It's been cold outside and that means we're turning up the heat to stay cozy and warm. Since both of these can have adverse effects on your hair, here are three things you can do at home to combat that dreaded dryness.
Moisturize Both Inside and Out
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! I'm sure we all could drink more water but drinking water alone doesn't always do the trick. It helps to infuse your water with fruits like fresh cucumber and key lime, or a pinch of salt. I love adding Next Hydration to my water, especially after hitting the gym or while on the go. It contains a variety of vitamins and prebiotics which are all great for the hair, skin, and body. Whatever method you choose to combat your dehydration just be consistent; your hair will thank you.
Always Deep Condition
Not all conditioning treatments are created equal and if your hair is thirsty, sitting with conditioner on your hair for 5 minutes just won't do the trick. I know we are all busy and short on time, so if you don't have the time or budget right now to visit the hair salon, I'd suggest investing in a high-quality deep conditioning cap. Conditioning caps act as a "sauna" for your hair by using the heat from your scalp to open the hair cuticle allowing the conditioner to penetrate the hair shaft. Conditioning caps are a great way to deep condition your hair while doing tasks like folding laundry, unloading the dishwasher, or taking a 20-minute walk on your treadmill while catching up on your favorite show. You can find my go-to deep conditioning cap here.
Curling or Flat Ironing Unclean Hair
You just shampooed your hair last week so it should still be clean, right? Nope, and here's why... you've gone to the gym, Pilates, or your Zumba class... you've been outside running errands all day... you cleaned up around the house and tackled a few dust bunnies that were hiding in the corner... or maybe you didn't do any of that, but you were applying products to your hair all week... and that creates build up. Applying heat to hair that hasn't been freshly shampooed and conditioned can cause breakage and split ends, as the heat may burn the hair due to the accumulation of sweat, dust, dirt, and styling products.
To avoid this, aim to shampoo your hair weekly or bi-weekly, and only use heat during initial styling or no more than 2-3 days after. To avoid applying heat directly to hair throughout the week, opt for hair rollers like flexi rods, silk lined rollers, or pin curls and sleep on a silk scarf and/or pillowcase to retain moisture within your hair and skin.
If you enjoyed these tips and are interested in more posts like this, please like and comment to share what you found most helpful. Remember, sharing is caring, so feel free to pass this on to a friend or loved one who might find these tips useful. Here's to growing happy, healthy hair!
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