Looking after you hair is not always easy...
Hormone changes, stress, illness will all show in your hair and scalp but may not be apparent for a few months following. It can take a long time to repair and sometimes hair never quite returns to its former glory. However we do have some control over this by giving the best care we can to help support healthier growth and condition.
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Firstly; we are what we eat - and drink! So balanced eating with plenty of fruit and vegetables and drinking plenty of water supports from within and is probably the most important thing we can do. Exercise and learning how to relax properly maybe by joining a class will help your overall health and well-being and in turn help your hair :)
Good general practice is to be gentle on your hair; when you towel dry after washing gently squeeze don't scrub! Comb gently through in small sections from bottom with wide tooth comb or better a shampoo brush.
Reduce the amount of times you wash hair with shampoo.
Conditioner-wash your hair (no shampoo) as hair doesn't always need it; surprisingly conditioners can contain cleansers too! Try every 4 -7 days shampooing and in between condition
wash or even water and massage as if you were using shampoo and rinse again with cool water.
Ideally keep regular 6-8 week haircuts so ends stay thick and less likely to split. Consider a shorter style no longer than chin level as the extra weight of longer hair can put delicate hair and follicles under strain.
Every day: Tip head down and gently brush through with a natural
bristle brush run fingers through to loosen any fallen hairs so they are not trapped in your hair.
Once a month: Use diluted organic apple cider
vinegar as nature's conditioner; its PH is balanced to skin and hair. This will also remove any build-up of product, grease or pollutants in your hair.
Use oils on your hair and scalp; great for a deep conditioning treatment and to use sparingly for controlling wayward locks or frizzes: Coconut oil, virgin, organic is best. This is great for so many uses! As a hair conditioning treatment, a skin moisturizer or to
remove make up and if you eat it it's the healthiest of oils and supposed to raise metabolism. Also try Sweet Almond, Moroccan and Argon oils.
Oil is a magic product for your hair and a little goes along way! Rub a couple of drops into your hands and distribute through the hair concentrating on the mid lengths and ends
and keeping away from the roots where oil is produced naturally. Use as a deep conditioning treatment once a month and rub liberally into the hair and scalp massage with a massage brush, cover with cling film or a shower cap and a warm towel and relax for an hour. Wash off with shampoo and see how amazing your tresses feel.
Your little ones will smile through hair brushing time with the help of a shampoo brush and detangling oil spray. and beards and their owners love some beard oil to soften and condition and help with itchy chins!
Aim to use sulphate free products or go for organic which will be sulphate free and great quality. To encourage great scalp health and hair growth; once a month use scalp exfoliating products which help to rid the scalp of clogging skin especially if you have over active sebaceous glands that produce greasy hair. These often contain salt but for compromised scalps look for gentler alternatives that include fruit enzymes. Homemade alternatives with sugar or salt crystals mixed with conditioner. Avoid sugar if your scalp tends to get irritated.
Leave in spray-on conditioners also can be really helpful to avoid greasy roots whilst protecting your ends. A salt spray can help build beachy waves. Texturizing sprays give volume and body. A light conditioner won't weigh down your hair or make it greasy. Finishing creams, serums and waxes are all useful for smoothing and shine whilst clay and putty products give texture to your style.
Shampoo massage brushes are great for wet hair, tangles and children's hair and
tangle teasing brushes are a must for curly and long hair. Ceramic spiral brushes give volume and hold the heat which takes the hard work out of blow drying. Sphere or ball brushes are great for body, smoothing, lifting, curling, without getting tangled in long curly hair!
Velcro self grip rollers are fab for giving great volume and curl without damaging the hair along with innovative twisting curlers that you pull your hair through to get spiral curls while you sleep...
Massaging and 'lifting' the scalp for a few minutes also tipping the head forwards all help to bring blood to the scalp and encourages good scalp and hair growth. Using a head massage prong is helpful too.
When drying your hair; aim to let it dry naturally, gently scrunching and pushing it into any waves your hair has. Alternatively twist sections whilst still wet and leave until dry and gently separate with fingers. This is better than using heat on wet hair and brushing at the same time as hair is very stretchy when wet and likely to break or damage. If you want a fuller look then when nearly dry, section hair with clips, use a big round brush and gentle heat from a hairdryer to lift and curl. For a smoother look let it dry naturally whilst gently
smoothing it down with your hands. When nearly dry; section hair with clips, use gentle heat blowing down in the direction of hair growth and your first and second fingers like straighteners smoothing all down the length of the hair sections. Only ever use the same heat as your hands can cope with. That way you
know you are keeping damage to a minimum after all hair is really like skin in its make
up. When tying up your hair use material covered bands and not too tight. Avoid tight plaiting and try a spiral band that's kinder on hair: If your hair gets very long and tangled at night; take sections, twist gently and secure lightly with socks then it will brush our easily or if you lightly use fingers you'll have beachy waves!
Colouring Hair: Think about leaving out chemical colour as natural alternatives can give fab results and also promote hair and scalp health.
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