Hair is only beautiful if it is healthy and vibrant. Dull, dry, damaged hair can be an eyesore. Protecting hair from chemicals and mechanical damage, and conditioning hair regularly to replace lost nutrients and moisture can help make it shiny, silky and healthy. Hair experts at Redken say that using products that address the specific type of damage is the best way to condition hair. Proper care and maintenance are essential for hair's beauty and strength.
Step 1
Shampoo hair with a gentle cleanser. Choose a shampoo like Miessence's Desert Flower Shampoo for Dry hair, which receives the highest ranking on GoodGuide.com, a website dedicated to finding safe, healthy and green products.
Step 2
Rinse hair thoroughly. Jeni Thomas, PhD, Pantene Senior Scientist says to use cool to warm water, not hot, when rinsing hair and to use open palms rather than fingertips to guide suds out of hair.
Step 3
Apply a daily conditioner that addresses your hair's specific needs. If your hair is color-treated, use a conditioner for chemically damaged hair. If your hair is exposed to a lot of heat styling from blow drying and curling iron use, choose a conditioner that protects hair and repairs mechanical damage. Thomas suggests applying conditioner from mid-shaft to ends and rinsing with cool or warm water.
Step 4
Apply a leave-in conditioner to protect hair from sun and add strength and cuticle reinforcement. Spray onto damp or dry hair and brush through.
Step 5
Deep condition weekly. Steve Shiel, PhD, associate director, Pantene Science says to look for moisturizing products with silicone to help develop a barrier for hair. Pantene's Beautiful Length's Five Minute Rinse-Off Mask and Redken's Extreme Deep Fuel are deep conditioners you can use weekly to strengthen and protect hair.
Tips and Warnings
- Thomas says that getting proper nutrition can help nourish hair from the inside. She recommends drinking plenty of water and getting enough rest to ensure hair is as healthy as it can be. To reduce damage from blow drying, allow hair to partially dry before blowing. Angle the dryer down the shaft to keep the cuticle from being roughed up, which can make hair appear dull. The right hairbrush can make all the difference. Thomas recommends splurging on brush made with natural fibers to help move natural oils from the scalp down the hair shaft.
- Thomas warns that using flat irons and curling irons on wet hair can cause the water to boil within the shaft, causing damage and weakening the hair. Only use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair as it is more fragile than dry hair. Never use a brush on wet hair.
Things You'll Need
- Shampoo
- Daily conditioner
- Leave-in conditioner
- Deep conditioner
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