How to care for hair

Introduction

Hair. For better or worse, we all have it. You may be blessed with a gorgeous head of enviable hair, or—like most of us—you may face some challenges to keep your hair healthy and attractive.

The best start for healthy hair is a good haircut. Getting rid of split ends helps the overall look. But severely damaged hair may exist all the way to the scalp. The outer layer, or cuticle, must be intact to protect your hair from dirt and damage. Being aware of a few simple facts can help you prevent serious problems.

Follow these expert tips and you’ll learn how to care for hair.

Enemies of your hair

Even the most beautiful hair requires maintenance to keep it at its best. And even the best of care can’t always prevent “bad hair days.”

You know the symptoms: thinning hair, split ends, dandruff, dry, damaged, or lackluster hair. You’re probably aware of the culprits as well: exposure to UV rays, use of chemical-based products, hard water, or excessive washing, combing, coloring, straightening, or perming. Cures can be tedious and expensive. The best approach is prevention.

Hair and scalp health

Cultivating healthy hair is closely related to maintaining a healthy scalp. Since the hair grows from the follicles in the skin, if the scalp is not kept clean and free of toxins, the hair will not be at its best. Massage your scalp frequently to stimulate the oil glands. It is the oil that gives the hair its sheen and keeps it supple.

The most common conditions are dry, itchy, flaky scalp, and, the most familiar of all—dandruff. Avoiding products with harsh chemicals is a good first step. Some of the worst offenders are sodium laurel sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. These lather well, but can damage your hair.

Nutrition

Eating right can be your first defense against hair problems. Since hair is mostly protein, you need plenty in your diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables are important also. Vitamin and mineral supplements can improve your hair and scalp health. Those associated with good hair health are zinc, biotin, vitamin E, vitamin B, vitamin C and MSM. Drink plenty of water. It not only hydrates your skin, but the hair as well.

Wash weekly, whether it needs it or not

Washing our hair is something we have done so often, we don’t even need to think about it. But maybe we should. Many other cultures think we Americans are too obsessed with cleanliness. Previous generations were content with washing their hair once a week—a ritual combined with the Saturday bath. Now, daily washing is not uncommon. The popularity of corn rows and dreadlocks may have opened up some alternatives to the frequency of washing question.

However often you decide to wash, there are some things to consider. Be sure to get out the tangles before washing. Wet hair breaks easily. Dampen hair with warm water to open up the scales along the hair shaft. Apply a small amount of shampoo and create a lather. Start at the scalp and avoid tangling or piling hair. Rinse and repeat. The first wash removes dirt buildup. The second shampooing will help condition your hair.

If desired, add a conditioner after the second application. Leave in for a few minutes. Covering your hair with a shower cap will help the conditioner to penetrate where it will do the most good. Rinse thoroughly and gently. Squeeze out excess water to dry. Avoid vigorous toweling. Blowing dry with heat can also cause damage. Use a heat protectant if your styling routine includes use of heat.

Dandruff, dry, dull or oily hair

Daily washing can help eliminate dandruff. In stubborn cases, use specially formulated dandruff shampoos. Ingredients to look for are zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid or ketoconazole. To avoid building up an immunity to the active ingredients, rotate brands.

Dry hair may be eliminated by using a hot oil treatment. Dull hair may be caused by too much brushing. In extreme cases, apply a mixture of raw egg mixed with oil to hair and allow to set for several minutes. Rinse with cool water. Oily hair should be washed frequently, as often as twice a day. Shampoo twice, massaging scalp thoroughly during the washing.

Brushing, combing and styling your hair

Even though you wash carefully and keep your scalp healthy, daily abuse can create problems. Your grandmother was advised to brush her hair daily for 100 strokes. If you have a boar bristle brush, this may be a good idea. But brushing with synthetic fibers may actually cause further damage. Avoid wearing your hair up every day. Pulling and stretching can cause damage. You also want to expose your hair to fresh air and moderate amounts of sunshine. Avoid using too many products on your hair. Keep your routine simple.