As everyone knows, our hair is considered our ‘crowning glory’. Many of us battle dull, lifeless hair, despite our dreams of shiny, bouncy tresses. You will find tips here for getting hair that is shiny and healthy in appearance.
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.
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.
A handy tip to leave you with hair that contains no knots is to comb the conditioner through your hair with a wide-toothed comb when you are applying your conditioning treatment. This will ensure the product is spread through the hair evenly, while removing any tangles you may have at the same time.
Avoid using heavy conditioners if your hair is fine or thin. They will just weight your hair down, making it look thinner. Lighter conditioners, delivered in a spray or mousse are the best to give your hair good volume without weighing it down or causing a limp, greasy look.
While you should wash your hair often, don’t overdo it. Washing your hair too often, strips it of its natural oils, which gives it shine and volume. For most people, washing their hair a few times a week is enough, unless their hair is especially oily. Washing too often will turn hair dry and brittle.
When choosing a brush to use on your hair, choose one with soft bristles, instead of hard ones. There are brushes available that are made of animal fibers or soft bristles that will be easier on your hair and not cause any type of damage to your beautiful hair!
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.
It is not true that if you pluck out one gray hair, several will grow in its place. It is true, however, that you could damage the hair’s root, cause an infection or leave scarring if you pluck out gray hairs. Additionally, as can be seen in over-plucked eyebrows, when you pluck out hair, it does not always grow back.
When you use hair conditioner, be sure to spread it onto all areas of your hair. Make sure that you don’t rinse out the conditioner before it has a chance to work; leave it in for several minutes at least.
To get the best shine possible to your hair, wash it with cool water. When you wash your hair with hot water, you are likely to dry out your hair in the process! Cool water, on the other hand, has the opposite effect – it can actually increase the shininess of your hair.
When you wash your hair, be sure to really clean your scalp. The shampoo that you use will remove the buildup of dead skin, oil, dirt and hair products that could be clogging your hair follicles. If your follicles begin to become clogged, you may start to suffer from hair loss or slowed growth.
To protect your hair from sun damage, it may be wise to wear a hat or other head covering if you know you are going to be the sun for an extended period of time. The sun causes your hair to dry out and damage, which is why it is crucial that you protect it.
Brushing and combing stimulates hair growth. Clogged pores are also broken up, making it easier for hair to grow. Every morning brush your hair 100 strokes to help stimulate your hair growth.
Wearing a swim cap when swimming may make you feel silly, but it is going to play a big role in how healthy your hair is. If you swim on a regular basis, you must be sure to wear the swim cap. The chlorine will damage your hair more than you could think.
Don’t use salt spray on your hair. While salt spray is great for creating beach waves and minimizing grease on your hair, it is also very damaging to your hair. After all, salt is a drying agent, so it will take all of the moisture out of your hair and leave it dry and brittle.
Always shampoo your hair with care, or you may just wash out your hair’s natural oils. A shampoo that strips the hair of all oil can actually have a negative effect. Try to use a very gentle shampoo instead if you can. You may even try skipping a shampoo once per week and wash your hair using only your conditioner.
A healthy diet will show in your hair. If you eat a diet high in fat and cholesterol, your hair may appear dull and lifeless. For healthier hair, a well-balanced diet is best. Eat food that is low in fat and cholesterol, and high in anti-oxidants, protein, vitamins and minerals.
The first two or three inches of hair growing from your scalp is only about six months old. It’s the most healthy part of your hair. You do not need as much conditioner on this part of your hair, but the lower sections can benefit. Hair ends tend to be much drier, with more damage, and can benefit from a good conditioner.
As has been shared with you today, getting the hair you really want is not that hard. If you are willing to follow these guidelines, you too can enjoy shiny, healthy hair. All you need is a little patience and these expert tips, and your hair will soon become your “crowning glory.”