Your delicate hair endures a lot of abuse over the years. Chemicals, improper grooming and the weather damage your hair and leave it dull, brittle and frizzy, according to Zoe D. Draelos, vice-president elect of the American Academy of Dermatology. "The key is to prevent this damage by stopping the cycle of over-processing and over-grooming our hair and selecting hair care products with proven hair-health benefits," says Draelos.Use these steps to get to the root of the problem and for shiny, healthy hair.
Step 1
Wash hair only once or twice a week with a shampoo for your hair type. Use gentle motions so you don't rip or tear your delicate strands. Thoroughly rinse the shampoo from your hair. Gently squeeze excess water from your hair.
Step 2
Apply a generous amount of a conditioner specifically for damaged hair. Make sure hair is covered from the roots to the ends. Place a plastic cap over your hair and sit down under a hair dryer on medium heat for 30 to 45 minutes. Wrap a towel around the plastic cap if you don't have a hair dryer. Thoroughly rinse the conditioner from your hair and pat dry with a towel.
Step 3
Spray in a leave-in conditioner and apply a small amount of oil to your hair to seal in moisture.
Step 4
Detangle hair with a wide-toothed comb. Use curlers or plait or twist hair and let it dry naturally. Or, apply a heat-protection hair product and use a blow-dryer on low or medium heat and do not stretch hair as you blow-dry it.
Step 5
Avoid using hot irons to style your hair. If you do use them, always use a heat-protection hair product and make sure your hair is completely dry before use, advises the American Academy of Dermatology. Do not use heat-styling tools more than twice a week.
Step 6
Avoid using too many chemicals on your hair. Choose natural hair-care products suitable for your hair type instead.
Step 7
Protect your hair when going outdoors. Heat from the sun, cold, dry winds and pollution can strip your hair of moisture and cause it to frizz and break. Wear a hat or scarf made from a silky or smooth material that reduces friction to your hair and breakage.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid brushing and combing your hair too much as this increases dryness, breakage and thinning. If your hair is chemically processed, you should treat it to a deep conditioner once a week. Your hair reflects your overall health, says Draelos. Eat a well-rounded diet with adequate amounts of protein from sources such as meat, dairy or soy.
- Chemical treatments such as hair dyes and perms are very damaging to your hair, but even more so if you try to do them at home yourself. Visit a hair salon to have a professional properly apply them.
Things You'll Need
- Shampoo and conditioner for damaged hair
- Hair oil
- Deep conditioner
- Curlers
- Wide-toothed comb
- Heat-protection hair products
- Hat or scarf
References
- "Doctor's Book of Home Remedies" Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books; 1990
- Besthealthmag.ca: How to Fix Damaged Hair
- AAD: Dermatologists Warn Ceramic Flat Irons Could Damage Hair And Lead To Hair Breakage
- Pwrnewmedia.com: Getting to The Root of Caring for Your Hair at Any Age
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