Hair is made of a dead protein called keratin, so it cannot heal itself, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Styling, washing, drying and the daily wear and tear on your hair can make it feel dry, dull and prone to breakage, none of which can be healed when damaged past a certain point. Women especially can inflict a lot of abuse on their hair, but they want to keep it looking smooth, healthy and shiny. Combining proper hair-care practices with the proper products can ensure that your hair stays strong.
Cleansing
Washing your hair too often can strip it of its natural oils, leaving it either dry or too oily as your scalp produces more oil to compensate for the loss. This is because most shampoos contain the sodium lauryl sulfate, a chemical that gives you the bubbling action of a detergent. Unfortunately, it also is very drying, notes HairLossBuddy.com. Wash your hair every other day, or switch to an SLS-free shampoo, to keep your hair hydrated and healthy.
Conditioning
Conditioner is necessary, especially after using a shampoo containing SLS. It helps replenish the moisture lost through shampooing, and it can keep your hair hydrated for less static and fly-aways. But you don't need to use much conditioner to get your hair smooth. A nickel- to quarter-size amount is plenty. Apply it to the hair ends, and work up to the scalp until it is distributed evenly; this will help keep the ends smooth without leaving your roots greasy. Apply a deep-conditioning treatment once a week for more intensive conditioning. Mash an avocado with an egg and enough olive oil to make a paste, then apply it to dry hair for 30 minutes before rinsing away for softer hair.
Styling
Styling your hair with heated styling tools can wreak havoc on your locks, leaving it dry, burned and pulled out. Choose gentler methods of styling. Blow-dry your hair until it is 80 percent dry, says HairStyle.com, and allow it to air-dry the rest of the way to avoid over-drying. Never use heated styling tools on wet or damp hair, as the can singe the hair shafts. If you wear a weave, try a bonded weave over a braided one. Braided weaves can cause a condition known as "traction alopecia," says the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. This is hair loss caused by the tight braids that need to be applied to sew in the tracks of hair. Bonded weaves use glue to affix the tracks instead, resulting in less damage to your hair.
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