Dry, damaged hair is unattractive and can rob you of a youthful appearance. Taking good care of your tresses can go a long way in improving the health, strength, shine and elasticity of your hair. Determine whether your hair tends to be dry, oily or normal, and choose hair care products that are formulated for your hair type. Also take into consideration whether your hair is straight, wavy or curly when choosing hairbrushes and other styling equipment.
Step 1
Clean your hair and scalp. "Fitness Magazine" explains that dead skin cells and hair-product buildup can make your hair look limp, lifeless and dull. Before washing, brush your hair well from your hairline to the back of your neck to loosen any debris that is stuck to your scalp. Then use your fingertips to massage shampoo into your scalp, making sure that you are rubbing hard enough to move the skin on your head. Rinse well to remove all traces of the shampoo.
Step 2
Apply a conditioner that contains silicones, a provitamin and mineral oil, suggests GoodHousekeeping.com. A good conditioner can make your hair appear smoother, and will allow you to go longer between trims, because it will hide split ends.
Step 3
Rinse the conditioner out of your hair with cool water. GoodHousekeeping.com explains that while this does not close the cuticle of your hair, as commonly thought, the cool water will leave more of the conditioning agents behind than hot water will.
Step 4
Dry your hair with a soft towel. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle it while it is still damp, suggests KidsHealth.org. Allow it to dry naturally if possible, because blow dryers and other styling tools can make hair dull and dry. If you must blow dry your hair, use a low setting.
Step 5
Style your hair gently. Avoid braiding your hair tightly or wearing it in a tight ponytail on a regular basis. This can break and damage strands.
Step 6
Treat your hair to a deep conditioning or oil treatment weekly if it tends to be dry. This will rehydrate your hair and restore shine, says GoodHousekeeping.com.
Step 7
Add healthy fats to your diet, recommends HelpGuide.org. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats contribute to supple hair and skin. Good sources of healthy fats include avocados, nuts, olive and canola oil and fatty fish.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid using purifying shampoos regularly, says FitnessMagazine.com. These can strip too much moisture from your scalp. Use them monthly at most. Have your hair trimmed regularly to remove split ends. If you want to change the color of your hair, have a professional stylist perform the treatment to minimize the risk of damage and over-drying.
Things You'll Need
- Plastic hairbrush
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Towel
- Wide-tooth comb
- Hot oil treatment
- Healthy fats
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