It’s no secret that women take a lot of pride in the appearance of our hair. We buy countless products and spend hours styling it. If you have long, fine to medium hair, here are a few tips to keep your locks looking luscious.
Haircuts and Trims
Trimming your hair is essential for avoiding unsightly ends. If the tips feel rougher than the majority of your hair, it is usually a good indicator that it is time to snip away. Even if you are trying to grow your hair out, you should still get a trim once every six weeks, removing at least 1-2 cm.
Washing
Most women wash their hair daily or every other day. If you’re hair has a tendency to be dry, do NOT wash it every day. The natural oils that your scalp produces are beneficial and necessary to maintain the health of your hair. For people with oily hair, it is often necessary to wash it daily in order to avoid looking like someone rubbed margarine on it. If this is the case for you, use a shampoo only for daily washing and avoid getting product on the bottom two to three inches of your hair. This will help to avoid any unnecessary chemical damage to the tips.
Brushing
It is best to brush your hair as little as possible and use a brush with well spaced and thick bristles. The least amount of contact with your hair will reduce friction, split ends and frizz.
Heat
Heat is the main cause of hair damage. By applying a heat source, it destroys the natural lipid layer that protects your strands. These lipids do not regenerate once destroyed, and though conditioner may help a bit, it does not replace this essential coating. In order to protect this layer, it is best to let your hair air dry as much as possible. If you need to blow dry your hair, use the lowest setting possible. The same goes with straighteners. If you must use a straightener, aim for only once a week and make sure to place a damp towel between your hair and the flatiron.
Product
Some girls go overboard with product and end up causing their hair more damage in the end. For most, conditioner is best used twice to three times a week. Over using it will actually weigh your hair down over time, making you lose body. For both conditioners and hair serums, it is best to avoid your scalp altogether. Instead, apply the product by starting at the tip. This will ensure your hair gets it where it needs it the most.
Added Tip
The best advice to give a woman with long hair is to let it get really oily every week or two. When you look like you could grease a frying pan, take a fine toothed comb and, starting at the roots, comb the natural oils throughout the length of your hair. This will give the entire length of your hair the natural oils that it needs and form a slight protective barrier. On these days, put your hair up in a pony tail or bun to hide your oily hair.
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