Are you unhappy with your hair? Do you wonder what happened to it, why is it dry?, why does it break? why is it too flat, or too frizzy? Have you kind of randomly tried some hair shampoos and played around with some conditioner, but it doesn't do you good. Have you ever though that hair product commercials are projecting false images of how your hair would look like after you use this, or that?
Let me tell you gorgeous, the answer lies in understanding what your hair is, how it reacts, how it looks like, and how to handle it.
I have made an extensive research, and tested successfully everything I am writing about. this actually came as a request from Naida Mohamed. Am sorry for the late response. I really hope you all find this helpful, and that I would contribute a little bit more to managing your beautiful locks :D
Hair facts:
An average person has about 100,000 hairs on their scalp. Redheads have 90,000 while blonds have 140,000, and brunettes fall in between.
Each hair shaft has three layers, two inner layers protected by the cuticle (outside layer). Each hair grows an average of 9 inches a year.
An average person has about 100,000 hairs on their scalp. Redheads have 90,000 while blonds have 140,000, and brunettes fall in between.
Each hair shaft has three layers, two inner layers protected by the cuticle (outside layer). Each hair grows an average of 9 inches a year.
Hair growth actually differs in the summer times from the winter times. Hair growth increases during the summer by 10% because warm weather facilitates blood circulation, which nourishes hair cells. In cold weather, blood is needed for warming internal organs and less is circulated to the skin.Most people shed 50-100 hairs a day :S this is kind of scary for me.
Definition:
Hair porosity, Is the ability for hair to be able to absorb and retain moisture.
How does my hair look like??!!
Under a microscope, A hair cuticle is similar in appearance to shingles on a roof. When the hair is in good condition and has good porosity the cuticle layers (tiles) are tight together and have a perfect shape, But when hair is in bad condition or has poor porosity, the cuticle layers are lifted and they become damaged and broken. Thus hair looks dry and lifeless.
Where is my shinny hair!!? HELP
When the cuticle layers are in good health, (the hair has a smooth appearance) the layers of the cuticle are so tightly knit together that the light is able to reflect off the cuticle. This is what makes the hair shine!
When the cuticle layers are not tight together, the hair will feel coarse and brittle. The hair will then absorb the light and not reflect. This will give a surface appearance of dull and lifeless hair.
How should I treat my hair then?
First of all, I can’t stress enough how important this is, but please; Treat your hair very gently when it's wet, because then It's at it most fragile condition.
Do NOT brush it or comb it vigorously when it's wet. It is way easier to detangle it when it's dry anyways :)
Second, Wet hair stretches, again that makes it vulnerable to breakage and cuticle damage. So if you have dry hair it’s a good idea to wash it 2-3 times weekly. It’s very exhausting for your hair to get stripped away from its moisture and natural oils every day. One of the reasons why Indian girls have pretty long, smooth, shinny, amazing hair is because they wash their hair rarely and apply loads of oils. Am not saying you should do this, but do the math and find out what's suitable for your hair and your lifestyle.
Third, Regular haircuts help your hair grow longer & prevents split ends. Always remember that your hair ends are very old (age wise I mean). So maintain them properly for your hair to look healthy and shinny
Forth, Brittle hair can be improved by avoiding the use of shampoos that contain alkaline or alcohol. So look through the ingredients of your shampoo before you buy it. Do a little research bout what goes into the products you use. Educate yourself. Try and avoid products that contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, or SLS, propylene glycol, mineral oil or dimethicone.
Fifth, PLEASE DO NOT OVER STYLE YOUR HAIR. Always use heat protective products before applying any heat source. Use protective serums or sprays. There are lots of brands, to use on wet and dry hair. These will also protect your hair from the Sun's UV rays, which also contribute to dry & damaged hair.
Finally, Using a conditioner containing moisturizing ingredients such as provitamin B5, panthenol, keratin, sea kelp and coconut oil can help reduce dryness and breakage in the hair shaft. Adding moisture back into the hair shaft is essential to maintaining the moisture and lustre in the hair.
Here are some easy home made DIY dry hair remedies:
Milk and Honey
When the cuticle layers are in good health, (the hair has a smooth appearance) the layers of the cuticle are so tightly knit together that the light is able to reflect off the cuticle. This is what makes the hair shine!
When the cuticle layers are not tight together, the hair will feel coarse and brittle. The hair will then absorb the light and not reflect. This will give a surface appearance of dull and lifeless hair.
How should I treat my hair then?
First of all, I can’t stress enough how important this is, but please; Treat your hair very gently when it's wet, because then It's at it most fragile condition.
Do NOT brush it or comb it vigorously when it's wet. It is way easier to detangle it when it's dry anyways :)
Second, Wet hair stretches, again that makes it vulnerable to breakage and cuticle damage. So if you have dry hair it’s a good idea to wash it 2-3 times weekly. It’s very exhausting for your hair to get stripped away from its moisture and natural oils every day. One of the reasons why Indian girls have pretty long, smooth, shinny, amazing hair is because they wash their hair rarely and apply loads of oils. Am not saying you should do this, but do the math and find out what's suitable for your hair and your lifestyle.
Third, Regular haircuts help your hair grow longer & prevents split ends. Always remember that your hair ends are very old (age wise I mean). So maintain them properly for your hair to look healthy and shinny
Forth, Brittle hair can be improved by avoiding the use of shampoos that contain alkaline or alcohol. So look through the ingredients of your shampoo before you buy it. Do a little research bout what goes into the products you use. Educate yourself. Try and avoid products that contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, or SLS, propylene glycol, mineral oil or dimethicone.
