Hair Care
Beauty . HealthJust like caring for your skin, your hair needs the same attention. Find products which work for you. I know, there atre so many products in the market and choosing the right one can be daunting. Firstly determine your type of hair.
Hair types tend to be fine, thick, or coarse and fall into one of four categories:
- straight
- wavy
- curly
- kinky
Each has its upsides and downsides. For example, straight hair usually looks and feels greasy quicker than curly hairTrusted Source due to oil speedily making its way down the hair shaft.
Whether your hair has been bleached, dyed, or otherwise chemically processed
If your hair has come in contact with dye, bleach, or chemicals, you may have to think extra hard about your routine. People with dyed hair are advised not to wash it every day to prevent premature color fadingTrusted Source and dryness. And bleached hair may require some extra nourishmentTrusted Source in the form of conditioner or hair masks.
How you want to wear your hair on a daily basis also determines how your hair will look and feel.
If you constantly tie up your hair or cover it all the time then there will be no circulation on the scalp and hair follicles. Also if you use damaging heat tools often then this too can cause dry, thin and brittle hair. Address your specific concerns which could be either frizzy hair or dandruff or damaged strands. A few basic steps for your hair would be:-
Cleanse – Cleansing is a balance between removing things like dead skin and product residueTrusted Sourcewithout stripping the hair of its natural oils.
Without a good wash, sebum will build up, leaving unwanted oiliness. Dead skin will not be removed causing flakiness and if you are an avid swimmer then chlorine and salt has more time to strip the strands of its natural elements and cause excessive damage.
Condition – Conditioners have many benefits. The main one is moisturizing, but others include detangling, shininess, and frizz reduction.
The main ingredient of a conditioner is called a cationic surfactant. This sticks to wet hair and coats each strand and helps replenish moisture which shampoo may have removed.
Moisturize and seal – To add further hydration to the hair, you may want to embark on a two-step process known as moisturize and seal.
This can be particularly useful for kinky or coily hair that tends to be dry. The aim is to seal in moisture, not to lock in dryness, using a hydrating product and sealing oil.
Detangle – Detangling is essential for stopping breakage.
Use the right tool such as a wide-tooth comb to avoid pulling out the hair.
Style and protect – Thanks to a number of tools and tricks like volumizers and gels, you can style your hair practically any way you want.
But if you’re a fan of heated tools, you’ll need to protect those strands with a heat protection spray.
Spot-treat – Spot-treating hair simply means picking out a particular area that’s bothering you and doing something to remedy it.
For example, you’re fed up with how frizzy your hair is, so you try a protein treatment, or your hair is dry and you may need a moisture treatment.
Cleansing and conditioning
- Clarifying shampoo. A deep-working shampoo, clarifying formulas work to remove buildup from the hair. Restrict use to around once a month, as they can remove natural oils.
- “Daily” shampoo. Used for regular washing, this shampoo may not need to be applied daily as the name suggests, but whenever your hair feels like it needs a good cleanse.
- “Daily” or rinse-out conditioner. The conditioner that you use the most is likely to be one that rinses out after a couple of minutes. It’s best applied to the middle and ends, as root application can result in a greasy-looking scalp.
- Leave-in conditioner. With this kind of conditioner, you apply it in the same way but don’t rinse it out. This allows for an increased level of nourishment.
- Deep conditioner. For even more hydration, try a deep conditioner. Great for hair that’s prone to dryness, these conditioners are designed to be left in for longer.
Moisturizing and sealing
- Hair lotion. Once hair is cleansed and conditioned, a cream-based lotion can offer further protection from breakage and dryness. It also provides a light, non-stiff hold.
- Oil. When it comes to oil, a little goes a long way. Enhancing your hair’s natural oils, it locks in moisture and strengthens strands.
Detangling
- Comb. Wet hair can break more easily when brushed, although this doesn’t apply to textured or tightly curled hair types. A wide-tooth comb can be a less damaging alternative.
- Brush. Different types of brushes exist. Some find bristles to be too hard on their hair, so opt for a plastic version. Try not to brush your hair too much. Once a day is usually sufficient.
- Spray. If you find tears welling up when brushing or combing, apply a detangling spray beforehand.
- Serum. A richer way of managing those knots, a detangling serum can further condition hair and make it softer so combs seamlessly work their way through.
Styling and protecting
- Mousse. It sounds super retro, but modern mousse adds texture and volume to hair and can even enhance curls. What’s more, it doesn’t leave behind a sticky or clumpy feel.
- Wax. A thicker product, hair wax provides more of a hold while increasing shininess. Plus, it shouldn’t leave strands feeling stiff.
- Pomade. For a long-lasting, super shiny look, opt for pomade. This styling product should be used on damp hair, as it doesn’t dry, leaving you with a sleek finishing touch.
- Gel. Styling gel can give hair anything from a light hold to a super strong one, depending on the product you use. All gels, however, provide a noticeable texture and shine.
- Dry shampoo. If your hair gets greasy pretty quickly but you don’t want to wash it every day, a little dry shampoo can get rid of unwanted oil. But it does tend to build up on the scalp, so try not to use too much.
- Volumizer. Hair looking limp? Volumizers lift hair away from the head to make your do look thicker while still feeling lightweight.
- Texturizer. This category can encompass everything from salt sprays to curl definers, and is designed to add texture to the hair and preserve styles.
- Shine serum or spray. These products sit on the surface of the hair, resulting in that smooth, glossy look. Apply from the ends up to the middle.
- Hair spray. Today’s hair sprays come in various holding strengths and can even target concerns like frizz. Unlike years gone by, they don’t leave hair super stiff.
- Heat protection spray. Whether you’re using a hair dryer, straightener, or curling iron, you need to protect those strands. These sprays create a barrier to prevent exposure to extreme heat.
Treatments
- Scalp treatment. An exfoliating scalp treatment can unclog follicles, stimulate circulation for growth, and calm issues like itchiness. Use once or twice a month.
- Protein treatment. Frizzy or broken hair may need an extra dose of protein. These monthly treatments fill in gaps in the cuticle, strengthening and smoothing strands.
- Targeted mask. Often infused with nourishing ingredients, hair masks tend to be left on for several minutes to deeply replenish hair and remedy dryness, split ends, or frizz.
Whatever your type of hair, make sure that you use the correct products. Remember too much product is also not good for your hair. Seek professional from a hair clinic for concerns about your hair such as dandruff or alopecia.
Listnen to my show on KCFM107.7 every Wednesday at 12.40pm where we will discuss BEAUTY, HEALTH and LIFESTYLE. Till next time XOXO
