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.
Are you aware that conditioner should never be applied to the roots of your hair? This is because it can make them too heavy and weigh them down, causing a flat look. Only add the conditioner to your hair from mid-length down to the bottom of its ends for best results.
It is not true that trimming your hair will make it grow. Human hair grows about one half-inch per month, regardless of how often you cut it. Hair growth has nothing to do with stylist’s trims. A simple trim will get rid of split ends, which does give your hair a much better look.
If you have hard water at home, avoid the use of highly lathering shampoos. Hard water makes it difficult to rinse soap well and the build-up of the shampoo in your hair can make your scalp itchy, dry and scaly. No- and low-lather shampoos are available, especially in areas where hard water is commonplace.
When your hair looks dull, it makes sense to utilize clarifying shampoos. Often, dull hair is the result of hair care products building up over time. To keep this from happening, apply a clarifying shampoo once or twice weekly. This will strip your hair of dirt or any other residue it might have accumulated.
When your hair is wet, it is in a state where the most damage can be caused to it. This is why you should avoid combing or brushing your hair when it is wet. You should dry your hair thoroughly and then, comb or brush it to smooth it down.
Avoid touching your hair and scalp throughout the day. Scratching your scalp or touching your hair is going to make it more oily. If you cannot stop playing with your hair, cut it short or style it high up on your head. Once you break this bad habit, your hair should look much better.
Sometimes, you may be allergic to something in the air, which can affect the quality of your hair. Take a ride to the doctor’s to see if there is something airborne that is affecting your health or physical characteristics. This can help to nip the problem in the bud, so that it doesn’t become a more serious issue.
Wet your hair before you jump in your pool. If you allow your hair to absorb fresh water before jumping in, it will not absorb as much of the damage causing chlorine. Your hair will not dry out as badly if you take this step each and every time you swim in chlorinated water.
Do not towel your hair off roughly after a shower. This can break your hair. Gently squeeze out excess moisture, instead. Then pat it dry with a towel. Also, use a softer towel.
Hair will always change as a part of the aging process. Your hair will almost certainly go gray, and might become more dry and/or brittle. It may take on a new texture entirely, changing from bone straight to wavy, or the other way around. Speak with your doctor if any changes in your hair concern you.
While hair spray can be a life saver, it’s not something that you should use too much of. Because it keeps your hair so stiff, it can be damaging. Overly stiff hair also looks very unnatural. Only use hair spray when you absolutely need to. You’ll find your hair looks and feels better.
While there are products available on the market that promise to repair split ends, there is nothing you can do that will really restore your hair back to its original state. You can apply some beeswax to it, in order to make it look better until it grows out, then the split ends should be cut off.
Never place hair products directly on the scalp. This can clog your pores on the head, causing pimples, or problems with the growth of your hair. Be careful to use these products solely on your hair to stay away from these issues.
Clean and wash your combs and brushes weekly. Dirty tools mean dirty hair. You will undo any good you have done by washing your hair, if you use a dirty comb immediately afterwards. Many people do not pay attention to their combs. Be wary of allowing your products to fall behind the sink or toilet.
Some people that are convinced that excessive shampooing is harmful to hair, have started using dry shampoo products. Such products present significant drawbacks, though. When the hair is not rinsed, residual traces of the shampoo will remain in the hair. This can weigh hair down and make it appear greasy. Dry shampoos should be avoided unless there is a very compelling reason to use them.
When shampooing, rinse hair prior to applying the shampoo to get any residue out, then begin applying shampoo onto the scalp. Start gently massaging using your fingertips, working your way out. To avoid dry hair, just lather up once. When you’re finished, thoroughly rinse out the shampoo. Shampoo residue can dry out hair or make it itchy.
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.