Paying close attention to your hair really isn’t a hard thing to do once you know what you should be looking out for. Everyone has different hair though, this is why you should know everything about caring for your hair, because it is important to know how hair is cared for in general. Look through this article to learn some good hair care tips.
For minimizing breakage, be sure that your hair is completely wet prior to applying shampoo. Don’t use any more than about a quarter-size dollop. Then proceed to rub the shampoo in between your palms to start with. Be sure to lather up for no more than 30 seconds or so.
Living a healthy lifestyle has everything to do with the healthiness of your hair. Eat a balanced diet, and make sure you get plenty of exercise. Excessive smoking, not getting enough sleep, and other unhealthy habits are detrimental to the health of your hair. Take good care of yourself, and your hair will follow suit.
If you utilize a blow dryer, make sure it is moved around frequently so it does not stay focused on one spot. By continually moving the blow dryer, it will help prevent damage to your hair.
An excellent hair care tip is to rinse your hair in cold water after shampooing. Warm or hot water strips the oils and moisture from your hair. Rinsing in cool water instead, will help to seal the moisture into the hair shafts, helping your hair stay stronger and look shiny longer.
During autumn and winter months, avoid being in cold weather for long periods of time. Cold weather can reduce essential oils and nutrients in your hair, causing it to become dry. Therefore, if you have to stay outside for a long time when it is cold, ensure that you wear lots of layers.
When you finish bathing, skip the blow dryer. Air drying your hair encourages volume and discourages frizz. If you must use a blow dryer, consider using it on the cool setting to encourage the sheath of your hair strands to lay down. This encourages the illusion of shine and is better for your hair than heat.
You do not have to wash your hair multiple times in order for your hair to get really clean and stay very healthy. Washing your hair one time will do the trick if you take your time with the whole process and make sure that it is done thoroughly.
Check hair care products before you buy them as they may contain harmful ingredients and chemicals. Avoid alcohol in gels as it will dry your hair. Parabens, which are found in many products, have a possible link to cancer. Mineral oil may also be another carcinogen and glycerin may actually dry instead of moisturize.
Prior to putting on shampoo, get your hair very wet. This will help your hair stay protected, as the washing process takes place. In addition, aim to apply about a quarter-size dab of shampoo onto your head, rubbing it in your hands before putting it on your hair. Too much shampoo could make your hair look drab and lifeless.
Guard against the harmful effects of swimming pool chlorine. It can have a harmful effect on your hair. To help avoid this, wear a high-quality cap everytime you swim, or rinse your hair with clear water before entering the pool. If your hair is already wet, it will soak up less chlorine from the pool. Most pools have showers located in their locker area. Use the shower to rinse off the chlorine.
If you value your hair color, wear a swimming cap before jumping into a chlorinated pool. Chlorine causes hard metals, present in all water in various concentrations, to oxidize, and that in turn can add a green tinge to any hair color. Applying a coat of conditioner before swimming can help, but most public pools frown on that practice. Stick to swimming in lakes and ponds to keep hair from looking like it belongs on a Martian.
Choose silk over cotton. Cotton pillowcases can be bad for long hair because it causes breaks and damage to your hair when it catches on the corners, etc. This happens if you toss and turn during the night. Try buying a silk pillowcase to minimize the amount of damage the pillowcase may do.
Avoid the itchy, flaky scalp associated with dandruff by using mild shampoos and conditioners every day. Limit the use of styling products and avoid coloring or perming your hair. If dandruff persists, try an anti-dandruff shampoo for a couple of weeks. If there is still no improvement, consult a dermatologist for a medical treatment for your dry scalp.
Don’t use straighteners on your hair every single day. Subjecting your hair to any type of heat will cause the structure of your hair to weaken over time. Once your hair’s structure is weak, your hair will be more susceptible to breakage. If you have to use a straightener every day, make sure that you invest in a good heat protectant spray.
You should now have a different perspective on caring for hair. It is a wonderful thing to learn what it takes to care properly for one’s hair because it is such a crucial part to who we are. Apply what you learned today and tend to your hair to make it great looking for all to see.