Ditch the Shampoo – If you look at the label on popular drugstore shampoos, the most common ingredient is sodium lauryl sulfate, an ingredient also present in your household detergent. The many surfactants in shampoo, which are substances that reduce surface tension when added to liquid (bubbles), cause your hair to be stripped of natural oils and this leads to the roots being oily, while the rest is dry and frizzy. Your scalp only gets worse the more you shampoo, as it overproduces oil to try and balance itself, eventually leading to dandruff and breakage. According to alternative medicine proponent Dr. Mercola, there is really no need to shampoo your hair everyday and if you find your hair to be too oily, it is probably due to your shampoo. The No-Poo method, which focuses on taking the “poo” out of your hair routine, is where you wash your hair only with conditioner or other natural cleansers that don’t contain surfactants or toxic chemicals. Your hair might seem oily for a while and you might find this questionable but after your hair adjusts you’ll find it’s not as oily as it used to be and requires less washing. The health of your hair dramatically changes and becomes smoother, naturally moisturized, more manageable and basically awesome. If you feel like you absolutely can’t attempt this, at least be on the lookout for sulfate free shampoos as they are much gentler on hair, especially if it is color treated. During your No-Poo adventure, look into a dry shampoo which helps make your hair look refreshed and less oily without washing.
Go Cruelty Free – If a product needed to be tested on some animal’s eyeball, you know it has some questionable chemicals you don’t need. Not giving your money to these companies also shows you take a stand at this unethical practice.
Wet Hair Requires Special Care – Finger brushing is a must for wet hair but you can also opt for a wide tooth comb. Using a regular brush can cause breakage as hair is more susceptible to getting stuck. Always pat hair dry instead of rubbing and it’s best to use a t-shirt or something similar to dry hair to avoid frizz and tangles. For curly hair it’s best to simply air dry; the more you play with your hair the frizzier it will be and curls won’t set properly. When dealing with tangles or especially unruly hair, always work from the bottom up to prevent breakage and don’t be shy with conditioning spray.
Cut it Off – Despite what Head and Shoulders claims, the only way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off. Split ends will further travel up the strand and cause hair to look thin and cause breakage. Trimming your hair won’t make it grow faster but will help split ends from forming. When to trim your hair? It all depends on your hair, despite what hair stylists tell you. If your ends are looking frazzled, that’s a good indicator for a new cut. When going to bed be sure to braid your hair or wrap it up, tossing and turning can cause tangles to arise in the morning and this is also a great way to prevent bed head.
What Products? – Keep product use to a minimum to prevent buildup. Don’t believe in fad pills or sketchy products; nothing will truly make your hair grow faster apart from a good diet and taking good care of yourself. However, something natural to consider is Biotin. Authority Nutrition states it’s an effective vitamin to help grow hair and strengthen nails. Coconut oil is a great moisturizer for your entire body and adding a few drops to the ends of your hair can prevent split ends and keep your hair shiny and soft. If your hair is extremely damaged from coloring and heat, do an olive oil, coconut or avocado oil mask at least once a week to restore hair over time. It’s best to slather on your mask recipe and leave it on overnight with a hair wrap for best results.
Styling and Coloring – Educate yourself on how coloring your hair works and know that boxed dye will not always come out the way you expect. Light colors work best on those with already light hair. Do not let your friends bleach your hair unless they’re hair professionals. Bleaching causes extreme damage and, if left on too long, will literally melt your hair off. Bleaching is different from regular boxed dye; just know you can’t go back once it’s done. It’s best to splurge and be happy with your hair rather than going the cheap route and messing up, only to end up paying extra to fix your mistake. Use heat products minimally and stick to special occasions. When working with heating tools, use a heat protectant; it will do its purpose, along with making your style last longer and looking better.
Hair and Face Shape – Get to know your face shape to get the best haircut. A simple change like adding layers or side bangs can accentuate your facial features. And lastly, don’t be afraid to show off your natural hair texture. Even if you aren’t happy with it, know that someone in the room wishes to have that with which you were naturally born.