Hair damage can occur due to various things starting from the temperature of the water when shampooing to environmental conditions. Apart from being brittle and rough, damaged hair is usually more difficult to style. To keep your hair healthy and shiny, follow these tips, such as choosing the right hair care products, washing your hair regularly, and protecting your hair from environmental damage.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Washing Hair
Step 1. Don't use shampoo every day
When shampooing, use shampoo 2-3 times a day, instead of every day. If you wash your hair too often with shampoo, the natural hair oils that are beneficial for maintaining healthy hair will dissolve when exposed to shampoo and water. The loss of natural oils makes the hair brittle and the scalp produces more oil, making the hair look very oily.
- If your hair needs to be cleaned, use a dry shampoo before it's time to shampoo your hair.
- By reducing the frequency of use of shampoo, hair hygiene lasts longer after washing.
Step 2. Use a sulfate and silicone-free shampoo
Many shampoos are manufactured using chemicals, such as sulfates, that cause hair damage. Other materials, such as silicone, clog the pores of the scalp so that the hair becomes dry. Therefore, choose a shampoo that is produced from natural ingredients to keep your hair healthy.
- Usually, you will need to try several products to find the right shampoo. Switch to another product if the shampoo you use makes your hair look thin or dull.
- Choose a shampoo according to your hair type. If needed, find out which shampoo is best for you by asking your hair stylist.
Step 3. Use shampoo as needed
Shampoo serves to clean hair from dust and oil that has accumulated. To get the best use of the shampoo, wet your hair evenly and then pour an adequate amount of shampoo on the top of your head and scalp. Rub the shampoo with your fingers so that it lathers and spreads evenly on your hair. Do not rub too vigorously to avoid damaging the hair.
- You can use shampoo by pouring it onto your fingertips and then applying it to your scalp. Instead of vigorously rubbing your scalp, use your fingers to work the shampoo into your hair.
- Use an anti-dandruff shampoo if your hair is dandruff.
Step 4. Apply conditioner to the ends of your hair
When using conditioner, only the hair shaft needs to be applied to the conditioner. Do not leave the scalp exposed to conditioner because the hair will be oily and seem thin. Apply conditioner to the hair shaft with your fingers, let it soak for some time, then rinse thoroughly.
You don't need to use conditioner every time you wash your hair, especially if you have oily hair. Conditioner prevents split ends
Step 5. Use cool water when washing hair
Just like the effect of using a hot hair dryer, shampooing with hot water can damage the hair. Therefore, use warm or cool water when shampooing and rinsing hair.
Use cool water when rinsing shampoo and conditioner as hot water takes away the benefits of conditioner. In addition, cold water makes hair shinier
Step 6. Do hair treatment with moisturizing cream once a week
You don't need to use conditioner every time you wash your hair, but your hair is healthier if you treat it with a moisturizing cream once a week according to these instructions:
- Apply conditioner to the hair shaft evenly. Allow the conditioner to soak into your hair for 10-15 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
- After rinsing, wash as usual using shampoo and conditioner. When rinsing your hair after shampooing and using conditioner, gently stroke your hair with your hands to keep it soft. Do not scrub your hair vigorously to remove the conditioner.
- After rinsing, rinse hair with cold water to close the cuticle and make hair shiny again.
Step 7. Clean the hair brush regularly
In addition to washing your hair regularly, make it a habit to clean your hair brush regularly. The brush gets greasy too if your hair is oily so the oil sticks to your hair when you brush your hair.
Wash the brush with warm water and shampoo and let it dry on its own
Step 8. Let the hair dry by itself
After shampooing, do not dry your hair with a towel or hairdryer. If you rub or wrap wet hair in a towel, it will be tugged at by the threads and tangled. In addition, this method makes the ends of the hair split.
- Use a T-shirt or pillowcase to dry your hair as they are softer than towels so they don't damage your hair.
- To prevent frizz or damage, use a microfiber towel because the thread fibers are very soft.
