Healthy Hair
Hair style is the pinnacle of self-expression, creativity, and individuality. It frames the face and if done well – it enhances a person’s appearance. It can have social or cultural significance and has the power to affect our confidence and self-esteem.
But healthy hair that attracts the right attention does not just happen by itself.
Sure, there are the creative talents and well-trained technical experts at your favourite salon. But it’s what happens between those salon visits that really counts and the burden for this day-to-day care falls to you. But it doesn’t have to be a burden
The desire for strong and healthy-looking hair is universal. Some have their genetics to thank for their luscious locks but for others, healthy hair means a lot of time invested in choosing the right products and the right hair treatments to provide longevity, maintenance and reduce the risk of premature hair loss.
Here’s some expert advice on how to care and maintain your hair in-between your visits to the salon.
1. Wash Your Hair with A Shampoo That’s Right for You
Knowing your scalp type is critical and there are essentially 3 - oily, dry and combined. For an oily scalp, you’ll need a less shampoo with less moisturizing properties. A shampoo with a double-cleansing formula can be very effective in such cases.
A dry scalp requires the opposite - a hydrating shampoo.
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When applying shampoo - massage your scalp for at least 3-4 minutes to encourage blood circulation.
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Always read the labels on shampoo bottles.
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Shampoos that contain many silicones will weigh your hair down.
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Look for natural ingredients (a mix of essential oils and botanicals),
2. Moisturise Your Hair with a Hair Conditioner
Good conditioners are deigned to do what shampoos don’t – moisturize, detangle and add volume to your hair leaving it looking healthy and shiny. But as with shampoos, conditioners need to be picked according to the type of hair and scalp you have. The wrong hair conditioner can leave your hair feeling heavy or dry and brittle.
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Pay attention to the ingredients. Again, look for natural ingredients.
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spirulina and plankton extracts are known for their powerful moisturizing features.
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Soy proteins and shea butter can help strengthen hair while making it more elastic.
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Detangling agents help to develop smooth and intensely shiny hair.
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Panthenol will penetrate deep into the hair and add volume to it while at the same time repairing the damaged cuticle layers. This is especially important if you regularly use a blow dryer or a hair straightener.
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The addition of tea tree oil, peppermint and lavender creates a wonderful fragrance that is typically long lasting.
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Panthenol is another important ingredient to look out for.
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If you have naturally dry hair, then you should consider a conditioner enriched with aloe,
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A blend of echinacea and currant extract hydrates dry hair and helps protect it from heat and UV rays.
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Conditioners that contain cold-pressed Australian macadamia oil are highly recommended for extremely damaged and chemically treated hair because this ingredient has proven to nourishes and revitalise the scalp and hair.
3. Repairing Hair Masks
Hair masks are made from special formulas and are designed to repair damaged hair and keep it healthy and strong. A hair mask can be applied weekly or monthly, depending on the condition of your hair, and just like shampoos and conditioners, hair masks are available for all hair types. There are a wide choice of commercially produced hair masks and these usually contain a number of natural oils, vitamins, proteins, fruit and plant extracts, glycerine and butter.
It's important to follow the instructions but in most cases, a hair mask should be applied to thoroughly washed hair. It should remain on for a few minutes, then be rinsed off.
You can also make your own mask at home using natural ingredients - olive oil, coconut oil, banana, avocado, honey, milk and egg yolk.
4. The Best Hair Styling Products
There are hundreds of hair styling products that promise to make your hair look otherworldly. Some work, but many don’t. Here are the must haves:
Heat
A major contributing factor to hair damage is heat. As well as the sun, this damage is most often caused by blow dryers and styling wands. Using a heat protecting spray can prevent that kind of damage and help to keep your hair soft and shiny.
Volume
To maintain the volume of your hair, consider using a hair mousse. It’s a product that looks like foam and works both on wet, dry and damp hair. It’s a very versatile product that you can use for daily styling.
Quick Retouch
Try using a sea salt spray. It can refresh your hair in just a few seconds and it’s compact so it’s easy to carry with you. Plus, salt makes your hair look effortlessly wavy and keeps it from drying out.