Hair can be damaged for a number of reasons, from water temperatures to atmospheric conditions. When they become damaged, they appear brittle and rough and are often more difficult to style. If you want to have a healthy and shiny hair, just follow a few simple steps, such as carefully choosing the products to use, washing your hair as little as possible and protecting it from the most aggressive environmental factors.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Wash the Hair
Step 1. Avoid washing them every day
Try shampooing every 2-3 days rather than daily. If you overdo it, water and products can deprive your scalp of the natural sebum that is needed to keep it healthy. If in short supply, they can become brittle and greasy due to excessive sebaceous secretion that compensates for the deficiency.
- If you feel the need to wash your head, alternate between dry shampoo and regular shampoo.
- By reducing the frequency of washing you will find that your hair will stay clean for longer.
Step 2. Use sulfate and silicone free products
Many products are made with chemicals that are harmful to the hair, such as sulfates. Silicone is also no exception, because it risks occluding the pores, from which the sebum is secreted, and drying the hair. So opt for natural products that contain fewer harmful ingredients.
- To find the most suitable products for your hair you will have to make numerous attempts. If you find that some tend to flatten or dull them, try others.
- Choose a product based on your hair type. If you prefer, you can consult your trusted hairdresser and ask him for some advice.
Step 3. Shampoo
The shampoo helps remove dirt and oil build-up. To use it properly, wet your hair first, then apply a small amount to the top of your head and scalp. Massage so that the foam forms and distribute the product all over the head using your fingers. Don't rub too hard or you risk damaging them.
- You can also try applying a small amount of shampoo directly to your fingers. Gently run it through your hair instead of vigorously rubbing your head.
- If you have dandruff, buy a specific shampoo.
Step 4. Massage the conditioner into the ends
When applying conditioner, try to limit yourself to the tips and avoid the roots and scalp, otherwise you could weigh down and grease the entire hair. Distribute it along the hair with your fingers, leave it on for a few minutes and, finally, proceed to rinse.
You don't have to use it after every wash, especially if you have oily hair. However, it can help prevent split ends
Step 5. Lower the water temperature
If it is too hot it can damage your hair, just like the heat emitted by the hairdryer. To avoid this risk, use lukewarm (or cold) water to wash and rinse them.
In particular, use cold water when you have to remove the shampoo and conditioner, because the heat could affect the action of the nutritional properties contained in these products. In addition, cold water makes the hair shinier
Step 6. Try to deeply hydrate them once a week
While you don't need to apply conditioner every time you wash your head, you can keep your hair healthy by using a deep moisturizing mask every week. To feed it properly:
- Distribute the conditioner along the hair. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.
- Then apply the shampoo as usual and conditioner again. When you rinse the conditioner for the second time, gently run your fingers through your hair rather than rubbing it to remove all traces of the product.
- Once the conditioner is off, use very cold water to close the cuticles and restore the shine of the hair.
Step 7. Clean your combs and brushes regularly
In addition to washing your hair, you should also take care of cleaning the tools you use to style it. If they are oily, the sebum can easily transfer to the bristles and spread all over your hair when you comb your hair.
Wash your combs and brushes with warm soapy water and let them air dry
Step 8. Air dry your hair
Avoid using a towel or hairdryer. By rubbing them with a spongy fabric or wrapping them while they are still wet, you risk scrambling them, favoring split ends and frizz.
- Instead, get an old shirt or pillowcase. They are softer than the towel fabric and, as a result, the risk of damage to the hair is lower.
- A microfiber towel is also quite delicate. You can use it without ruining or ruffling your hair.
Method 2 of 4: Using Products and Brushes that Keep Hair Healthy
Step 1. Determine your hair type
If you are not aware of it, find out so you can buy the right products and use the techniques that best suit your hair. Consider the length, thickness and texture of the hair to determine its type.
You can have hair that is in perfect shape, whether it is fine, thick, curly or short
Step 2. Use dry shampoo if they look greasy
When they start to look dirty, but you aren't going to wash them yet, you can apply a dry shampoo to restore vigor. Hold the spray about 10 '' away from your head and spray it on the roots with quick jets. Massage your scalp and, when done, comb through.
Step 3. Try moisturizing them with a natural oil
If store-bought products weigh them down, try using a natural oil to add shine without greasing. Just apply half a tablespoon from mid-length to the ends on freshly washed hair. It will nourish them making them smooth and silky.
In addition to the shampoo and conditioner, the choice of oil may also involve several attempts. The most used substances to moisturize hair are coconut, almond, avocado, argan and castor oil
Step 4. Use natural powders to feed them
There are some natural powders capable of giving strength to the hair, softening and nourishing it. To put it to good use, rub a small amount into your hair and scalp.
The most common ones include mustard, ginger, brahmi, and amla
Step 5. Choose the right brush
When choosing, consider the type of your hair. Evaluate the difficulties you face to take care of them.
- Boar bristle brushes are ideal for thick and long hair, as they give a smooth and shiny look.
- The nylon brushes are suitable for medium length hair and help to detangle even the wildest hair.
- Plastic brushes are the most common, suitable for any type of hair and need, although ideal for thick ones.
- Fine-toothed combs are perfect for short, thin hair.
- Wide-toothed combs work best on short, thick hair.
