the rest of your hair. This minimizes the damage that repeatedly soaking your hair in harsh chemicals can cause.
When you are getting ready to wash your hair with shampoo, make sure that you rinse it out thoroughly before you apply the shampoo. This will remove any residue, such as dirt and dust that your hair may have accumulated. You will get more cleansing power from your shampoo by doing this.
Use a hair serum to turn frizzy hair into hair that shines. There are many serums that have been specifically designed for whatever type of hair you may have. These serums can give your hair the sleekness and body that you are looking for. Check out your local drugstore or salong to see what they have in stock.
If you happen to suffer from a flaky scalp, try using this treatment bi-weekly: Start sectioning your hair and do a gentle rubbing on your scalp using a rubbing alcohol-saturated cotton pad. Once the alcohol dries, start brushing your hair. Finish with a thorough rinse using warm water, and be sure not to shampoo.
When you finish bathing, skip the blow dryer. Air drying your hair encourages volume and discourages frizz. If you must use a blow dryer, consider using it on the cool setting to encourage the sheath of your hair strands to lay down. This encourages the illusion of shine and is better for your hair than heat.
Avoid shampooing your hair until two days after you get it dyed. When your hair has had color applied, the cuticle requires time to reseal otherwise the color will quickly fade. You should also remember wetting your hair within the first 48 hours re-opens the cuticle; therefore, it is important that your hair remain completely dry for at least two days. Being patient will pay dividends later.
Do not get accustomed to always using the same brand of shampoo or conditioner. One brand might have something new and different to offer your hair. The new brand may undo the buildup from the other brand and keep your hair and scalp looking good.
Many people believe that trimming your hair on a regular basis will cause the hair to grow faster, but that is not necessarily true. The main reason that you should keep your hair trimmed is to prevent yourself from developing split ends, which look very unsightly and can cause further hair damage.
If you enjoy swimming in pools during the spring and summer, take time to protect your hair before hitting the water. Either soak your hair in regular water to discourage the absorption of chlorinated water, or wear a bathing cap to avoid drying out your delicate tresses. Your hair will thank you for it.
Before blow drying your hair, towel-dry it thoroughly. This will not only save you time when drying your hair, but it will also keep your hair in better shape. By using less heat on your hair, you will be avoiding extra damage by using too much heat used to get your hair dry.
If you insist upon blow drying your hair, you should do so with care. If you use a vented, wide-toothed brush and a low heat setting, you can minimize the damage you inflict on your tresses during styling. Ideally, you should keep the dryer about six inches from your head and moving at all times.
It’s best to avoid combing and brushing hair while it’s wet. Hair is weaker when it’s wet, increasing the chances of your hair follicles breaking off with each stroke of your comb or brush. Instead, wait for the hair to dry before beginning any grooming practices, such as these, that will put mild stress on the hair.
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.
