Stress, a poor environment, junk food, coloring, frequent styling, and waving (or straightening) your hair all contribute to the deterioration of the condition of your curls. To keep them healthy and shiny, it's important to remember the basics: different hair needs different care. In this article, we will analyze the characteristics of caring for all hair types, discuss the types of cosmetics for this purpose, examine common mistakes, and give tips on daily and seasonal care.
Regardless of your hair type (which we will discuss later), there are several universal hair care rules that relate to shampooing, combing, choosing the right accessories, blow-drying, cutting, styling, hair care, and quality of nutrition.
General rules for hair care
1. Wash your hair on a regular basis.This is very obvious, but many people wash their hair too often or too rarely. The frequency of washing should be the same; set it according to your hair type.
2. Thoroughly comb your hair.You should comb your hair not only in the morning but also several times during the day, as well as before washing your hair. Start with the ends, carefully and without sudden movements.
3. Select the appropriate combs and hair elastics.They should not hurt or tear your curls.
4. Do not wash your hair with extremely cold or hot water. It's just hot water at the optimal temperature of 36-37 degrees. After washing, you can rinse your head with cold (but not ice cold!) water.
5. While washing, gently massage your head.This improves blood circulation.
6. Do not wrap your hair in a towel after washing. The turban disturbs the blood circulation of the scalp and does not allow it to "breathe".
7. Do not brush wet hair. This causes it to tear and become brittle.
8. If possible, let the waves dry naturally. Minimize the use of a hair dryer as hot air is bad for hair.
9. Don't neglect skin care products. And pay attention to the steps: first shampoo, then conditioner, then a mask or serum (not after every shampoo, but as needed), which nourishes the hair and restores its structure. Important: If you have oily hair, apply the product to ¾ of the length, avoiding contact with the hair roots.
10. Eliminate the use of dry shampoo entirely. Dry shampoo for hair is like makeup remover wipes for the face, meaning it should only be used as a last resort, such as if you've overslept and have an important meeting today.
11: Make use of a professional hair dryer.Saving money on a blow dryer means saving money on the health of your hair. Don't skimp on a professional hair dryer: it's designed not to dry out your hair, and it also has an ionization system and multiple air settings. To create volume, flip your hair from side to side and blow dry upside down.
12. Minimize the use of styling products. Gels, polishes, and mousses are all necessary to create a festive look, but they shouldn't be used in everyday life. It is recommended that all styling products be washed off on the same day as makeup.
13. Reduce hair exposure to chemicals as much as possible. Perming, microwaving, and similar processes are very harmful to the hair, so it is not advisable to regularly lighten, streak, and dye the hair.
14. Cut the ends regularly. This will improve your hair, give it room to grow, and give it a nice look and shine. Curls will loosen and tangle less.
15. Make an effort to eat healthily. Hair, like skin, nails, eyelashes, etc., needs a complex of vitamins and minerals for its health. Try to eat more foods with vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins E and C.
Types of hair care products
Shampoo is the king of hair care products. Its purpose is simple: to purify. Shampoos for different hair types differ in their composition, but they have the same function.
Conditioner (rinse balm): facilitates styling, reduces electrification, gives elasticity and shine.
Mask: a treatment to restore hair structure and give it softness and shine. to be used no more than twice a week, applied to clean, damp hair for 10 to 20 minutes.
Serum (fluid): a product with a high concentration of nutrients that hydrates and restores curls.
Oils: usually found in shampoos, but can also be used neat. Burdock, olive, and castor oils are particularly effective.
Scrubs: for scalp care that removes dead skin particles and promotes hair growth and dandruff removal.
Seasonal hair care
Warm season
Surprisingly, hair needs protection from the sun just like skin. Few people dare go to the beach without sunscreen, but many are unaware of hair protection. The mechanism of the sun's effect on curls is as follows: UV rays penetrate the hair structure and damage the cells, causing premature aging and making curls dry and brittle. Hair protection products against the sun can be divided into two categories: protection here and now and aftercare. Protective hair sprays are applied with an SPF cream to protect hair from the sun and reduce the effects of chlorinated water and sea water. Special shampoos also help eliminate the negative effects of the pool, sea, and beach. They remove sea salt and bleach from the hair and scalp while moisturizing and nourishing.
Cold season
Rainy autumn, cold winter, and spring, which only exist in the calendar (but not in reality), are difficult times for your hair. The body lacks vitamins and fluids, and curls deteriorate due to cold weather, precipitation, temperature changes (cold air outside and warm air in vehicles and rooms) and hats, which on the one hand protect from the cold, but on the other hand stimulate the sebaceous glands of the scalp, promote static electricity and interfere with blood circulation if the head is too tight. Here are some tips to keep your hair healthy during the cold season:
Follow the rules of care for your hair type carefully. This is especially important during the cold season.
- Never go out with wet hair, as freezing your hair will simply break it.
- Moisturize and nourish your curls with masks and serums.
- Choose headwear made of natural materials, such as a silk scarf or cashmere hat.
- Trim ends regularly, as they are especially split during the cold season.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Don't wash your hair in hot water, despite the temptation to "warm up" your head.
Hair care while styling
Our hair retains the shape in which it is set. This is the principle of curling irons and tongs, which turn curls into straight hair or, conversely, curls into curls. However, styling is a rather traumatic process for the hair, resulting in dryness, split ends, loss of shine and breakage. To reduce the negative effects of exposure to high temperatures and styling products, you should use heat protection. Don't stay in one place for too long. Remember, under-exposure is better than over-exposure. Also, use styling tools with ceramic surfaces, they are gentler. Finally, spray styling products from a safe distance, about 20-30 cm, to prevent your curls from becoming heavy and sticky.