What Should I Do With My Hair?

We frequently act in ways that harm our hair in the pursuit of beautiful hair. Damaged hair is brittle and frequently breaks. We might have frizzy, unattractive hair as a result of hair breakage. If we continue to harm our hair, we might eventually notice bald spots or even thinning hair. Good news! Small adjustments can stop more hair damage from occurring. Read this passage and find out the answers.

Protect Your Hair

These simple tips can go a long way toward staving off damage:

Get It Wet Less Often

Water causes internal swelling in the hair, which pushes the cuticle upward. “Frizz and breakage result when that occurs repeatedly, according to cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller. “Avoid washing your hair more often than necessary. Always take advantage of the opportunity to skip a day.” Instead, embrace a dry shampoo that’s a hard-core oil and odor absorber. 

Stock Your Shower

On those days when you do wash your hair, add a pre-shampoo—yep, that’s a thing now—to your routine. Cosmetic chemist Ni’Kita Wilson advises using it on all hair types, with the exception of fine hair, because it acts as a sealant and “smooths the hair’s cuticle before it gets wet so there’s less damage.” Additionally, it shields against rubbing caused by shampoo massage. “The edges of your hair fray when it rubs against itself, she explains.

Change The Way You Think About Conditioners

We all know they smooth frizz and make your hair softer and shinier. However, you should be aware that conditioners are essential for heat protection if you own a blow dryer or flatiron. It’s just as important as a heat-protectant spray, if not more because conditioner is better at coating the hair. Look for ingredients that won’t wash off on labels, such as words like “medicine” or “polyquaternium.” After leaving it on for at least five minutes, rinse with cool water. This makes it possible to leave the hair with more conditioner residue.

Add Layers

Add additional protection with a heat-protectant spray since heat is the worst thing you can do to your hair. However, keep in mind that if you want it to work, you have to apply it the proper hairstylist way, which is to take small, damp hair sections and mist each one up and down the length (two to three spritzes per section). When you’re done, comb your hair to evenly distribute the formula because, according to Wilson, heat protectants are pretty useless if they aren’t applied everywhere. Getting there only takes a few seconds.

Shampoo

Pick a shampoo that is designed for your particular hair type. Sulfates, which are detergent-like components found in many shampoos and used to remove extra oil and dirt, can harm hair. Look for formulas that say “sulfate free” and list dimethicone as an ingredient. Shine and manageability are improved.

Moisturize

After every shampoo, use a conditioner designed for dry or damaged hair. Toye advises using regular home remedies like protein packs and deep conditioners. You might only need one treatment per month if your hair is only mildly dry. Use a deep conditioner once or even twice a week if your hair is extremely dry. How frequently to use it will depend on your stylist.

Comb Carefully

Dry, damaged hair is prone to breaking because it’s so fragile. “Excessive pulling caused by using the wrong comb or brush is a main cause,” says Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. Toye suggests using a wide-toothed comb or a brush that’s labeled specifically for detangling hair before getting in the shower. He claims that detangling wet hair without pulling is more challenging.

Dry Gently

To avoid breaking your dry hair, be gentle when towel drying. Toye advises gently pressing water out, much as you would with a cashmere sweater, as opposed to vigorously rubbing.

Spare The Heat

Use the lowest setting on blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons, and limit heat styling to once per week. Toye advises using dry shampoo to extend the intervals between heat stylings. Put a thermal-protection spray or serum on your hair after using styling products like gel or mousse and before using heat. “According to Toye, these function as a buffer to stop heat damage.

Repair And Damage Control

“According to Toye, accumulated abuse causes dry hair to get worse over time. Cutting off damaged hair is the only effective way to remove the damage.

Use the above-mentioned prevention and protection strategies if a dramatic chop is not an option. They can make damaged hair feel and look better. There are a few other ways to make dreary hair look lively:

At Home

Use deep conditioning products that contain ingredients like wheat proteins, amino acids, or panthenol in addition to conditioning after you shampoo. For a few days, these will contribute to the softness, smoothness, and shine of your hair. If additional moisture is required, Jaliman also advises using a leave-in conditioner.

At The Salon

Toye prefers using keratin treatments to smooth out dry hair. They cover hair with keratin protein, usually with the aid of heat. For about four weeks after doing this, your hair will be smooth and shiny. However, don’t anticipate any miracles. “You’ll notice a significant difference if your hair is slightly dry and frizzy, claims Toye. “You won’t, though, if it’s been completely butchered.”

The safety of keratin treatments has been questioned, and that is important to know. Some may contain or release unsafe levels of formaldehyde, a chemical that has been linked to health problems, including cancer.

When To See A Dermatologist

You might want to visit a dermatologist if altering how you take care of your hair does not result in healthier hair. Your issue might not be directly related to how you care for your hair. If you are worried about hair loss or thinning, it is especially important to visit a dermatologist. Most causes are treatable or can be stopped. Your results will be better the sooner the issue is resolved.