"Don't worry, it'll grow back" they said. And it will grow back, stronger and healthier with these simple tips...
I naturally have really healthy hair which gives me the luxury of doing whatever I want to my hair, knowing full well that it will grow out soon enough and I can restyle it all over again. However, with that being said, there are some things I do to make sure I keep my hair as healthy as possible (or has as little damage as possible).
Here are my easy tips on getting healthier hair:
ᴿᴹ Wash your hair once a week
The less you wash your hair, the better it is for your hair's health. Over washing your hair can be damaging as you are not allowing your scalp's natural oils to nourish your hair from the roots. Washing your hair too frequently can be drying for your hair and may cause dry, itchy scalp. If possible, aim to wash your hair once to twice weekly. Imagine how much shampoo you'll be saving this way!
ᴿᴹ Detangle hair before washing
Your hair will be very weak when it's being washed and that is why you will see more hair fall when it's being washed than at any other time. If you detangle your hair before washing it, there is likely to be less hair breakage and fall out. You don't need to buy an expensive detangler for this; a wide tooth comb is sufficient for this.
ᴿᴹ Get regular trims
If you have fine hair, book yourself in to get a trim every three months and if you have thick hair, you will need a trim every six months. A regular trim is essential to ensure that any spilt ends are kept at bay and do not travel up the shaft of your hair as that can really thin out and damage your hair.
ᴿᴹ Avoid using heat in your hair
If possible, avoid using any kind of heat in your hair. This includes hair dryers, straighteners and hair curlers. If you do need to use a styling tool for your hair be sure to use a heat protectant spray ahead of time to minimise the damage caused to your hair.
ᴿᴹ Hair extensions and elaborate styles
As pretty as they look, elaborate hair styles and hair extensions can really pull at the roots which can lead to breakage and weakening of the hair. Do avoid this and if you do need to do put your hair up, avoid styles that are tight and pull on your hair. The Croydon facelift of the 1990s is very damaging to your hair so this is a style that should be avoided.
ᴿᴹ Coconut oil
A not-so-secret secret to Asian hair is coconut oil. Most South Asians will be all too familiar with the smell of coconut oil. Coconut oil is essentially the wonder-food for healthy hair. Lather this into your hair once a month for an hour and then wash off with shampoo and conditioner and you will see a shine in your hair. For an added boost, add a raw egg onto your hair (or mayonnaise if you're out of egg). This will do wonders for your hair.
ᴿᴹ Hair bleach and dye
Bleaching your hair is the worst thing you can do followed by dying your hair from a dark colour to a lighter one. There is no two ways about this. If however you really do want to change your hair colour and get a lighter shade, be sure to ask your hair dresser to use Smartbond on you. This costs an extra £30 or so to your treatment and is a three step process to help keep hair damage caused by dyeing to a minimum.
ᴿᴹ Avoid using hair spray
Avoid using hair spray when doing creating a hairstyle as it can be very drying. If you've spent some time creating a style and you really want it to last, consider using a hair serum or a dime sized amount of oil instead. Just run this through your hair (gently) and it should keep the style in place.
ᴿᴹ Don't use hot water
Hot water is your hair's enemy; it irritates the scalp and so when new hair grows out, this is weaker than what it could have been. Next time you are having a shower, turn down the temperature and you will soon start to see an improvement in the health of your hair.
ᴿᴹ Don't stress
Stress impacts your hair health. Too much stress can cause hair loss (which can cause more stress, which can cause more hair loss...vicious circle!).
Bear in mind that these tips are to help you get healthier hair but these all have their limitations as the most important factor in having healthy, good quality hair is genetics. Every hair type is different and the results will vary greatly from person to person.
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