Truth be told, our manes really get it bad. Not only do we take care of it half-heartedly, we occasionally apply heat and chemically treat our hair to make ourselves look good. But at the same time, our hair gets damaged if it isn’t fortified and healthy enough to withstand such distress, if we do not care for it the proper way. Hence, if you have damaged hair, here are 10 tips to help you take care of your locks!
1. Do not pile hair on top of head when washing
This is a really bad habit to practise, as it will increase damage to your hair by encouraging split ends, tangles and frizz. Instead of putting all your hair on top of your head when leathering with shampoo, slowly finger comb through your hair with the foam. You’ll thank us later!
2. Don’t wash hair daily
Washing your hair daily can dry out your hair and scalp, thus, causing it further damage. Wash your hair two to three times a week, and if your hair gets a little greasy in between washes, use a dry shampoo to remove the oils and give your hair extra volume.
3. Let your hair air dry
Instead of blow-drying your hair, use a towel to squeeze out the excess water, comb through your damp hair with your fingers and let it slowly air dry. The heat from the hair dryer can aggravate your scalp and hair, causing it to break and dry out.
4. Sleep with your hair in a loose bun
When you toss and turn in your sleep, your pillowcase creates friction in your hair, causing it to tangle, frizz up and get even more damaged. Sleep with your hair tied up in a loose bun on top of your head to keep the hair from sliding and moving around while you sleep.
5. Use natural hair dyes
Instead of chemical-filled products, use natural or herbal dyeing agents to add colour to your hair. For instance, henna is derived from a plant and is extremely safe to be used on your hair.
6. Get protein treatments
Protein treatments help to treat damaged hair by filling in the broken cuticles of each strand. Go to your regular salon and get advice from your hair stylist. He or she should be able to choose a protein treatment for you, depending on your hair type and how damaged your hair is. If you’re doing it at home, follow up with a moisturising conditioner as some protein treatments can stiffen the hair.
7. Get haircuts regularly
If your hair is damaged, you should get a trim regularly, at least every eight weeks. When you get a trim, your hair will become less brittle and it will start growing out strong again once the unhealthy ends are gone.
8. Avoid using heating tools
Similar to the hair dryer, you should steer clear of hair curling tongs and straightening irons to style your hair. There are plenty of tutorials online and we suggest that you learn ways to style your hair without any heat involved.
9. Protect your hair from the sun
Like your skin, your hair needs to be shielded from the sun. Keep your hair moisturised by carrying a travel-sized bottle of leave-in conditioner with you. Additionally, if you can’t get a hair protecting spray with SPF in it, mix three tablespoons of sunblock with water and put it in a spray bottle. Whenever you’re heading out in the sun, spritz some on your hair and rub it in.
10. Use nutritional oils
Argan oil, coconut oil, macadamia oil and olive oil are extremely beneficial for the hair as these oils contain vitamins and minerals to strengthen and repair each strand of hair from within. You can either apply a few drops of the oil on your hair directly, or mix a few drops of the oil with your conditioner when you’re washing your hair.
