Healthy hair care

THE hair on our head is often referred to as one's `crowning glory'. A person's hair can say a lot about them and it may be less than stunning when it is not being taken care of.

Many people put a lot of effort and money into hair maintenance from seeking advice from professionals to buying hair care products, going to hair salons and such.

Yet there are some things done in the name of hair care that may be damaging to your hair.

You have to be aware that existing hair care products in the market today contain damaging chemicals that hinder healthy hair development.

For example hydrogen peroxide that is used in hair coloring is one type of chemical that can cause damage to your hair, including straightening chemicals.

With the vast option available these days, it can be a real challenge to find the right products that suits and provide you the best treatment.

Each person's hair has a different personality (hair types) and you have to learn to accept its natural tendencies. For this reason, certain products may work wonderfully for some and not others.

To figure out which products are right for you, you have to consider your own type, as well as your current hairstyle.

There are thousands of products available in beauty shops and pharmacies. Find and use the products that work for you. Resist the temptation of applying too many different kinds of creams, conditioners, and lotions. Instead of improving your looks, it will only make your tresses rough, dry, and greasy.

The easiest and simplest way to maintain a healthy looking hair is as follows:

* Moisturise regularly

This will take care of dry and dull hair, which is a problem millions of people face every single day. After shampooing, you can moisturise by massaging in some conditioner, paying particular attention to your scalp. Leave it on for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly. There are also new kinds of conditioners that do not require any rinsing, which are known as leave-on products, which come in cream or spray varieties.

* Proper daily diet

The saying `You are what you eat' applies to the health of every follicle on your head. The quality of your hair will improve significantly if you make a few healthy modifications to your daily diet. Increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is a good start. If you combine this with drinking water every day and reducing your consumption of junk foods, you will soon notice positive changes to your hair.

* Trimming

Trim your hair regularly is ideal. You should take off at least half an inch once every two months, to keep it in excellent form. This will ensure you are always free of split ends, and encourage healthy hair growth.

Also try to get expert advice on hair care in salons or beauty departments. It is one step towards your own beauty care routine. Only you truly know what feels right for you.

Tips

Basic hair care

* Wash your hair as often as needed for your hair type. Scrub your scalp with fingertips, not nails. Rinse hair thoroughly to remove all traces of soap.

* Condition your hair after shampooing to detangle and protect it.

* Apply a deep conditioner to damp hair and leave it overnight to moisturise and provide extra conditioning to over-processed hair.

* Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb. Wet hair is weaker and easily broken with a brush.

* Cut your hair every six to eight weeks to maintain a style and neat appearance. Cut longer hair at least every three months to eliminate damaged ends.

* Apply styling product according to your hair type. Apply gel to provide hold and mousse to add body to fine hair. Finish with hair spray for added control.