As winter comes to a close, you may notice your hair seems a little more dull and lifeless in the sun this year. Besides the general dryness we all experience in the colder months, there are a few bad habits we are all guilty of that cause hair to lose some of its beauty. This guide gives you a few of the biggest do’s and don’ts of maintaining healthy hair and scalp and will help you be on your way to beautiful, healthy, summer hair.
DO: Watch out for damaging ingredients
Many shampoos and conditioners boast ‘strengthening’ and ‘thickening’ on their labels but contain ingredients that will damage your locks. Keep an eye on labels before heading to the checkout line; there are a few red flags to look out for before buying a product. ‘Fragrances’ of any kind are not good for the hair. They clog the lymphatic system, inducing major toxicity to the organ systems, and have been known to cause a slew of other health problems such as asthma, headaches, and damage to the central nervous system. ‘Parabens’ are another group of chemicals that are very dangerous. Parabens have been linked to reproductive damage and cancer. Another ingredient to watch out for is ‘silicones’. Silicone is used in many hair care products because they give hair a slippery, smooth texture that cuts down on frizz and tangles. Though this sounds appealing, the shine is actually not from a healthy strand of hair but from coating the hair with a layer of silicone that will break down over subsequent days leaving hair frail and prone to damage. Using high-quality, organic shampoos and conditioners is a way to confidently avoid these harmful chemicals and treat your hair well. CherylLeeMD TrueCider Shampoo & Conditioner contain none of these harmful ingredients and are formulated specifically to moisturize the scalp while creating a gorgeous shine.
DON’T: Over-wash!
You can always tell when your hair is in need of a shampoo. The body creates natural oils to keep hair silky and shiny. Washing your hair too often strips the hair of these oils. That being said, we all have different hair types and grease and oils are produced at different rates. Combing your hair every day with a dense, thick-toothed comb will help distribute the natural oils from the scalp—where they are produced—through the rest of your hair. Another option to extend the life of your hair is to invest in a good dry shampoo. If you tend to wake up with a serious case of bed head, running your hair under cold water and styling is a good way to avoid shampooing too much and still achieving a “put-together” look.
DO: Use treatments & hair masks
There are so many treatments and masks out there it is difficult to decide what to buy and how much to spend on it. Though there are many amazing products out there, we still believe that creating your own hair treatments provides you with the best results. You can tailor your hair mask to do exactly what you need it to and because you chose the ingredients, you can be confident when leaving it on for an extended period of time. Below are a few key ingredients and their benefits to the hair and scalp; Mix and match to create your perfect mask!
- Almond Oil:
o promotes healthy hair growth
o creates shiny, sleek hair
o strengthens strands
o repairs and prevents split ends
- Coconut Oil:
o Eliminates dry frizzy hair
o Restores shine
o Remedy to prevent dandruff and scalp buildup
o Faster hair growth
- Jojoba Oil
o Treats dry itchy scalp
o Stimulates hair growth
o Moisturizes hair and scalp
- Peppermint Oil
o Anti-fungal (cures chronic dandruff)
o Moisturizes scalp and hair
o Aids in hair growth
Whatever amazing creation you come up with, make sure you are not applying it to soaking wet hair. Hair is similar to a sponge in that it can and will absorb and hold moisture whenever it can. When the hair is soaking wet, it is already saturated with water and will not be able to pull in the beneficial ingredients of the mask. Instead, after shampooing the hair, wrap your tresses in a towel for a few minutes and then apply the mask. You can leave the mask on as short or as long as you want, but most should be allowed to absorb for about an hour before rinsing out.
DON’T: Overuse appliances
With a busy schedule it is hard to avoid using hot tools to style your locks but if you have the time, try to let your hair air dry. Blow dryers tend to dry out your hair, cause a rough texture, and fade the color on treated hair. If you are using a hair dryer, make sure to keep it at least 3-4 inches away from the hair and constantly move it along the hair; never let it rest in one spot. Investing in a high quality hair dryer is another way to be sure that you are causing the least amount of damage to your locks. Flat irons and curling irons are tempting as well; they create a sleek, shiny look that can sometimes last for a couple of days. That being said, overuse of these hot tools can lead to major damage and irreversible breakage of the hair. Be sure to use a heat protectant product before applying heat and to never use the tools until your hair is completely dry.