Hair is important part of one’s looks for both men and women. No matter what your current hair routine is, there are undoubtedly some areas you can improve in to help your hair become more healthy and grow longer! The gift of strong, healthy and glowing hair may be a few new techniques away! The primary cause for hair growth issues may be coming from your lifestyle. I have compiled ten daily techniques for you to use while taking care of your hair to prevent hair loss and weak strands.
Use heat styling tools at the lowest effective setting.
Everyone knows heat is a big culprit in causing damage to your hair, but many women still use hot tools almost daily! Be mindful of how often you use tools and to minimize damage, use a hair heat protectant. Also, try to use the lowest effective heat setting possible for your flat iron and your curling iron. My hair will hold a loose curl all day long using a curling iron at only 280 and 320 degrees Fahrenheit. When curling your hair, let your hair cool before running your fingers through it. I try to wait at least two minutes after adding a curl to finger comb out the curl. Click here for more information on heat protectants for your hair.
Avoid using hot water.
Washing your hair with very hot water can be harmful. Extremely hot water removes all oil from the scalp, which is what the hair naturally produces to protect itself. Your last rinse should be done with cold water (as cold as you can handle), as this will make your hair shine more and be stronger. Cold water seals the hair cuticle giving your hair a unique strength that otherwise would have been stripped away if you rinsed with hot water.
Use the best products for your hair.
Maintaining your hair’s strength and length begins with your hair care routine. To keep your hair healthy and strong, be sure to look for sulfate and paraben free products with nurturing oils. Shampoo should focus on your scalp and conditioner should be for your hair. Make sure you are using a shampoo and conditioner that fits your hair type. A conditioner too heavy for thin hair could make it look flat and limp. I change which shampoo and conditioner I use depending on seasons and the needs of my hair. I use a more hydrating shampoo in the summer when my hair is exposed to more heat from being outside in the sun and use a deeper smoothing conditioner in the winter because of the dry air in my home and at work. Click here for information on which shampoo and conditioners I recommend for different hair types.
Make hair masques a ritual.
Applying a weekly hair masque to rehydrate and soften tired, over processed hair is a trick I’ve been using for years. Hair masks are full of nourishing ingredients that revive your hair from damage and harsh factors it gets exposed to. Hair masques might seem like regular conditioners however, they have higher concentration levels of nutrients that give your hair a bigger boost. Think of hair masques as a treatment like a high-powered conditioner. Like conditioners, hair masques nourish and strengthen your hair, but are more intense and powerful. With many types of hair masques, you can find one to target your specific hair concerns. After using my favorite hair masques, I find my hair softer, stronger and looking shinier. I believe they are worth the extra time in the shower. Click here to find out more about my favorite hair masques and see which one would be good for you.
Try a microfiber hair towel.
Cotton towels can damage the hair. If you must use a cotton towel, do not rub your hair when drying it. Instead of a towel, use a microfiber hair wrap to dry your hair. Microfiber towel-like wraps eliminate the need for rubbing your hair by quickly soaking up the water. When you use a bath towel to rub your wet hair, you can damage your strands and cuticles, which may also cause frizz and tangles. Even just wrapping your hair in a regular cotton towel can promote breakage and damage. My favorite microfiber hair towel is from Norwex. As microfiber for hair drying have gained popularity, I have seen them in beauty stores and in the hair section at department stores like Target.
Be careful while brushing your hair.
Damage can easily happen from rough hair brushing especially when trying to get tangles out of wet hair. Before hitting tangles with a hairbrush, use a sulfate and paraben free detangler. I use a kid’s detangler on my daughters and myself on both wet and dry hair. There are different hairbrushes for different types of hair. I suggest brushing with a wide-tooth comb for men and women with curly or wavy hair. If you have straight hair, I suggest a paddle brush. When your hair is wet, brush very carefully starting with the bottom and working your way to the top. I am a big fan of the Gimme Beauty Brush. Gimme Beauty offers detangling hairbrushes by hair type with different static free bristle lengths and flexibility options to meet your hair type.
Wet your hair before getting in the pool.
Swimming pools can damage hair, including turning it green! One of the best things you can do to protect your hair when swimming is to get your hair wet before you go into the pool. Imagine a sponge when it is bone dry. It can soak up a lot more water than if it was already dampened, so we are applying the same concept to your hair. To go a step further than just wetting your hair, add a leave-in conditioner to your hair before swimming as added protection. Click here for my summer hair protections tips.
Give your hair dryer a rest.
It’s best to naturally dry your hair as much as possible, as hair dryers are extremely drying and will cause the hair to break easily. If you do blow dry your hair, make sure to use a heat-protective cream or spray to protect your hair before starting the drying process. Make sure your hair has a good amount of water removed before starting. My microfiber hair towel removes a lot of water to help my hair dry quicker. Try to have your hair be 60% dry before turning on your hair dryer. Be careful not bring the hair dryer too close to your hair. I suggest keeping your hair six or more inches away from your hair dryer. Finish drying with cold air to close the cuticle of the hair, and this will make the tips more protected.
Use a silk/satin pillowcase.
Both silk and satin pillowcases offer similar benefits for hair. Cotton pillowcases generate friction, which can cause your hair to get tangled and even break easily. The silky-smooth fabric of either silk or satin pillowcases allows your hair to slide across the surface more easily as your flip and turn throughout the night. On top of helping with breakage, these pillowcases also help cut down on the frizz. Cotton absorbs moisture and will pull water out of your hair leaving your hair dehydrated looking lifeless and flat. You can purchase a silk or satin pillowcase from your local department stores or online at many retailers.
Take your vitamins.
Ninety-two percent of Americans suffer from at least one vitamin or mineral deficiency. A big sign of various vitamin deficiencies includes brittle hair and nails. You can typically find a hair, skin and nail vitamin that has high concentrations of biotin, fish oil and vitamins A, B and C anywhere vitamins are sold. These vitamins and minerals help the natural hair growth process. Being deficient with other vitamins and minerals can cause hair loss. Not having enough iron, zinc and vitamin D. can lead to hair loss or make your hair loss worse. Women with thyroid issues may also have the side effect of hair loss. Please see a doctor to get blood work done if you believe your hair problems may be caused from vitamin deficiencies for blood work.
Having healthy hair allows us to look our best and ensure our hair and scalp is healthy. It is important to utilize quality hair care products to ensure your hair is as healthy as possible. Chick here to read about my hair care products! The look of hair is important to many and has a significant impact on our self-esteem.