Lose the Heat

Either stop using blow dryers, flat irons, or curling irons, or severely limit their use. The heat can make your hair very dry and burn it. Burned hair can’t be fixed, so avoid it in the first place. Trim of the ends of your hair that are very dry, split and damaged, and use a pre-treatment to protect your hair before every use of heat on your hair.

Washing Dry Hair

Shampoo is one of the biggest culprits of dry hair. The sulfates can easily damage your hair and scalp. Start by using a moisturizing shampoo and decreasing the amount of shampoo you use. Use just enough, no more than a quarter size amount, and apply it to your scalp. Don’t massage it through the rest of your hair. When you rinse out your hair, the soap will still reach the length of your hair and clean it without doing as much damage.

If possible, switch to a sulfate-free shampoo or a cream cleanser. You can also try using a very lightweight conditioner as a cream cleanser. Just apply it all over your scalp, scrub your scalp gently with the pads of your fingertips and rinse thoroughly. If you use these methods and your hair gets too oily, give your scalp some time to adjust. If you notice build up, use a regular moisturizing shampoo once or twice and then go back to your regular routine.

Conditioner

Always use conditioner, especially if you normally have dry hair. Conditioner is very effective when used on a regular basis. Use a thick, moisturizing conditioner. If you get oily hair easily, don’t apply conditioner to the scalp, only to the length of the hair. Concentrate more conditioner on the ends because they are older and may be drier.

Deep Treatments

When your hair is dry and your regular routine is in good shape, use a deep moisturizing treatment for dry hair for added moisture. Look for a deep treatment at the drugstore that is meant to moisturize better. Try leaving your regular conditioner on for 20 to 30 minutes if you don’t have a deep treatment.

Make your Own Deep Treatment

If you don’t want to buy another deep treatment, there are ways to add more to your regular conditioner to make it more moisturizing. Into 4 parts conditioner add 2 parts aloe vera gel, 1 part olive oil, and 2 parts honey. Stir thoroughly to combine and apply to clean wet hair after squeezing out all excess water. Wrap your hair in plastic wrap or put on a shower cap. Wrap your hair with a towel and let it sit for 30 minutes or longer.

You can enhance the treatment by using a blow dryer on low heat over the towel to keep your hair warm or by wrapping a hot towel right out of the dryer over your hair. Heat opens up the cuticle of the hair allowing more moisture to get in.

Close the Cuticle

Just as heat opens up the cuticle, cold closes the cuticle. After finishing your shower, rinse your hair with water that is as cold as you can stand. This will close the cuticle and help seal in moisture. This is also a great way to reduce frizz.

Now that you know how to treat dry hair, try some or all of these ideas. They will help to tame the frizz, eliminate the crunchy, dry feeling of your hair, and make it look much better.

What to Look for in a Good Curling Iron

A variable temperature setting is very important in a good curling iron. The best curling irons all have a variable temperature setting because everyone’s hair will require a different amount of heat. Curly hair will require more heat to manipulate, but I still recommend not putting it up to the highest heat setting. Put it as low as possible so that it still works. If you’re using a cheaper curling iron, the highest setting is usually extremely hot and should be avoided.

Ceramic curling irons are great for curling with less damage. Metal curling irons will be more likely to burn the hair and get too hot. Look for a ceramic curling iron if possible.

A good curling iron will also have a heat resistant tip. This way you can hold both ends of the curling iron while you curl it up toward your head. It will also help reduce the possibility for burning your hands or your head. It’s a convenience and safety feature.

Curling Iron Sizes

The size of the curling iron makes a big difference. The smaller the curling iron barrel, the smaller and tighter the curls. You can also effect the looseness of your curls by using less or more hair in each section you curl. The size you get is your own personal preference. If you like both looks, feel free to get a couple different sizes.

Chi Curling Irons

Chi curling irons are a little on the pricey side, but they cost more for a reason. They are excellent quality curling irons that are effective and much safer on your hair. The Chi irons have an ergonomic design making it easy to hold and maneuver. They have a ceramic barrel and quick heat technology so there isn’t a lot of time wasted waiting around for it to heat up.

Chi offers a versatile heat setting and a long, heavy-duty swivel cord that makes it easy to move around without tangling the cord. You will get some of the best, frizz-free curls from all Chi products. They also offer a line of heat protection products.

Conair Curling Irons

Conair is one of the more affordable brands. It’s still a great quality product, but they only have a limited number of ceramic barrel curling irons. You could try one of the ordinary curling irons that are cheaper, just don’t make it as hot because it can burn easily.

