20 haircare dos and don’ts
Want shiny, soft, healthy hair? Just follow these rules.
Don’t press your hairdryer on to your hair to make it dry faster or straighter. This will actually cause the hair shaft to expand and the outer layers to curl up, giving your hair a frizzy look.
Do regularly treat dry locks. Cover your hair with a tablespoon of almond oil, mixed with a tablespoon of jojoba oil, leave on overnight, and shampoo and condition as normal the next morning.
Don’t rub your hair the wrong way. Drying hair gently from root to tip {the right way} will make your hair look shinier and smoother.
Do give your hair a break. Try going an extra day or two without washing or blow-drying.
Don’t spray perfume in your hair – it contains chemicals that will dry out the hair and alter its colour.
Do avoid putting conditioner on the hair roots if you’re prone to an oily scalp.
Don’t over-brush your hair if you want it to stay looking cleaner for longer – brushing spreads sebum down the length of the hair, making it appear greasy.
Do shampoo only once. If your hair doesn’t feel sticky there’s no need to rinse and repeat.
Don’t chew or twirl your hair – it will split the ends causing it to break more easily.
Do wrap hair in a towel to absorb moisture after washing it. Less heat will be needed to dry it.
Don’t rely on styling products to get your hair looking good. Let a good cut and condition do all the talking.
Do use a product with a UV filter or wear a hat when going in the sun to reduce fading if your hair is coloured.
Don’t use metal brushes and comb. They have very little “give”, which leads to damaged hair cuticles.
Do massage your scalp to stimulate hair growth.
Don’t do treatment overkill. Colouring, straightening and bleaching processes all weaken the hair.
Do avoid fatty foods. If you suffer from greasy hair it could be a side effect of a diet rich in fat and spicy dishes. And cross strong tea and coffee off your list too – both contain stimulants that increase activity of the sebaceous glands.
Don’t use silicon-based products such as two-in-one shampoos and conditioners as they leave residue on the hair shaft that will leave your hair looking dull.
Do leave your conditioner in as long as possible. If your hair is crying out for moisture, smooth it all over your hair and put on a shower cap while you do all your other beauty treatments in the shower, then rinse out.
Don’t tease or backcomb your hair. It increases friction on the hair, meaning it will knot more easily and be harder to detangle. The less friction your hair is exposed to, the better – it will make it softer and easier to handle.
Do have regular trims. Even if it’s a micro-trim, it going to help prevent spilt ends and breakage.
More hair care tips:
- How to get a glossy mane
- The (many) reasons we can’t live without dry shampoo
- How to keep your hair healthy in summer
- Help! I’m losing my hair
- 5 insider hair tricks that pack a big beauty punch
Written by Nikki Yazxhi.
