Getting into a hair care routine is as important as any other personal care routine, so I have put together a simple guide for you to follow. As with any new habits, you will need to find a regime that suits you, your hair’s needs, and your lifestyle.
Different hair types will require different products and depending on the condition and texture of your hair, you may need to add in additional steps. I always recommend that any intense treatments, colouring, and cutting should be carried out by a trained professional, however, for the days in between, here is what you can do to improve the overall health of your hair.
Step 1 - Washing your hair at home
Have you ever noticed that when you visit the hair salon, they always #shampoo the hair twice? This is not because they want you to feel like you are getting more for your money, there is, in fact, an important reason for this. The first shampoo is the removal of debris, oils, and the build-up of the product, the second shampoo is the cleansing of the hair. You may have heard it be said that washing your hair too often is not good for the hair, but that is not entirely true. You see, our scalps naturally produce oils, some of us produce more than others, which is why some people find their hair looking more ‘greasy’, more quickly than others. If you find your hair needs washing daily, then wash daily. As previously mentioned, you need to find the way that works for you and your hair.
Bring the salon treatment home with you and incorporate a two-step shampooing process into your routine. The first shampoo can be a quick ‘lather up’ and ‘rinse’ whilst the second shampoo needs to be more of a scrub! We recommend when shampooing your hair, you give the scalp a good massage. Massaging the scalp stimulates the sebaceous glands, which produces the natural oil that your hair needs to thrive, plus it feels great! If you use a lot of products on your hair then you could try using a clarifying shampoo to help remove the unwanted muck from your hair.
Step 2 - Conditioning your hair after washing
Generally speaking, a conditioner usually only detangles the hair and adds shine, so depending on the condition of your hair, you may need to use a hair mask instead. There is no need for you to condition from the root, a small amount on the ends is sufficient. A hair mask tends to be a supercharged version of a #conditioner. Masks are richer in other healing ingredients which coat the hair and seal in the moisture. Hair that is overly coloured and in poor condition would benefit from the regular use of a good quality hair mask. Hair oils are another alternative, oils penetrate the hair and improve flexibility by adding softness and shine.
If you go to the gym and tend to use the sauna and or steam room, then I recommend you apply the hair mask to your hair just before you go into the steam or sauna. The heat and the steam will open up the hair cuticles and will allow better absorption of the treatment.
Before using a hair mask you will need to towel dry the hair because if the hair is too wet, you will only end up diluting the product and you won’t get the best results!
Please get in touch with me if you would like some help choosing the right cleansers and conditioners for you.
Step 3 - Combing and brushing your hair
Believe it or not, (I'd rather you believed me) one of the biggest causes of hair damage is down to poor brushing/combing. Invest in a detangling comb to use on your wet hair. It is important to remember that your hair is delicate and requires a gentle hand. Always brush/comb your hair from end to root. So starting at the bottom, detangle the ends and work your way up to the top to ensure you don’t break and damage the hair. This rule is the same for wet and dry hair.
Step 4 - Leave-in conditioner
If you find your hair is very tangled and damaged, then you would benefit from using some form of leave-in conditioner or a detangling spray. This will help you to comb through your wet hair without causing too much damage. Moroccan oil is a great leave-in treatment, it penetrates deep into the cuticle and helps to speed up drying time. But be careful with the type of oil you use because some oils just coat the hair, leaving it greasy! Again, if you would like some help to find the right leave-in treatment for your hair type, then get in touch to book an appointment.
Step 5 - Drying the hair
When it comes to drying your hair, there are a few things you must remember. Firstly when towel drying the hair, you may feel inclined to rub the hair, but I highly recommend that you never do this. You need to squeeze the water from the hair, because when you rub the hair in a vigorous manner, you are damaging the cuticle, which could lead to weakening and in some cases breaking the hair, causing damaged, frizzy locks.
Before blow-drying your hair, it is always best to use some form of heat protection or a mousse. This puts a light film on the hair protecting it from the heat. You must not have the hairdryer too hot, even on the lower settings, the temperature can be too much for fragile hair and cause further damage.
You must always keep the hairdryer moving, keeping the hairdryer in one place results in too much heat being directed in one place, which again can really hurt your hair.
When blow-drying hair, use a nozzle and point the hairdryer down toward the end of the hair. Each strand of hair is comprised of three layers: the cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The cuticle is the outer layer made up of cells that overlap. When you direct the heat downwards, you are smoothing the cuticle flat, resulting in shinier, healthier-looking hair.
When you follow this basic guide to create your own hair care routine, you will start to notice improvements very quickly. Your hair is your permanent accessory, and if you don’t let it down, it won’t let you down!