Is your hair not in great condition? Are you using too much heat? Are you spending a fortune on products which do not seem to help?
According to renowned hair stylist, Michael Charalambous, the less you do to your hair, the healthier it will be.
He adds he is seeing more clients opting for styles that work with their lifestyle and hair texture rather than following fashion. This cuts down on heat-styling and use of products.
However, he points out fringes are having a moment and are very popular with his clients. Fringes have benefits such as softening the face and hiding fine lines. Before you go ahead with a new look, discuss with your hairdresser what maintenance will be needed.
Hair care starts with your shampoo and conditioner. If you have grey, coloured, or curly hair, you may find using products without sulphates and silicones improve your crowning glory.
Apply shampoo to the scalp and let it run through the lengths. As my hair is dry, I use a pre-shampoo treatment (a mask or conditioner) and apply shampoo that does not contain sulphates on top and rinse out.
After years of testing so many potions that promise the earth, I found few that really made a difference. Have I found one that gets rid of frizz? The answer is no. However, a good moisturising concoction can help. The expensive ones are not always the best. New is not always better, but it does sell!
The best advice is to use products that are formulated for your hair type. It is a matter of trial and error to find the best for you. I tend to use as few products as possible. Your hair will change over the years. As you age it becomes finer and drier. When you find that your current regime no longer works, it is time for a change.
Hair in good condition
I found that it makes little difference whether you use microfiber or cotton towels to dry your hair. (For that matter, I have never found a difference between sleeping on silk, satin or cotton pillowcases.) However, rubbing your hair does cause damage. Wrap your wet hair up in a towel for about 10 minutes to soak up excess water. Pat your locks dry, never rub. Alternatively, air dry them.
Brushing wet hair can harm it. Try using your fingers to get rid of any tangles. When using a hair dryer, start with your dryer on high heat and reduce it as your locks begin to dry. The lower the speed setting, the more control you will have when styling.
The people who have the healthiest hair, do the least to it
Keep the nozzle at least 15 centimetres (six inches) away from your hair. Correct use of the hairdryer should not cause harm. However, if you carry on using heated tools once it is dry, you run the risk of unhealthy hair.
If you cannot give up your straighteners or curling tongs, try to use them occasionally. Remember, heat protectants are generally formulated with silicones and polymers.
For some people, like myself, with curly hair, silicones seem to make the hair dry and brittle. I tend to stay clear of high-heat appliances so use a primer without silicon. However, leave-in products that contain silicones can help guard against heat damage. Read the label to see if it contains heat protection.
To revive my hair the next day I tilt my head forwards and give it a blast of cold air. It seems to get the body back into my strands and helps to tame those pesky flyways. I use my hands to put it into place. Still using cold air, I go over any sections that need a little extra help, always pointing the nozzle of the hairdryer downwards.
Colouring can also damage fragile hair so try to have these processes done as infrequently as possible. Grey hair may not tolerate highlights as it once did. Speak to your colourist about alternatives.
I was relieved that Michael said my hair was in good condition. It had gone through a bad stage. Giving my hair plenty of moisture, foregoing silicones and sulphates, using heat as little as possible and only using a round brush to smooth out when needed, has paid off. In short, as Michael says: “the people who have the healthiest hair do the least to it.”
By Daralyn Danns
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