Women today are putting their hair through so much abuse. Whether it’s to cover the grays, flat iron the frizz out, get treatments done to have straight hair and not curly, getting ready for a big event, or just noticing that their hair is thinning, I have found 20 of the best kept secrets to having beautiful hair.
What you don’t want to do is use heavy conditioners, as they leave your hair looking limp. So use a conditioner that has silicone in it, such as dimethicone or cyclomethicone. This ingredient coats the strands with a thin film, letting your hair look and feel fuller without the greasy look.
Protein and omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and nuts help produce a healthier scalp. Nutrients that you find in leafy vegetables, beans, and carrots are not only good for your body, but also for your hair. You should be aware of fad diets that aim at quick loss because deficiency of some nutrients, such as zinc, biotin and protein can cause to hair loss and brittle hair.
As you might have heard, hot water can strip the scalp of sebum, which is the protective oil that acts as a natural conditioner and gives your hair its shine. What you want to do is wash and then rinse your hair in lukewarm water.
Daily or even monthly hair styling, coloring, bleaching, hair relaxers and even perming have a tendency to damage the hair’s protective outer layer, which is the cuticle. There are hair products to help prevent the damage. You need to look for a conditioner that has protein. This fix only lasts until the next shampoo, so you will want to use it regularly.
Natural redheads have thicker hair, while blondes have the thinnest but greatest number of hairs. However, you can enhance the volume of your hair whatever color. What you want to do is use a leave-in conditioner or mousse and dry the root area first. If you have fine hair, use a low-heating setting when blow dry, curling, or flat ironing your hair.
Research has found that dandruff isn't caused by a dry scalp, but by an inflammatory process that affects the scalp. Rubbing oil into the scalp can make the inflammation worse, resulting in more unsightly white flakes. That's why medicated shampoos – either over-the-counter or from a dermatologist – can best treat dandruff. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly after using medicated shampoo.
You might expect a blow dryer with higher wattage to slice a few minutes off your styling routine. What Consumer Reports found out was that all the hair dryers dried in about the same amount of time. There are hair dryers that are noisier than others that were found in this research, but again they did the same thing. The consumer research group found the more expensive dryers were the quietest, and the noisiest were as loud as a lawn mower!
As we are aware now, than say when our mother were younger, 100 brush strokes a day can snap off hairs. Some hair loss is normal – most people lose an average of 50 to 100 hairs every day. The reason for this is these particular hairs have stopped growing and have reached the resting stage. To minimize additional hair loss, use a brush with ball-tipped bristles. Another good tip: avoid brushing while the hair is wet.
Tight ponytails and braids can break off hair and damage the hair follicle. Continuous pulling can even lead to hair loss. Extensions add weight to the hair and also put pressure on the follicle. It is recommended that when wearing extensions, you should only have them in for no more than three months. Also, be aware that wet hair is more fragile, so you shouldn't put your hair in braids or a ponytail while it's wet.
What are we really getting when we pay extra on specialty products? They may contain natural botanicals, but that may not mean a better style. Consumer Reports has tested products on 1,700 ponytail samples and found that the more expensive shampoos didn't perform better than cheaper ones. What is important: Choose shampoos and conditioners designed for your hair type, such as those for oily, fine, or color-treated hair.
Hair doesn't only go gray as we get older – it also becomes weaker and grows more slowly. That means damaged hair won't be snipped off as quickly by haircuts. If you decide not to get your hair dyed by a professional; make sure when you are shopping for hair dye look for brands that target grey hair. Look for chemicals used on "mature" hair because its weaker and helps avoid any hair damage.
As some of us are quite aware, humidity gets the rap for causing frizzy bad hair days. Here’s the thing, there is more static electricity in low humidity. What this means that you will even have frizz in the winter months and in the desert climates of the Southwest. When shopping for shampoo, look for pH-balance in the ingredients as it can calm the frizz of chemically treated hair. Definitely use conditioner to neutralize the static electricity.
Curly hair is more likely to break and become dry and brittle. So it’s better to use a pick to keep your curls looking better. Using a comb or brush will only damage the hair and make it look dull and lifeless. You should look for conditioners with polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone that can smooth hair and make it more manageable. Don't overdo the use of flat-irons and relaxers, which can damage the hair.
As we know, brunettes want to be a blonde. These days, blondes want to go darker. With these sudden (or I should say extreme changes), you need to be aware that you are putting your hair at risk. So it’s recommended that you stay within three shades of your natural color. Then maybe after a few months and much discussion with your stylist go dark or lighter than what you have.
As we know, frequent dying can damage the hair, but it does not seem to harm your health. Most studies have shown that there is no link between hair dyes and cancer. However, there are some studies that show some evidence; but that evidence is weak per the American Cancer Society. The most concerns were raised on semi-permanent and oxidative permanent dyes that are dark brown or black. The safest thing to do is consider lead acetate-based dyes or natural dyes such as henna.
Everyday blow-drying is hard on your hair and can actually lead to hair loss. If you do have to blow dry every day, turn down the heat on your dryer. Finer hair is especially sensitive to damage from heat, but even thick manes need some TLC. Protect your hair before styling by using a conditioner or a heat thermal spray.
Just like your skin, you should keep your hair protected as well. The sun can damage the hair just as it damages the skin. Too much sun exposure can dry the hair out, especially if it's color-treated. I would recommend that you use a light hair spray with SPF protection – or wear a hat when the sun is strongest. Getting frequent trims in the summer can keep your ends looking healthy.
Avoid chlorine damage by rinsing your hair before entering the pool. If your hair is already saturated with water, it won't absorb as much from the chemical in the pool. It’s recommended that you use a pH-balancing hair product to further protect your hair.
For damaged hair it’s good to take a break from hair styling. So the right thing to do is absolutely nothing. All the hair drying, combing, brushing, tugging of the hair and hair coloring damages the shafts of your hair. Believe it or not, even forceful towel-drying can damage your hair. Giving your hair a break a time-out from styling can help the damage hair grow out and the new growth will be healthy.
If you notice that you have had some changes in your hair, such as brittle hair or hair loss, it could be a sign of a health problem. If you are noticing hair loss, it could be caused by thyroid disease, iron deficiency, or an autoimmune disease. If you are taking medications, check the warning label that could be the cause of hair loss as well. Make an appointment with your doctor to find out what is going on.
We women always want our hair to look the best. With that comes much abuse on the hair. Depending on the type of hair you have or what the issue may be, the hair secrets above can help you keep your hair at its best. Are there tips out there that I missed? Please share any hair tips or thoughts on what I have found!
Top Photo Credit: AniSuperNova83