| HAIR MAINTENANCE | | | | growing and falls out, or simply breaks off. Putting your |
| There are a few things you can do on a regular basis | | | | hair up frequently will keep that weight off the root of |
| that will improve the overall health and appearance of | | | | the hair. You can pin it up gently with bobby pins or a |
| your hair, as well as a few things you can avoid. In | | | | banana clip when running errands, doing housework, |
| general, here's a few standards: | | | | cooking dinner, doing yard work, messing around on |
| Brush your hair: Yep, the good old fashioned hundred | | | | your computer, watching TV, etc. Now, this depends |
| strokes. This stimulates blood supply to the scalp, | | | | on your hair style and hair length. If you have a short |
| removes dead skin cells from the scalp before they | | | | hairstyle, this step is not only unnecessary - it's |
| can get infected, and distributes sebum over the hair | | | | impossible. However, if you have shoulder length or |
| shaft for moisturizing and protection. Bend over from | | | | longer hair, and want it to be as thick and healthy |
| the waist and hang limply while doing some of the | | | | looking as possible, make it a point to put it up and |
| brushing. Use a natural bristle brush or other gentle | | | | keep the weight off your scalp. The other upside is |
| brush. Be careful and don't hurry. Better to go slow | | | | that it will help keep the hair out of dinner. |
| and only get 30 strokes in, than go fast and risk | | | | How to Wash Your Hair |
| breaking or pulling out your hair. Get into the habit of | | | | Believe it or not, there is a right way to wash your hair. |
| brushing your hair thoroughly before washing it. | | | | Treat it like the finest silk! If you've ever made the |
| Massage your scalp: Before you stop to groom and | | | | mistake of running a pair of expensive silk hose |
| brush your hair during the day, make a point of doing a | | | | through your washing machine, you'll know what I |
| quick scalp massage first. Slip your fingers into your | | | | mean. |
| hair, and using just the pads of your fingers, massage | | | | Here a few tips for avoid causing any excess |
| in small circular motions over your scalp. Using your | | | | damage to your hair while washing it: |
| finger pads will keep you from breaking your hair, | | | | 1. |
| scratching your scalp and messing up your style too | | | | Let your hair hang naturally when you wash it; either |
| much. Then restyle, re-spray (if you use it) and go... | | | | standing in the shower or with your head leaning over |
| Break Day: Get into the habit of giving your hair a | | | | the bath, or in a shampoo sink. NEVER - NEVER - |
| break once a week. It is not necessary to wash your | | | | NEVER - pile it up on your head to wash. |
| hair every day (unless you are a teenager, have a | | | | 2. |
| dirty job or work up a real sweat every day). If you | | | | Wet your hair with warm water (not hot) to prepare it |
| are over the age of 20, and do not have any rashes | | | | for shampooing. Keep the pressure on the |
| or infections (like dandruff), give your hair a break for a | | | | showerhead gentle enough to avoid excess water |
| whole day. Pick a day where you normally do not go | | | | pressure on your hair. |
| out, or just do housework and run errands. Do not | | | | 3. |
| wash with shampoo and do not heat style. If you just | | | | Pour shampoo into the palm of your hand. |
| feel too grubby and must do something, after brushing | | | | 4. |
| your hair thoroughly to distribute the sebum, simply wet | | | | Work the shampoo into a lather in your hand, and |
| your hair, apply a little daily conditioner to the ends, rinse | | | | apply to your scalp. Work the shampoo into your scalp |
| well, and then pull back into a "wet look" ponytail or bun. | | | | all over your head by massaging with your fingertips |
| Give your hair a break from shampooing once a | | | | (not your fingernails). Move fingers from one area of |
| week, and whenever possible, from blow-drying and | | | | your head to the other by lifting the fingers and then |
| heat styling. | | | | placing them elsewhere on your head. Do NOT drag |
| Conditioning Treatments: Unless you have very fine, | | | | them through your hair. Remember, hair is the most |
| limp hair, get into the habit of applying a deep | | | | vulnerable to damage and breakage when it is wet. If |
| conditioning treatment to your hair once a week. Deep | | | | your hair is particularly dirty or oily, you can work the |
| conditioners are not the same as daily conditioners, | | | | shampoo through to the ends. If your hair is very dry |
| and homemade preparations work really well. Coconut | | | | or processed, you may just want to wash your scalp, |
| oil is especially good for hair conditioning. Brush your | | | | and let the shampoo pick up any dirt or oil on the ends |
| hair, wash it lightly, and then towel dry. Apply your deep | | | | as it's rinsed out. |
| conditioner and then wrap your head in a heated towel | | | | 5. |
| to open the hair cuticle and allow the conditioner to | | | | Rinse hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. Ensure that |
| soak in. Leave for 10 minutes to half and hour. Then | | | | you allow it to hang naturally. You may spread it out |
| rinse thoroughly in warm water to remove the | | | | gently with your fingertips if it's long and needs extra |
| conditioner residue that remains, then cool water to | | | | help getting out the shampoo. |
| close the hair cuticle. Rinsing your hair in cool water | | | | 6. |
| can be a little uncomfortable, but it can do amazing | | | | If you chose to use a rinse-out conditioner, this is the |
| things for the appearance of your hair. It closes the | | | | time. Unlike shampooing, apply conditioners to the ends |
| hair cuticle close to the shaft, which increases shine | | | | of your hair, and if your hair is generally dry, apply the |
| and manageability, and helps to keep hair strong. A | | | | remainder on your hands gently to the roots. Repeat |
| mixture of cool water and lemon juice is even better | | | | the rinse. |
| for shine and strength (a half of a teaspoon of lemon | | | | 7. |
| juice in two quarts of cool water is sufficient). | | | | Towel dry gently. The new hair towel wraps are |
| Daily Conditioner: Get into the habit of applying a daily | | | | excellent, keep hair in place and aren't heavy like a |
| conditioner to hair ends every time you shampoo. This | | | | towel wrap so there's less risk of breakage to your |
| will reduce slit ends, discoloration when coloring, | | | | hair. |
| damage when heat styling and reduce the need for | | | | 8. |
| frequent trims. Use a product designed for thermal | | | | Once hair is towel-dried you can apply a leave-in |
| styling if you frequently blow-dry, use a curling iron or | | | | conditioner. |
| hot rollers. | | | | 9. |
| Haircuts: Get into the habit of getting your hair trimmed | | | | ALWAYS comb wet hair with a wide-tooth comb- |
| when it needs to be. Again, this reduces split ends and | | | | NEVER brush wet hair. |
| keeps excess weight off your hair (which can cause | | | | 10. |
| breakage). About once every 8 weeks is right for | | | | NEVER, NEVER, NEVER sleep on wet hair - it is |
| shoulder length or longer hair, once every 6 weeks for | | | | vulnerable when wet, and can break easily as you turn |
| shorter styles. | | | | on your pillow. Even if it doesn't break, it roughs up the |
| Up-Dos: Yep, that's right - if you have long hair and | | | | cuticle and makes it look dull. |
| want to keep it that way - put your hair up when | | | | 11. |
| possible. I'm not suggesting you look like an librarian | | | | Air dry hair whenever possible. |
| every day, but one of the reasons that women grew | | | | With just a little care and attention, you can have the |
| such long beautiful hair back in the "old days" is | | | | lush and lovely locks you deserve. Treat your hair like |
| because they wore it up all the time. The weight of | | | | the finest silk and it will reward you with shine, body |
| your hair can stimulate the start of the telogen phase. | | | | and brilliance. |
| When hair is weighed down and very long, it stops | | | | |