A Good and Healthy Hair Day. How To Keep Your Hair Healthy by Kristine Sagan

A Good and Healthy Hair Day. How To Keep Your Hair Healthy by Kristine Sagan of Knotty Hair Salon, as published in the March-May 2012 Issue of Solano Fit Magazine. (www.SolanoFit.com)

Just like the money you  spend on your favorite outfit or pair of shoes, your hair deserves equal if not greater investment. Just think, it's the one part of your outfit you wear every day. In thirteen years of styling hair, I have see a lot of damage done to women's hair, but I have also learned ways to reverse damage by keeping it healthy. From using good products to getting regular trims here are a few considerations to making every day a good and healthy hair day.

 

1. Long Time No Trim

If you have ever asked yourself "How many months has it been since my last haircut?" follow this simple rule: schedule a cut every time the seasons change. Four haircuts a year will help to keep your hair healthy and stylish.

2. Speaking of Seasons

Always protect your hair from the elements, like heat and sun. Whether you blow dry or not you should always put something on your hair after you wash and condition. There are products for moisture, shine, smoothing or body building. Look for the right one for your hair type and check the ingredients for sunflower see oil/extract or benzophenone 4. These sunscreens can protect your hair from UV rays that can be drying or fade the color.

3. Squeaky Clean

After shampooing, does your hair feel squeaky clean? If it does, you have lost too much moisture. Try to avoid shampoos that contain laurel sulfates. Your conditioner should never have to do all the work. If you are using a shampoo that is stripping the moisture, a daily conditioner will not replace the moisture you need.

4. It Takes Time

Conditioner ingredients like Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Jojoba Oil, and Shea Butter will add moisture. Silk protein, Wheat Protein and Keratin will add strength. Remember to leave conditioner on your hair for a full 3-5 minutes so it has time to take effect.

5. The Shining

If you flat iron or curl your hair after blow drying it, you will need a shiner. Shiners create a protective barrier between the heat and the hair. Some shiners are silicone based to smooth the cuticle and add shine. Some can even cut down on drying time. Other shiners have Argan Oil which is an oil made from a tree native to Morocco. Argan Oil penetrates into the hair shaft to strengthen and repair the hair with vitamins, proteins and fatty acids. Argan Oil is also a natural sunscreen.

6. Too Darn Hot

Be careful of flat irons that have a dial. We tend to want to turn it all the way up. That is the fastest way to getting breakage and split ends. For fine to medium hair textures, the temperature should not exceed 375 degrees. For course hair don't go over 400 degrees.

7. Twice is Nice

To finish your hair and smooth any fly-aways use a shiner, pomade or hairspray. These should all contain a UV protectant too. For those who smooth curl, another good ingredient to look for is glycerin which resists humidity so your curl won't come back in wet weather. You'll need to shampoo twice to prevent build up: first to break down the products, and secondly to cleanse your hair.

8. You Deserve It

Using the best tools for you hair can make all the difference, especially when you are using heat often. I recommend investing in a good blow dryer. Ionic blow dryers work well. The ions shrink the water molecules to help the hair dry faster without using so much heat. My clients have also noticed less frizz after switching to ionic blow dryers.

 

Be sure to consult with a knowledgeable professional about the right products for you. Some salons will exchange the products they sell if they don't satisfy you. Make sure to check their policy.

Investing in yourself always feels good. And when it comes to your hair, using the right products will not only make it look and feel better, but also take some of the frustration out of getting ready in the morning. Remember, the difference between a good hair day and a bad hair day is in the products you use.

I know that when my hair looks good I feel better, walk taller and I don't mind bumping into an old friend in the grocery store. Make your hair the best thing you wear, so that everyday can be a good and healthy hair day!