If you have long hair or have thought about growing yours out, you have likely thought about all the care and effort that goes into keeping your hair beautiful and healthy. However, there are easy ways to get the rewards that come with long hair without having to go through all the difficult care. There are four steps you can take to enjoying healthy and beautiful long hair.
One: Damage Control
Perhaps the hardest part of having long hair is the damage. However, most of the damage inflicted on long hair is as a result of poor handling when the hair is wet. So when you get out of the shower to prevent damage be sure to detangle with your fingers first followed by a wide tooth comb. When pinning back your hair it is best to avoid metal barrettes or elastics since these can cause damage. Plastic clips are the best option to prevent damage. If you want to heat-style your hair then to prevent damage you should reduce your heat as much as possible and use a leave-in heat protector product. Following these steps will go a long way to preventing the damage that is common with long hair.
Two: Selecting a Stylist
In order to maintain the health and beauty of your long hair it is best to look for a stylist who knows how to handle long hair. Make sure you find someone who understands what you want done and is willing to go along with your plans to maintain a healthy head of long hair. You can select the right stylist by making sure you have a consultation with them before making your first appointment. This consultation will give you the opportunity to assess how your stylist will work.
If the consultation goes well then you should first schedule just a routine trim. This way you can observe how they take care of your hair without having any major changes made to your hair that you may not like. Make sure they listen to your requests and that they treat your hair gently and don’t rush. Make sure no damaging cutting techniques are used and that you are comfortable with the final look. Then you can return to the stylist with confidence that they will properly care for your long hair.
Three: Hair Care Products
Long hair is difficult to care for, it is older and more delicate than other hair styles. Therefore, you need the proper products that will meet your hairs special needs. You should be sure you are using a gentle shampoo and don’t use so much conditioner since you need to insure proper cleansing. The best option is to alternate between the use of a conditioner that contains a moisturizer and a conditioner that contains a deep protein treatment. After every shampoo it is also a good idea to use a cream rinse which is not the same as a conditioner. A cream rinse is something that will help with detangling your hair without causing a buildup that would damage your hair. For the most part you are going to have to experiment with various products until you find the right one. The right product for your hair is one that improves the appearance and health of your hair without drying it out too much.
Four: Overall Health
Perhaps one of the most overlooked areas in hair care is a persons overall health. Our hair reflects a great deal on how the rest of our body is health wise. Therefore a good diet and exercise regimen will help to improve you hairs health in addition to your bodies overall health.
For specific hair health you can do a good dry brushing at least once a day to improve the health of both your hair and scalp. When doing a dry brushing always start at the roots using a natural bristle brush and you will help stimulate the muscles in your scalp which can improve the condition of your hair.