Method 2 of 4: Using Hair Products and Brushes for Healthy Hair
Step 1. Determine your hair type
In order to buy the right products and give your hair the best possible care, find out your hair type taking into account the length, thickness, and texture of your hair.
You can do various ways to keep your hair beautiful regardless of your hair type and style, such as fine hair, thick hair, curly hair, or short hair
Step 2. Use Dry Shampoo if your hair looks oily
If your hair is starting to get oily, but you don't need to shampoo it yet, use a dry shampoo to keep your hair looking clean. Spray dry shampoo at the roots of the hair in a short spray while holding the can 25 cm away from the hair. Then, massage your scalp gently and then comb your hair when you're done massaging.
Step 3. Use herbal oils to moisturize hair
If your hair feels sticky after using chemical products, natural products make your hair shinier, but not greasy. If you want to treat your hair with herbal oil, apply tablespoon of herbal oil from the middle to the ends of your hair. Make sure your hair is clean. The oil keeps hair moisturized so it looks smooth and shiny.
Similarly, when choosing a shampoo and conditioner, you will need to try several different oils to find out what works best for your hair. Coconut, almond, avocado, moroccan, or castor oils are most commonly used for moisturizing hair
Step 4. Use herbal powder to nourish hair
There are several kinds of herbal powders that are useful for improving the condition of the hair by softening and nourishing the hair. To use herbal powder, sprinkle the powder on the scalp and hair and massage gently.
Herbal powders that are widely used are mustard seed powder, ginger, brahmi leaves, and amla
Step 5. Choose the right comb or brush for your hair type
When choosing a comb or brush, consider the type and condition of your hair.
- If your hair is long and thick, use a wide brush to keep it smooth and shiny.
- Nylon brushes are suitable for hair that is not too thick and can be used to detangle hair that is very tangled.
- The plastic brush is an all-in-one brush for all hair types, especially very thick hair.
- A fine toothed comb is suitable for short, thin hair.
- A wide-toothed comb is suitable for short, thick hair.
Step 6. Don't brush wet hair
Use a wide-toothed brush if you want to keep your hair from tangling, but wait until your hair is almost dry. Hair that is still wet will be damaged if brushed because the condition of the hair is very weak when wet.
Many people with curly hair never brush their hair. Don't brush your hair too often if you have curly hair that tangles easily
Step 7. Reduce the frequency of brushing your hair
Hair will look greasy if brushed too often. Therefore, you can simply brush your hair once in the morning and again at night.
If your hair is very tangled, use your fingers to run through the hair
Step 8. Use a hair tie that doesn't damage the hair
Hair ties can break hair and cause split ends. If you tie your hair often, choose a hair tie that doesn't break or tangle your hair. When you put your hair in a ponytail, tie your hair at the nape of your neck. Hair is easily damaged if pulled up and tied very tightly.
Method 3 of 4: Styling Your Hair Using Hot Tools Wisely
Step 1. Purchase a high-quality heater for styling your hair
While you should avoid hot tools when styling your hair, you may need them when you need to straighten, curl, or blow dry your hair. Cheap products can damage hair because they are made of low-quality materials. In addition, the temperature is not adjustable so you are forced to style your hair with very hot temperatures, even though you don't need it.
Step 2. Use a product to protect your hair from heat before styling your hair with a heating device
Make sure you use a hair protection product before styling your hair with a hot tool to avoid damaging your hair. Wait until the hair is half dry and then spray a protective product before styling your hair. Then, use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to spread the product evenly over your hair.
- To be on the safe side, dry your hair on medium or low heat.
- Do not use products that contain silicone before using a hair heater because silicone can soak into the hair and absorb moisture from the hair. Use a product, such as a curling serum, when you've finished styling your hair with a hot tool.
Step 3. Do not use the nozzle attached to the hairdryer
This tool circulates hot air to certain areas of the hair so that the risk of hair damage is higher. Point the hair dryer down so that it acts only as a nozzle.
Step 4. Do not use hot tools if your hair is damaged
Styling your hair with hot tools can make dry or damaged hair even more damaged. If your hair is damaged, avoid hot tools when styling your hair until it is in good condition again.
