We all want great hair. For many of us, our hair is a massive part of our identity, and we want the best hair we can get! But sometimes we hurt our hair more than we help it, even though we have good intentions!
Getting healthy hair might seem impossible after damaging it over and over again. But the good news is you can always start to make your hair healthy, and it’s not too late! Getting the healthiest hair of your life isn’t easy, but it isn’t impossible either! Getting your hair to its healthiest state takes time, but nothing fantastic happens overnight!
To help get your hair back on track and get the healthiest hair of your life, follow these simple steps!
We often think that our shampoo is all we need and that it is thoroughly cleaning our hair. Unfortunately, though, that’s not always the case.
When we put a product in our hair, no matter what it is, we are creating build-up. And while a regular shampoo can remove a lot of that build-up, it can’t remove it all! And the longer we wait to remove that build-up, the harder it is for our regular shampoo to clean our hair correctly.
To remove product build-up, use a clarifying shampoo! Clarifying shampoos are often called purifying or detoxing shampoo, but they all do the same thing. These shampoos are basically like your everyday shampoo but stronger, so it isn’t recommended you use one every day as it can strip your hair and remove the protective layer.
You will be shocked as to how soft and voluminous your hair can be once all that product build-up is removed! This product does wonders for swimmers, especially because it removes chlorine more effectively than other shampoos.
Use a purifying shampoo 1-2 times a week for best results, but remember to not over-do it!
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We sometimes forget that our scalp also creates dead skin cells and needs to be exfoliated, just like our face and bodies do.
By exfoliating your scalp, you are unclogging pores and moisturizing to help avoid dandruff or itchy scalp. Use a scalp scrub before you shampoo to help clarify and remove any excess build-up and rinse thoroughly and follow with shampoo. Just like exfoliating your face, keep this to a minimum and do this 2-3 times per week depending on your personal needs.
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Massaging your scalp is vital if you want your hair to grow faster!
Even though you can use this on wet or dry hair, this is a great tool to leave in your shower! Having a scalp massager promotes circulation in the scalp, which makes hair grow healthier and faster. This can also be used to help work shampoos or oils into the scalp for a better application!
As an added bonus it feels incredible, and it’s like a spa every time you shower!
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You can tell when your hair is looking a little thirsty. When your hair is dehydrated, it will often get frizzy, and it is more susceptible to damage.
To help avoid dehydrated and dull-looking hair, consider using a hair mask! One of the best hair masks on the market right now is the Dailey Scalp and Hair Mask by Kristin Ess. Kristen Ess is an incredible hairstylist who knows how to get the healthiest hair and keep it that way! And lucky for us, she has a whole collection available at Target.
This specific mask is fantastic because it is lightweight enough to be used every day and doesn’t leave hair weighed-down or oily. It also contains minerals that help to rebalance the scalp and smooth and repair damaged hair cuticles.
These products also contain “zip-up” technology that is designed to target weak areas on the hair and will help protect your hair from environmental elements.
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If your hair is looking and feeling extra thirsty, leave-in conditioner is your new best friend!
Leave-in conditioner will add extra moisture to damaged strands and will help prevent future breakage and damage. Leave-in conditioner can also act as a detangler and help prevent breakage while you brush your hair.
Leave-in conditioner is meant to add in some moisture you might have lost while shampooing and rinsing your hair. In the long run, leave-in conditioner will make your hair smoother, more hydrated, softer, and shinier, giving you the healthiest hair you can image!
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But even with all these steps, sometimes our hair just comes out a frizzy mess. When our hair looks frizzy, sometimes we just stop caring and aren’t the kind to our strands. For those days, when you feel like giving up on those locks, give it a little TLC with some hair oil.
I personally have seen a considerable difference when I use hair oil and sometimes will use one in place of a leave-in conditioner. My personal favorite is the Coconut Oil Hydrating Mist by OGX. Not only does this smell like a tropical vacation, but it is very affordable and easy to find at any drugstore. I will often use this when my hair is wet and will brush it through the middle of my hair through to the ends. When my hair is dry, it looks incredibly healthy and is incredibly soft! I often credit this to my pre-chopped locks that earned me the nickname “Rapunzel”!
