Do you want long, lustrous locks? Here are some tried and tested tips to protect hair and keep it healthy.
Is your hair care regimen not giving you the luscious locks you see in shampoo commercials? Despite the countless shampoos, conditioners, and masks that line your bathroom shelves, achieving healthy and strong strands can be a daunting task. Factors like environmental stressors, heat styling, excessive chemical exposure, and friction can wreak havoc on your strands. If you are plagued by issues like excess hair fall or your strands look brittle and lifeless, it is time to make a few tweaks to your hair care routine. I have put together a list of five effective tips to protect your hair and boost your hair health.
Limit your heat exposure
The best way to protect hair and keep it looking soft and shiny is to dial down the heat. If blow dryers, curlers, and straighteners are a part of your daily hair routine, you need to stop. Excessive use of these hot styling tools can rob your strands of natural moisture and cause the hair to become dry and brittle. Limit heat exposure and use these tools sparingly. You can also practise safe styling techniques to protect hair. For example, according to one research, when blow drying your hair, keep the blow dryer around six inches away from your hair to minimise damage. You can also set your hair styling tools to a lower heat setting to prevent damage. Another important tip is to always use a heat protectant before exposing your hair to these tools.
Add more protein to your diet
Your hair follicles mostly contain protein. Therefore, if you are facing a lot of hair troubles recently, it may indicate that your diet lacks enough protein. Studies reveal that a diet low in protein may trigger hair loss and thinning. By eating a protein-rich diet, you can give your hair follicles the vital nutrients they need to produce new, healthy hair strands, which accelerates and strengthens hair development. Moreover, you can boost your hair’s elasticity and increase its resistance to everyday wear and tear by including extra protein in your diet.
Switch to a silk pillowcase
Swapping your cotton pillowcases with the silk ones is one of the best ways to protect hair and keep damage at bay. Silk offers a silky surface for your hair to glide over while you sleep, unlike cotton, which can cause friction and breakage. Silk pillowcases manage tangling, frizz, and breakage, helping you wake up with smoother, glossier hair every morning. Silk pillowcases do not rob your hair of natural oils as they are less absorbent than cotton. As a result, your hair stays hydrated and is less susceptible to damage and breakage.
Don’t overwash your hair
If you want to protect hair and keep it healthy and vibrant, you must not wash your strands daily. Overwashing your hair can strip it of the natural oils. Your scalp will therefore have to work harder to produce more oil, which will result in an overly oily scalp. You can probably reduce the frequency of shampoo washing to two or three times per week instead of every day unless your hair is really oily. Also, do not wash your hair with hot water. I recommend washing your hair with lukewarm water to avoid damage. It helps gently rinse accumulated dirt and oils while opening up the cuticle. Avoid using too much shampoo as well. To thoroughly cleanse your hair, you just need to use a quarter-sized amount of shampoo, mostly on your scalp.
Massage your scalp
We all know how therapeutic scalp massages are. But did you know these relaxing massages are an excellent way to protect hair? Regular scalp massages can boost blood flow to the hair follicles, thus improving the health and condition of your scalp. You can give yourself a scalp massage by using your fingertips to apply pressure in circular patterns for a few minutes. You can also gently massage your scalp while shampooing your hair.
Do you want to learn more tips to protect your hair? To start your journey to healthier, luscious and strong hair, schedule a consultation with me here.