Hair is one of the first things many people notice about you. Typically, hair grows approximately a centimeter per month for about two to three years, according to the Family Doctor website, with 90 percent of your hair growing at a given time. After a brief resting phase, it falls out, with new hair growing right behind it. Your goal is to keep your hair as healthy-looking as possible during both the growth and resting phase.
Start with a Hair Cut
The longer your hair is, the more it is exposed to the elements and your brush or comb. Have all the damaged hair cut so you can start with a healthy head of hair. You may only need a trim to get rid of split ends.
Eat for Your Hair
Your hair is made of keratin, so you need to eat a diet with enough healthy protein to sustain healthy hair. Include a couple of servings per day of beans, soy, nuts and omega-3 rich food such as salmon. According to the Holistic Online website, you also need the B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and amino acids L-cysteine and L-Methionine for healthy hair.
Shampoo and Condition
Start out with a gentle shampoo advises New York salon owner Sam Brocato on the Daily Makeover website. Look for a shampoo that doesn't remove all the moisture from your hair, and don't wash it more than three times per week. If your hair gets dirty more often, try a dry shampoo. As you wash your hair, only use your fingertips and gently massage your scalp to lather up.
Use a conditioner for your hair type. Apply it to the ends of your hair first and work your way up with the least amount of conditioner at the scalp. If you color your hair, using a conditioner for your specific color will keep you from having to reapply the color treatments as often, according to Brocato. Deep condition your hair before it starts looking dry.
Be Gentle
When it's time to dry your hair, you need to be gentle. Pat it with a dry towel and resist the urge to vigorously rub it. Friction can cause the hair shaft to become rough, which will give your hair a dull, lifeless texture.
Never brush your hair when it's wet. Gently rake your fingers through it to remove as many tangles as possible without yanking too hard. If you still have tangles, use a wide-tooth comb and start from the ends, then work your way up to the hair closest to the scalp. After your hair is dry, brush it very gently but only when it's necessary.
Limit Heat
Limit the amount of heat you apply to your hair. When you have time, allow your hair to dry naturally. When you must use a blow dryer, don't use a brush until your hair is 80 percent dry, advises Irene Meikle, an artistic director of the Graham Webb hair company. In an article on the Marie Claire website, an educator for Phyto hair products Christyn Nawrot, recommends using a product that protects the hair from heat before blowing it dry. Other heat-producing items that can damage your hair include curling irons and flat irons, so only use them when necessary.
Member Comments