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You might not have realized this, but just because your hair doesn’t get a sunburn doesn’t mean it doesn’t get damaged!
Exposing your hair to sunlight can create a different type of “burn” that will damage the hair cuticle and lead to dry and brittle hair, discoloration, split-ends and breakage, and eventual frizziness. Of course, no one ever really talks about the effects UV rays can have on our hair, but it does happen, and you can prevent it!
To help protect your strands and give your hair a fighting chance, invest in a “hair sunscreen.” These “sunscreens” are often called UV barriers or protectants. They are different from thermal protectants as those only protect against heat products such as blowdryers or flatirons, so make sure to check for that UVA or UVB label!
This UV barrier from Rahua is excellent because not only does it create a protective barrier from those harsh rays, but it also acts as a hydrating detangler! By having a UV protectant that doubles as a detangler, you will be more likely to forget to use it as you can apply it after a shower to help prevent breakage from brushing!
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You’ve probably heard that using hot tools are the number one way (and the quickest way) to damage your hair. Applying direct heat to the hair at high temperatures can damage the hair shaft… which is where the term “frying your hair” comes from — you are essentially burning your hair.
Heat damage is one of the most common ways to damage the hair because it can happen within seconds, and it is hard to come back from. Once the hair is dead, you can’t bring it back! But if you must use heat, use a thermal protectant!
Thermal protectants are designed to form a protective barrier around the hair shaft to prevent any damage. Of course, a heat protectant can only do so much, so don’t count on it to work miracles! Avoid using heat whenever you can and look for alternatives to heat tools!
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It might sound a little ridiculous and boujee, but silk pillowcases can actually be a total miracle-worker!
Sleeping on a silk pillowcase has tons of benefits, one of those being very beneficial for your hair! Whether you sleep like the dead or toss-and-turn, there will always be friction that can cause damage to your hair.
When friction is applied to the hair, the damage is inevitable, and that includes split-ends! A regular pillowcase can also suck up all the moisture in your hair, leaving it dry and brittle. So while you can take excellent care of your hair, it can all be ruined by your pillowcase. It is a tragedy, but it is a tragedy that, luckily, can be avoided.
While it may be an investment, owning silk pillowcases can help give you the healthiest hair you’ve ever had!
But wait, there’s more!
There are so many things that can help give you the healthiest hair of your life, but they all really come down to R & R: Rest and Recreation. So if you’re still craving more tips, here are a few to keep in mind!
Stop With The Tight ‘Dos!
Traction alopecia is a very real thing that can and will happen if you continuously pull your hair back in tight hairstyles! Traction alopecia is a hair condition that involves hair loss after your hair is being pulled over and over again.
This can happen from wearing your hair too tight in a ponytail, braids, or buns. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it is reversible, but it’s not something anyone wants to go through.
To avoid this, don’t wear tight hairstyles or find ones that don’t put so much tension on the scalp and hair. Instead, let your hair be loose when you can!
Get Regular Trims
It can be hard to get a trim when all you want is long hair. But it’s true when they say trims make your hair grow faster… sort of.
Getting regular trims will eliminate any split ends you’ve cumulated which will create breakage further up the hair shaft over time. When those split ends travel up, your hair will begin to break, and you will have to get more significant cuts the longer you wait in between trims!
Try to get a trim every 3 months if it’s financially possible or at least twice a year!
Use a Comb, Not a Brush
Combs is a much gentler option that won’t cause breakage, especially when the hair is wet! Avoid using brushes when you can and opt for a wide-tooth comb instead!
Don’t Brush Your Hair When It’s Wet
When you get out of the shower, and your hair is wet, your hair is more fragile and weaker, thus being more susceptible to damage. If you’re totally against combs, don’t brush your hair until it is mostly dry! When the hair is wet, it will stretch and break much easier!
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