Step 5. Style your hair without heating
Instead of using a hot dryer, straightener, or curling iron every day, you can style your hair in a variety of interesting styles without using hot tools, such as ribbons, bobby pins, or headbands. In addition, apply the following tips.
- If you want soft, straight hair, use a round-headed brush to style your hair without a hot straightener. This brush keeps hair smooth and shiny.
- While your hair is still slightly damp, make a bun by curling your hair at the top of your head and holding it with bobby pins so it doesn't fall out (if needed). After about 1 hour, remove the bun so that the hair is flowing with natural and beautiful waves.
- Braid almost dry hair before going to bed at night. In the morning, remove the braid for natural wavy hair.
Method 4 of 4: Maintaining Healthy Hair
Step 1. Don't curl your hair
The habit of holding your hair makes your hair oilier because it is exposed to natural oils from your fingers. So that the condition of the hair is not more problematic, do not pull the hair or break the ends of the hair.
Step 2. Trim the ends of the hair regularly
If the ends of your hair often split, set aside time to maintain healthy hair, for example by cutting your hair every 3 months and trimming the ends slightly every 6 weeks.
If the hair damage is severe, it's a good idea to cut your hair long enough to make sure there's no more hair problems. This step may force you to have short hair
Step 3. Do not change hair color too often
Make sure you don't dye your hair too often, as hair dye contains very harsh chemicals, which can dry out and damage your hair.
If you want to dye your hair, wait until your hair grows a little longer
Step 4. Eat healthy foods
Apart from speeding up hair growth and restoration, you can prevent hair loss by eating the right foods. Hair will thin if nutritional needs are not met.
- Eat protein foods as needed because hair is made of protein. Make sure you meet your daily protein needs by eating meat, eggs, and high-protein foods that are needed by the body to lengthen and improve hair condition.
- Eat foods that contain omega 3 fatty acids and other essential fatty acids, such as fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel) and almonds.
- You also need to take vitamins B6 and B12 to maintain healthy hair.
Step 5. Drink plenty of water
Get used to drinking water to meet the body's fluid needs because hair must be hydrated to stay healthy. In addition to hydrating the skin and nails, this step makes the body healthier.
Step 6. Protect your hair from the harmful effects of the environment
Hair becomes dry if it is often exposed to pollution, vehicle fumes, and cigarette smoke. Do not expose your hair to cigarette smoke and avoid areas with very high pollution.
Step 7. Protect your hair from the sun
If your hair is often exposed to the sun, wear a hat or scarf while on the move. In addition to protecting the hair, this step prevents the skin from getting sunburned.
- If you don't like wearing a hat, use a product that protects your skin from the sun, such as a leave-in conditioner or water-resistant sunscreen.
- Do not use products that contain alcohol if you will be exposed to the sun because alcohol can damage your hair.
Step 8. Avoid chemicals that damage hair
Before swimming, protect your hair from harsh chemicals, such as chlorine. Spray conditioner without rinsing on the hair before entering the pool to reduce the absorption of chlorine by the hair. To avoid getting chlorine on your hair, don't soak your hair in pool water or wear a swimming cap.
If your hair is damaged by chlorine, add a little vinegar to your shampoo and use it to restore the condition of your hair. In addition, mix well 1 teaspoon of olive oil and conditioner without rinsing (if any) and then apply it on the hair because olive oil is useful for strengthening hair
Tips
- You don't need to wash or style your hair if you don't want to travel. Let your hair recover when you can relax at home.
- Choose a hair styling tool that is coated with ceramic to protect your hair from the heat.
- Dry your hair on a low temperature if you want to use a hot straightener after drying your hair.
- When the wind is strong, wear a jacket with a hat to keep your hair from getting tangled.
- Make a herbal hair mask, for example from olive oil and mayonnaise so that the hair gets vitamin E intake. After being treated with the mask, rinse the hair thoroughly, enjoy the softness and shine!
