Whether your hair is long or short, curly or straight, you need to know how to take care of it properly so it can look at its best. To take care of your hair, you really need information more than you need expensive products. Read on to learn the basics of hair care.
You will have healthier hair if your body is healthy. Eating foods with good nutritional value and getting all of the water that your body needs can dramatically improve the quality of your hair. Foods to include in your hair-healthy diet include fruits, vegetables, unsaturated fats, proteins and whole grains.
If you plan on going swimming you should wet your hair before entering the pool. Most pool water has chlorine in it and it can cause damage to hair. Wetting the hair before going in will ensure that your hair soak up fresh water instead of the chlorine filled water in the pool.
When you are using a hair dryer, you should take extra time to dry it on the cool setting. The cool setting on your hair dryer will cause significantly less damage to your hair, than if you dry it with very hot air. Hot air will cause drying to the hair.
While you should wash your hair often, don’t overdo it. Washing your hair too often, strips it of its natural oils, which gives it shine and volume. For most people, washing their hair a few times a week is enough, unless their hair is especially oily. Washing too often will turn hair dry and brittle.
People with curly hair should absolutely avoid using smoothing brushes and other brushes that have dense, fine bristles. You should use a wide-tooth comb for any combing. However, you should take care to use a heavy detangler before attempting to comb out knots and other tangles, as curly hair is susceptible to breakage.
Women who are taller should have medium-length hair. This will make them look a little shorter than they are. On the other hand, shorter women can get away with pretty much any haircut with the exception of long hair. Shorter women tend to look even shorter when their hair is too long.
Check the labels on your hair care products. Make sure the products are right for your hair type. Nearly all hair care products are labeled specifically for dry, medium or oily hair. Using the wrong product can dry out your hair or leave it looking greasy. The labels are there for a reason.
Avoid using plastic combs and brushes that cause extra static electricity in your hair that can cause your hair to look dull and lifeless, as well as, having fly-aways. There are brushes that you can buy that are made of other materials, such as, animal fibers that will give you less static electricity.
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.
After shampooing your hair you should always rinse it out the best you can. Even if you think all of the shampoo is out of your hair you should rinse it out again. Shampoo residue can cause build up and dry out your hair and scalp that can cause dandruff.
Minimize the use of a blow dryer. A blow dryer produces harmful, hot air, so let your hair dry out naturally whenever possible. If you must use one, use the lowest temperature setting and avoid letting it linger in the same spot for too long. To quickly dry your hair, towel dry it before you use a blow dryer.
If you have long hair you should avoid sleeping it with in a pony tail or braid. This can cause your hair to become damaged and break off. You should either sleep with your hair loose or if you must sleep with it in a pony tail it should be a low and loose one.
While hair spray can be a life saver, it’s not something that you should use too much of. Because it keeps your hair so stiff, it can be damaging. Overly stiff hair also looks very unnatural. Only use hair spray when you absolutely need to. You’ll find your hair looks and feels better.
It is important that you never use hot water to wash your hair. The only thing this is going to do is dry your hair out and when using hot water frequently, it could even cause irreparable damage to it. It is recommended that you use lukewarm water when washing your hair.
Use beer on your hair. Beer is a great way to remove any residue or build up on your hair. Use 1 cup of warm water with 6 tablespoons of beer and after you wash and condition your hair, pour this mixture over your hair. This will help make your hair nice and shiny.
If product buildup is a problem, then a little baking powder might be a great solution. With all the fancy gels, mousses and sprays that have been created for trendy styles, it is easy for product buildup to take over and diminish the effectiveness of your shampoo. Just add a tablespoon of any brand of baking soda to your favorite shampoo and rinse the residue down your drain. Once a week should be all that it takes to keep your hair fresh and clean.
Make your hair fit your individual style. Your hair says a lot about your personality. Whether you are sophisticated and elegant, or if you like something more fun and carefree, find the right style to suit you. This will allow any first impressions you make, to be accented visually by your personality through your hairstyle.
Hair care principles help you take care of your hair regardless of what type of hair you have. Now that you’ve read this article, you should understand what you need to do in order to keep your hair looking at its best. Good luck, and enjoy your new, healthier hair.
