Long, gorgeous, healthy hair requires more care than short bobs because once hair is visible, it is no longer living. You have to take special precautions to prevent breakage and split ends, which give the hair a dry or fried appearance. Daily grooming activities, such as washing with harsh shampoos, brushing, blow-drying and backcombing, take their toll on your long locks. Other issues that can damage hair, according to Mayo Clinic, include poor nutrition, hormonal changes, medications and disease.
Diet
Protecting the hair starts with treating the roots and follicles to ensure a healthy beginning. The best way to do this is to eat a balanced diet high in calcium and protein. Foods that are good for the hair include yogurt, fish with omega-3 fatty acids, beans and legumes, nuts and plenty of water.
Washing
Before you wash your hair, remove tangles by brushing it gently. Use the mildest shampoo you can find that will clean your hair. Start with warm---not hot---water to dampen and rinse your hair. Gently massage the shampoo through your hair but don't scrub vigorously, or you'll create tangles and knots that are hard to get out. Make sure you get all the shampoo out by rinsing until the water is clear, because soap residue will make your hair look dull.
Conditioning
After washing your hair, use a conditioner that you rinse out and then one that you leave in. Conditioners help protect the hair follicles by coating them and creating a barrier from weather and other elements. Every four to six weeks, give yourself a conditioning treatment. If your hair is dry, use commercially prepared hot oil or heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil. Leave the oil in your hair for 20 to 30 minutes, then shampoo and condition as you normally would.
Combing and Brushing
Never brush wet hair because it will pull and stretch the hair to the breaking point. When your hair is wet, start at the bottom with a comb and work your way up to remove the tangles. Dry hair can be brushed, but don't overdo it. The more you brush your hair, the more likely it is to break.
Coloring
Chemicals will damage your hair over time. Before you color your hair, color a test lock from hair at the nape of your neck. After the first time you color your hair, do the roots only. You can protect the rest of your hair by slathering conditioner on the area you don't intend to color. Only add color to the rest of the hair for the last five to 10 minutes. The conditioner will prevent help protect the already colored hair from chemical damage.
Blow-Drying
Heat dries out your hair, so allow it to air-dry as much as possible. If you must blow-dry your hair, avoid high heat and don't dry it until it frizzes. Use curling irons and flatirons only occasionally because continued use will make the hair progressively more brittle.
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