Whether it is from colouring, straightening, blow drying, or simply the weather, everyone experiences damaged hair every once in a while. However, getting your hair back on track is easier than you think. Just follow our five tips before those split ends start to take over.
Provide “slip.”
Whether you’re styling your hair, or just sleeping on it, slip is the quality that keeps it from tangling and breaking. You can add slip to your hair when you’re styling it by using products that condition and provide shine, such as John Frieda Perfect Ends Sheer Mist or Style Revival Heat-Activated Styling Spray. Both of these products are meant to be used on wet hair just before applying heat, so they bring out the natural moisture that you get after shampooing and conditioning.
Give your hair a rest
As chic as blowouts and straightened styles look, they aren’t always good for your hair. You don’t have to put away your heated styling tools forever, but it may be a good idea to simply condition and air dry your hair at least once a week. This will give your strands time to restore themselves without the stress that extreme heat can cause. There are endless styles that can be applied to natural hair, such as braids, buns, and the very trendy “hair hat,” so don’t skimp on the chic factor just because you’re giving your hair a break.
Choose your curling irons and straighteners wisely.
When it comes to hair irons, the professional quality ones will always be better for your hair. These irons may cost more, but they are usually made of more hair-friendly parts, such as ceramic or tourmaline plates that release ions and add shine to your hair. Professional quality irons also protect against heat damage and won’t pull your hair, which are both good qualities to look for if you’re trying to restore damaged hair.
Shampoo less often.
Cleansing your scalp and hair is an absolute must, but it essentially strips your strands of their moisture, which can lead to damaged hair. You don’t need to wash your hair every day, so give it a resting phase between shampoos by waiting two or three days. And if you like the feeling of freshly shampooed hair, try washing on your “off” days by wetting your entire head and then massaging a bit of conditioner into the scalp. This will help gently remove dirt and excess oil
Never skip conditioning.
Conditioning your hair regularly is the single most important way to restore breakage, drying, and split ends. In addition to a daily conditioner that you use after shampooing, you should also have a deep conditioner that you apply once a week. When you condition your hair, remember to focus more on the mid-length of the hair as well as the ends; your scalp will already benefit from the natural oils it produces to keep your roots healthy.