Fifth, PLEASE DO NOT OVER STYLE YOUR HAIR. Always use heat protective products before applying any heat source. Use protective serums or sprays. There are lots of brands, to use on wet and dry hair. These will also protect your hair from the Sun's UV rays, which also contribute to dry & damaged hair.
Finally, Using a conditioner containing moisturizing ingredients such as provitamin B5, panthenol, keratin, sea kelp and coconut oil can help reduce dryness and breakage in the hair shaft. Adding moisture back into the hair shaft is essential to maintaining the moisture and lustre in the hair.
Here are some easy home made DIY dry hair remedies:
Milk and Honey
Warm 2 cups of whole milk with 1 teaspoon honey. Pour the mixture on to dry hair and let it sit for 15 minutes. Shampoo and rinse as usual.
Coconut or Olive Oil
Rub a little oil into your scalp. Cover with a cap and leave in overnight. In the morning, shampoo and rinse as usual.
If you don't want to leave it over night or can't stand the greasy feeling, then after you cover it with a shower cap (or rap it with those clear film plastic wrappers you use in the kitchen) and then wrap a towel on top of it to lock the heat and make the hair absorb all the moisture of the oils. Leave for 30-40 minutes then shampoo and rinse as usual. (ONLY APPLY OILS TO YOUR SCALP AND NEVER TO THE WHOLE HAIR CUZ IT MIGHT ACTUALLY DRY IT)
Baking soda
If you don't want to leave it over night or can't stand the greasy feeling, then after you cover it with a shower cap (or rap it with those clear film plastic wrappers you use in the kitchen) and then wrap a towel on top of it to lock the heat and make the hair absorb all the moisture of the oils. Leave for 30-40 minutes then shampoo and rinse as usual. (ONLY APPLY OILS TO YOUR SCALP AND NEVER TO THE WHOLE HAIR CUZ IT MIGHT ACTUALLY DRY IT)
Baking soda
Product build-up is a major cause of dull hair and baking soda is great for removing build-up as well as washing away water impurities. Mix ¼ cup of water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda until you have a paste. When you’re in the shower, smooth the mixture onto wet hair and spread it through you curls using your fingers. Then rinse with cool water, shampoo & condition as you normally would. Don't do this more than twice monthly.
Avocado Goodness
Avocado Goodness
Combine a mashed avocado with a 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of honey to help condition your hair and keep your scalp healthy.
Strawberry cake :D
Strawberry cake :D
Combine strawberries with an egg and 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in your food processor for a good all-around natural hair mask
Here are some products I love using on my hair :D
I really like 3 Herbal Essences product range, they are
- Hello Hydration (very nourishing and softening)
- Beautiful ends (so wonderful to restore split ends, your hair will be harder to break)
- Ignite my colour (it keeps your gorgeous color safe, and even gives it a boost)
I also really love the Nature Infusion product range from Pantene. Specially the hair mask, is it such a great deal and for a cheap price :D It makes my hair so soft and shinny, it's a blessing :D
Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Curls range and the Beautifully straight range, they smells like the tastiest sorbies ever. Unfortunately, it only sells at the UK.
Another amazing and very affordable product range is the Lee Stafford Poker straight product range. Also sells in the UK, but it’s so worth buying and shipment. Worth the wait!! The hair mask works wonderfully as a deep conditioner. It smells like expensive perfumes, and the scent really lasts in your hair
There is also another very, extremely, amazingly good hair mask from L’Oreal Kerastase. Made out of keratin, only the BEST for your BEUTI-FULL hair ;) .This is by far the best I have ever used. I cannot describe enough how good it is. I once had short, dry, overly dyed, and overly styled, broken, & lifeless hair.
Am not even exaggerating here, but I have used this hair mask for a month every 2-3 days and my hair NEVER LOOKED ANY BETTER. You will not believe your eyes from the softness & the shine this gives to your hair. My hair looked so healthy and fluffy and manageable and everything I ever wanted my hair to be.
It’s more expensive than the others I mentioned, but it’s so worth every penny. I went to a wedding party, in the wedding tape, you could always spot me in the crowds from my shinny head!!!!
Here is a link so you can check it out
Notes:
- Do not use the same shampoo, conditioner, etc. for more than a month.
Always shift between products, after a while you hair actually build resistance against the product used. They then don’t become effective on your hair the way they were before. Have you used a product for long that u have loved at first but then shifted to another because it is not that good to your hair anymore?? Well, thats the reason why :D
- Use products from the same range.
When you use the same brand of shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, and serum, all together, this is best for your hair. These products are made to complement each other. They work best together.
- Always moisturize
Yes, moisturizing your hair is conditioning it. Always use a conditioner every time you wash your hair. Leave it on for 2-3 min and rinse. Give your head some cold water before you get out of the shower so it closes the hair cuticals, & locks moisture and shine. Have a deep conditioning hair mask once a week. Twice if you can :D
"Embrace your hair, love it, understand it, and most importantly, be kind to it. It's the crown on top of your head." I quote Me :D
I really, really hope that you'd find this useful. Let me know it you have any questions or comments.
Have amazing shine & softness,
1 comment:
I use oil for my dry hair, it usually helps!
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