Essential Hair Care Tips

I know that sometimes reading an entire blog to get various hair care tips can be time consuming, so I thought I would provide a list of hair care tips:

• Rather use a mild shampoo with a low PH level to wash your hair. An SLS or SLES free shampoo is also best to use on your hair (find out more on the post on Sulfates).
• 2-in-1 Shampoos are not good for our hair; they can actually dry the hair out. That’s why you should use a shampoo and then a conditioner.
• Deep condition as often as you can.
• I know that most of us don't wash our hair everyday, but if you do, try washing every 4 - 7 days instead. Washing too often (especially with SLS/SLES shampoos) will dry out your hair.
• Add essential oils to your conditioner, as our hair loses these during the shampoo process.
• When washing your hair, rub only in 1 direction to avoid tangling - also, comb your hair after its 80-90% dry as hair is weak and more prone to breakage when wet.
• Instead of rubbing your hair with a towel to dry it, rather leave the towel on your head for about 15 - 30 minutes to let it absorb the water, or rub in 1 direction if you are in a hurry.
• Wash your hair with warm water as hot water can dry it
• A healthy lifestyle will do wonders for your hair
• Leave-in conditioners are here for a reason ladies, lets use them, they will help hydrate our hair.
• Avoid heat as much as possible - air dry instead of blow drying, do a roller set instead of a tong and only limit our use of straighteners to once a month or so (see why I am trying to find hairstyles that will look good with my "fra" hair LOL)
• Use a wide toothed comb - also try to limit your use of combs to a few times a week. I actually only ever use a comb on washdays, or at least 2 times a week in winter because I must admit it gets harder to wash my hair often for fear of the cold, finger comb your hair.
• When detangling your hair, start at the ends and work your way down, in that way by the time you get the tangles, you have already created a smooth path for removal, which will prevent hair breakage.
• Satin/Silk pillowcases and scarves are the way to go. They will not dry your hair out as with most materials as they slide easier when you move your head at night. Okay, I am still struggling with this one because the scarves slip off at night, I wear stockings (not good).
• Moisturise your hair twice a day. This will help give it extra moisture. DON'T use too much product though it make your hear too weak and it will break.
• Avoid products that contain alcohol
• In winter, try and get a weave, as this will protect your hair from the dry winter air, however, wash it and spray it regularly to keep your hair moisturised and your scalp clean. If you aren't one for weaves, a wig is a good alternative, or a wool hat/cap, just try and wear a satin/silk scarf underneath.
• Wear hats/caps in summer to protect your hair from the hot sun (wear a silk/satin scarf underneath or get one that's lined)
• Always wash your hair after swimming - you want to get the chlorine out as soon as possible.
• Add oils to your hair regimen. You can either get a hot oil treatment once a month, add oils to your conditioner after washing, use oils to massage your scalp (this will also help the scalp generate natural oils), Pre-poo (this is when you oil your hair an hour or the night before shampooing) it will protect the hair from the chemicals in shampoos. Some of the oils to use are: Lavender oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, grape seed oil, castor oil (although the smell can be intolerable for some), macadamia nut oil...most of these oils can be found in grocery stores (try Pick 'n Pay and Woolies food if you can't find them in your regular grocery store)