Leave the Trimming to the Professionals
One thing that people with great looking hair have in common is that they practice healthy hair habits. Having healthy hair takes commitment and it can take time to get it looking its best. But it’s definitely worth the time and effort.
Here are some healthy hair habits you can put into practice today:
Trim It Up
Both men and women need to trim their hair regularly. Just by snipping off the frayed ends, you can instantly freshen up your hairstyle. There’s nothing worse than those pesky split ends to kill your look. When your hair grows longer, the cuticle (outer layer) tends to weaken and can break. This leaves the middle layers of your hair strand vulnerable and unprotected. When the hair splits at these weak points, they can travel up. A quick trim will help maintain the shape of your hair and give it a bit more movement.
Top Tip: Leave the trimming to the professionals. There’s an art to it if you want the best results.
Shampooing Daily May Not Be Necessary
If you have really thick and curly hair, you don’t need to shampoo as often as someone who has fine hair. You can wait a few days between shampooing. And those with fine hair, or those who are more prone to oily hair conditions, may need to wash every day, or every other day, to get rid of that greasy look. So, determine your hair type and shampoo as needed. Over-shampooing your hair can result in more bad hair days than good. When you do shampoo, it’s important to rinse your hair thoroughly. Any residue left behind can lead to an unwelcome hair do.
Top Tip: To benefit your hair between shampooing days, try using a dry shampoo. Spritz at your roots and comb through. This will help to absorb excess oil and instantly refresh your hair between washings.
Don’t Over-Color
If you color your hair, it’s important to not overdo it, as you may damage it. Be sure to wait at least four to six weeks between coloring sessions if you can. Of course, hair always looks amazing when its freshly colored, but overdoing it can have a counter effect. Your hair colorist will have your best interests at heart, and will be sure to take the gentlest approach with your hair coloring.
Top Tip: Talk to your colorist about styles or techniques that may require less frequent touch-ups. One of my favorite products is colored spray root touch-up. Match your shade and spritz away. It can help extend the time between colorings.
Avoid Anything Harsh
People with healthy hair tend to be very conscious of what they’re putting on their locks. They rarely use products containing harsh ingredients and look for shampoos, conditioners and styling aids that contain natural ingredients and are clinically tested. Moisturizing and softening ingredients like Aloe vera, olive and macadamia nut oils, and a strengthening ingredient like hydrolyzed wheat protein enzymes are great choices.
Tip: Look for sulfate-free products. Sulfates tend to be harsh on both the skin and hair and can actually damage your hair. They can leave it frizzy and dehydrated and compromise your hair color. When you choose sulfate-free, you’re taking a much gentler approach to your hair care regimen.
Stay Healthy on the Inside
Healthy hair starts on the inside. A balanced diet with adequate protein and plenty of water is essential to looking your best. Make sure your diet includes a sufficient quantity of vitamins C, D and E that deliver antioxidant benefits, as well as biotin.
Tip: Take a multivitamin every day.
Turn Down the Heat
Between the blow dryer, curling, flat irons and hot curlers, it’s hard to avoid damaging your hair with heat. If you can’t put down the heating devices altogether, then be sure to turn the temperature down. Use your dryer on low heat only. And lower the temperature on your other devices as well. It may take a bit longer to get the job done, but it’s worth it.
Tip: Try using a heat-resistant styling spray to help coat your hair strands and protect them from thermal damage. Many will leave your hair with a healthy-looking shine, too.
