Braid it, curl it, wrap it in a bun. Women can style their hair in a myriad of ways. And most of the time, the style they choose depends on their mood as well as their willingness to spend time and resources on it.
But many prefer to wear their long, luscious locks naturally. They are simply proud of their long, beautiful hair.
If you also want to show off your long natural, here are some healthy habits to adopt to help you achieve terrific tresses:
- Cut it.
Yes, you read that right. But this doesn’t mean that you should go ahead and hack it all off. For healthier tips and to avoid split ends and hair breakage, hair experts recommend that you get a regular trim.
- Follow a healthy lifestyle.
Exercising and eating the right food will help you take care of your hair from within. For healthy hair follicles, choose foods that are rich in:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B5
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Omega 3 fatty acids.
Fish products, legumes, liver, egg yolks, and grain products can also help prevent dry scalp, dull hair, and hair loss. Eating healthy can also increase hair flexibility and produce strong strands.
- Know your hair.
Knowing what type of hair you have will help you choose the right hair care treatments and techniques. For instance, if you have straight hair, natural oils tend to draw away faster which means you may have to wash your hair after two days. When you do, shampoo your scalp, condition your ends, and rinse really well.
If you have curly hair, you can probably go without shampooing your hair for longer than two days (depends on hair exposure too, of course). Curls usually require a more intensive approach especially with the use of hair products.
- Skip the shampoo.
Not forever, mind you. Shampooing daily strips the hair of its natural oils which are essential for your hair to hydrate and repair itself. Just be careful not to have too much build-up as it may also cause itching and dandruff.
When you shampoo, avoid hot water as it will dry out your hair and cause tangles and breakage. Also, remember to put just the right amount commensurate with the thickness and length of your tresses. It’s also important that you massage your scalp with it to encourage blood circulation.
- Condition properly.
Invest in a good quality conditioner or leave-in treatments. This is especially helpful when you have colored hair.
For thick, curly hair, deep conditioning is a must. To condition properly, first, squeeze out excess water after you shampoo. If you can, towel dry your hair before conditioning.
Removing the surplus water will allow the conditioner to penetrate better, giving you stronger, shinier hair. Next, apply the conditioner on the ends as applying it directly to the roots will promote grease build up faster.
- Rinse with cool water.
Hot water is not just bad for your skin; it is also detrimental to your scalp and hair, too. Cap off your shower with a cool rinse to seal off cuticles and strengthen them before you go and heat style your locks.
- Comb, don’t brush.
Wet hair is highly susceptible to breakage so it is better to pat it dry rather than rubbing it roughly with a towel. To work out knots, comb wet hair with a wide-toothed comb. When hair is dry, you can brush from the bottom working your way up.
Make sure to clean your comb at least once a month to get rid of hair, excess oil and other hair products, and prevent it from being a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Ease up on the heat.
Excessive heat styling can damage your hair. If you must, use heat protectants first before styling. If you have curly hair, don’t blow dry your tresses frequently since too much heat can lead to frizz.
After shampooing, wait at least 15 minutes before you blow dry to cut down on heat exposure. Don’t go full bast with the heat as well.
- Go easy on the chemicals.
As much as possible, let your hair go au naturel. Some hair products and hair “treatments” contain chemicals that can considerably damage your hair. If possible, choose hair-friendly ones that really nourish your tresses from the inside out.
- Schedule regular salon dates.
You may be religiously going about your hair care regimen but it also pays to see your hairstylist once in a while. There are special salon treatments and techniques that your hair can benefit from so when you have the time, visit your stylist.
Their expertise and experience will surely be something that can help you nurture your flowing locks.
Adopting these healthy hair habits will ensure that your mane will surely stay Magnifique!
AUTHOR BIO
Hillary Kozma is the Owner/Managing Director/Creative Director of Kozma & Kozma Salon. Having built the foundation of her skills with an apprenticeship under a direct protege of Vidal Sassoon, Hillary and her husband opened Glow American Salon in Qatar in 2007 before expanding to Dubai as Kozma & Kozma in 2016. Hillary is hailed by the media as a “pioneer in her field” for introducing new talents, concepts, philosophies, and techniques to the Middle East.
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