Step 6. Do not brush them when they are wet
Wait until they are almost completely dry before untangling them with the comb or brush. Damp hair is much weaker and therefore more prone to damage.
Generally, those with curly hair do not brush them. If your hair is also curly and prone to frizz, avoid combing it too often
Step 7. Reduce how often you comb your hair
By brushing your hair several times a day there is a risk that it will get greasy. Just use the brush in the morning and evening.
If they get tangled, try to untangle them with the help of your fingers
Step 8. Choose rubber bands that don't ruin your hair
Some hair styling accessories can break your hair by promoting split ends. If you tend to tie them often, buy rubber bands that do not damage and do not produce knots. Also, instead of picking them up and pulling them into very tight hairstyles, opt for a soft ponytail, to avoid ruining them further.
Method 3 of 4: Use Thermal Tools with Caution
Step 1. Purchase quality styling tools
While it's best to keep them away from the heat as much as possible, when you need to straighten, curl, and dry them, you'll want to rely on good quality tools. Often, if they are cheap, they cause more serious damage because they are built with low quality materials. They also don't allow you to significantly change the temperature, so they force you to use the higher one, even when not needed.
Step 2. Use a protective spray before styling
Before using the hair dryer, straightener or curling iron, apply a special heat protector to reduce the risk of damaging them. Wait until they are half dry and spread it over the strands. Then comb gently using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb.
- To protect them further, dry them on a medium or low temperature.
- Do not apply silicone based products before using thermal styling tools. They could penetrate the stem and compromise its hydration. Finish styling your hair and apply an anti-frizz serum if you want.
Step 3. Do not use the blow dryer nozzle
In this way, the flow of hot air will be directed to each individual strand and the risk of damage will be higher. Just point the hair dryer down to get the same result.
Step 4. Avoid thermal tools altogether if you have damaged hair
Forget the use of styling tools until your hair is back to health. Heat can cause severe damage to dry or broken locks.
Step 5. Try styling them without using heat
Instead of using a hair dryer, straightener or curling iron every day, try some hairstyles that free you from using these tools. For example you can use ribbons, clothespins or bands. Other ideas include:
- The round brushes with boar bristles are effective when you want to straighten your hair without using the straightener. Their shape allows them to be smooth and shiny.
- When they are still slightly damp, twist them into a bun and secure them with bobby pins. Wait about an hour before dissolving them again. You will get soft and natural waves.
- Do a braid when they are still a little damp, before going to sleep. Dissolve it in the morning and flaunt your naturally wavy locks.
Method 4 of 4: Maintain Healthy Hair
Step 1. Don't torture them
Continuously twisting them they will become greasy due to the sebum present on the fingers. Similarly, you should avoid pulling or breaking split ends, otherwise it will only make the situation worse.
Step 2. Check them often
If you tend to have split ends, shorten them frequently to make them look stronger. Aim to trim them every 3 months and consider trimming them lightly every 6 weeks.
If they are badly damaged, consider a clean cut. This way you will get rid of all dead hair, even if the result will be a very short look
Step 3. Don't change color all the time
Avoid dyeing them too often, as they can dry out and be severely damaged by the harmful substances contained in these treatments.
If you wish to continue dyeing them, at least wait until you see some regrowth at the roots
Step 4. Eat healthily
By choosing the right foods you can promote hair growth, help repair and prevent hair loss. If you don't get enough nutrients every day, thinning hair could become a real risk.
- Get enough protein. Hair is made up of protein, so eating meat, eggs, and other protein sources will provide your body with everything it needs to grow healthily.
- Opt for foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids and other essential fatty acids, including almonds and fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel.
- Vitamins B6 and B12 are also useful for hair health.
Step 5. Drink lots of water
To stay strong, your hair needs to be hydrated, so make sure you drink enough to meet this need. This way, in addition to taking care of your health, you will also moisturize your skin and nails.
Step 6. Decrease the damage caused by environmental conditions
Both pollution and smoking (active and passive) dehydrate the hair. Try to limit the number of cigarettes smoked, stay away from people who smoke and avoid heavily polluted areas.
Step 7. Protect them from the sun
If you often expose yourself to the sun, you will need to protect your head with a hat or a bandana, in order to prevent sunburn as well.
- If you don't like hats, apply a product to protect your hair, such as a leave-in spray conditioner or a hair sunscreen diluted with water.
- Avoid products that contain alcohol if you want to expose yourself to the sun, as they can further harm the health of your hair.
Step 8. Protect them from harmful substances
If you go to the pool, protect them from chlorine. Before diving, apply a leave-in spray conditioner to prevent them from absorbing too much chlorine. For maximum protection against this substance, avoid getting them wet by wearing a suitable cap.
If they get damaged by chlorine, try mixing the shampoo with a little vinegar to get a natural restorative. Alternatively, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to your leave-in conditioner (if you use it) as it is a substance that helps invigorate your hair
Advice
- Avoid washing and styling them if you don't have to go anywhere. Give them a break so they have a chance to recover.
- Choose ceramic styling tools to reduce heat damage.
- Dry them using the lowest temperature if you want to use the straightener later.
- On windy days, consider wearing a hooded jacket to keep them from getting ruffled.
- To ensure a precious supply of vitamin E, you can prepare a hair mask based on olive oil and mayonnaise. After putting it on, rinse it and you will notice greater softness and brightness!
