Tips to Keep Your Hair Looking and Feeling Healthy
Nobody likes a bad hair day and unfortunately when your locks feel dry and damaged, they seem to occur more often than not. If your hair is brittle and lacks its typical shine, you’ll have to implement an intensive damage control plan to bring your hair back to life.
Maintaining your hair’s health isn’t difficult. It’s simply a matter of following a regimen that suits your hair. Read on for our top tips on how to develop the best hair habits for dreamy tresses.
Eat the Right Foods
Just like your body functions better when you eat well, so does your hair. The roots soak in the nutrients you eat and use them to stimulate better hair growth and strengthen each strand. As hair is primarily made up of proteins, a protein-rich diet is key to hair growth while Omega 3 Fatty acids make sure your hair maintains its shine. Include foods like salmon in your diet for both. Eggs and beans are great sources of protein too. Leafy vegetables like spinach are great sources of iron, another nutrient your hair loves.
Protect Your Hair From the Sun
An often-overlooked hair stressor is the sun. The UVA and UVB rays from the sun can dry your hair out and lead to bleaching. Sun damaged hair is prone to frizz while prolonged exposure to the sun can turn it brittle. Use hair products with SPF if you are going to be out and about or cover up with a scarf. You can read about how to protect your hair from the sun in this article.
Sleep On Silk
Friction is damaging, roughing up your hair cuticles leading to breakage, split ends, and frizz. While your high thread count cotton pillowcases may feel soft, silk pillowcases are the ones you really need. Silk strands have a smooth structure simply lets your hair glide against them as you sleep. Additionally, silk is less moisture absorbent than cotton and other fabrics. This means that a silk pillowcase allows your hair to retain its moisture.
The luxurious feeling that silk gives is simply a bonus!
Pick the Right Products
There is a wide array of haircare products out there each meant for a particular hair type or to solve a particular issue. These specialized products can make a huge difference to how your hair looks and feels. Choose shampoos and conditioners that are designed for your hair type. Picking reputable brands like Unite, Davines, and Moroccanoil ensures that your haircare products actually do what they say.
If you aren’t sure about your hair type, speak to your hairdresser and ask them to explain what you products and care your hair needs.
Use a Hair Mask
Every other blog we have talks about using a hair mask, and we’ll continue to do so simply because of how important it is for your hair. In fact, we think one day a week should be deemed world hair mask day where you get to go home early to look after your tresses. So, use a hair mask once a week. The deep conditioning it provides will keep your hair happy throughout the week.
Brush Your Hair with Care
How to brush your hair is a topic that just isn’t discussed enough. Always brush your hair when it’s dry – unless you’re following the CGM method which is a completely different topic on its own. Start by brushing out the tangles at the bottom before working your way up. Be gentle and use your hand to hold a portion of your hair as you brush below it to avoid pulling on the roots. Try loosening particularly gritty tangles with your fingers first instead of a brush.
Your stylist will be able to guide you on the best type of brush for your hair type.
Get a Hair Cut
One of the nicest things you can do for your hair is to give it a haircut. Regular haircuts prevent damage that starts at the bottom like split ends for example. It also prevents hair from tangling and breakage due to damage. Get a trim every six to eight weeks, even if you are trying to grow your hair out. Keeping it healthy is the best way to make sure it reaches the lengths you want it to.
The Ivy Hair and Extension Lounge has stylists who can help you make the right choices for your hair
Browse our services and get in touch to book an appointment today.