Beauty And The Blog

Anti-aging for your hair?! Heck yeah! Having damaged hair is aging! Even a young woman with damaged hair can appear older. Strong, gleaming hair is a sign of health and yes, associated with youth. So how is your hair looking? Not so hot? If that’s the case I have some pointers for you.

Firstly though, make sure you have the ends trimmed regularly even if you are growing it out or a fan of long styles. Your hair will split and look damaged quickly if you do not. The ends can get very dried out and then the hair can split faster than it grows! Those of you sporting shorter styles need regular cuts just to maintain the style properly so you won’tneed to worry about those ends drying out.

Here are the signs that your hair is damaged:

1) Rough texture.

2) Overly porous (absorbs your styling products too quickly).

3)Feels dry and brittle to the touch.

4) No elasticity, you will notice breakage.

5) Becomes spongy and matted after washing.

6) Color fades or processes too rapidly.

To avoid damaged hair or to prevent further damage:

1) Use a thermal protector when using heat.

2) Try not to blow dry the hair completely dry. Leave a little moisture in.

3) Use a conditioner or finishing spray with U.V. protectors built in.

4) When having a color service use a low or no ammonia hair color.

5) When having a perm ask to have it air oxidized instead of using the neutralizer.

6) Always use a wide toothed comb on wet hair. Never use a brush.

7) For long hair that has already been dried use a boar hair brush and start at the ends and work up.

8) Clarify your hair after you swim, there are specially formulated shampoos.

9) Blow dry on the “cool” setting.

10) Eat foods rich in protein and essential fatty acids (chicken, turkey, fish, and nuts).

11) Take a supplement meant for increasing hair health, such as Biotin (also great for skin and nails)

12) Select gentle shampoos meant for damaged hair if your hair is already damaged, gentle shampoos for normal hair if it is not yet damaged. Also look for shampoos for your specific hair type such as fine, coarse or dry (dry hair is not necessarily damaged hair! Cold weather and wind can dry your hair and make it appear damaged).

To make your hair appear healthier right away:

1) “Scrunch” or mist a glosser into dry hair. Many companies claim glossers “repair the hair”, they don’t. They do coat the hair with a layer of silicone oil (dimethicone, cyclomethicone) making is immediately smoother and more flexible.

2) Use a flexible styling gel. Apply to damp hair and blow dry or air dry.

3) Take 1-3 drops of olive oil in your hand. Rub your hands together and “scrunch” (for curly hair) or work into dry hair with a sweeping movement (straight hair).

4) Select a good conditioner, 2 actually. A light one for daily use and a more intense treatment to use once a week.

OK~ So, are we on the way to healthier, more youthful looking tresses? Good! But be patient, it takes time to bring your hair back to optimal condition. Anti-Aging is a head to toe project! Hmmmm, how are those toes looking?