Vidal Sassoon Curling Irons

Vidal Sassoon makes another more affordable curling iron. Again, the quality isn’t based around protecting your hair as much as focusing on heating up quickly, although heating up quickly is beneficial, too. For those concerned with safety, it has an automatic turn-off feature. It’s a good cheap alternative but should be used sparingly.

BabyBliss Curling Irons

Babybliss is affordable. It is made from porcelain ceramic that is safer on your hair and creates silkier curls. BabyBliss makes a variety of sizes including a tapered barrel that allows you to create different curl designs. It heats up quickly and comes in a variety of heat settings.

Chi curling irons are my top choice if you can afford them. They aren’t as pricey as professional grade irons, but they are up there. The other choices are good if you want something a little less expensive and don’t plan on using it very often.

Comb your Hair When Dry

Your hair is very fragile and should always be treated like silk. Be careful not to get it caught on anything and brush it carefully. Always comb or brush your hair when it is dry because it is more fragile when it’s wet. If you comb it when it’s wet, you will stretch out and break.

Use Minimal Amounts of Shampoo

Shampoo is used to clean your hair and scalp, but too much will damage your hair and dry out your scalp often causing breakage. Never use more than a quarter size amount. Even if you have long hair, you don’t need more than this because the purpose of the shampoo is to clean the scalp area where oil builds up. A rinse with water will get out all the dirt and contaminants of the rest of your hair fine by itself.

Squeeze Out Water, Don’t Ring it Out

Don’t twist and ring out your hair when you squeeze out the water. Instead, squeeze it out a section at a time. Twisting the hair will cause breakage and damage. Do the same when you towel dry. Squeeze it out with the towel wrapped around it. Do not vigorously rub your hair with the towel. This will cause damage and tangles that are a pain to get out.

Moisturize Frequently

Even if you don’t think you have dry hair, moisture is important. Curly hair needs even more moisture. Don’t skip the conditioner. Some people with thin straight hair don’t condition because they say it weighs down your hair. At least look for a light conditioner and condition the bottom 3 to 5 inches. This is the oldest hair that doesn’t get oily from the scalp and gets dry and damaged easily.

If you have curly and/or dry hair, use a heavy conditioner every time you wash your hair, and use a deep conditioner at least once a month. To keep your hair moisturized throughout the day, use a leave in conditioner.

Switch Up Product Brands Occasionally

When you use the same shampoo over and over the same ingredients will start to build up on your hair and scalp making your hair look limp and dull. Switch the shampoo and conditioner you use every now and then, even if it just means rotating between 2 or 3 brands every couple of weeks or so. It will keep your hair happy and on its toes (figuratively speaking, of course!).

Prepare your Hair for the Pool

Chlorine and pool water can really do damage on your hair. The best thing to do is wear a swim cap that keeps your hair dry. Since this look isn’t exactly something many people want to show off, there are alternatives. Get your hair thoroughly wet with clean water. It won’t soak as much chlorine water up if it’s already full of clean water. Also, put some conditioner in it and put it in a bun or braid if possible. This will help protect it and keeping it tied up will prevent damage and tangling.

Avoid Heat from Hair Appliances

Flat irons, blow dryers, and curling irons do not get along with hair. They might give you the look you want from the start, but after a while, your hair will start to look dry and fried. The best thing to do is avoid them altogether. If you can’t do this, use them as infrequently as possible and always put the heat on low. Also, use heat protective leave in treatments to help protect the hair.

Cover your Hair in the Sun and Wind

The sun is bad for your hair just like it’s bad for your skin. Sun bleaching is basically breaking down the hair and damaging it. Whenever you’re out in the sun for long periods of time, wear a hat or scarf. Keep your hair tied up when it’s windy. Wind causes damage because it tangles the hair and roughs up the cuticle.

Control Frizz with Serum or Gel

Frizz is a common problem, especially for those with curly hair. Look for a serum or gel to help you control the frizz. Also, moisturizing it more will help keep frizz at bay, especially in humid weather.

Make Your Hair Shinier with Apple Cider Vinegar

Is your hair dull? It’s probably from build up and a roughed up cuticle. An apple cider vinegar rinse is the perfect cure. Put about 2 to 3 tablespoons of apply cider vinegar into two cups of cool water. Pour it over your hair last thing in the shower. Rinse it out after a few minutes or leave it in for extra shine. The smell will go away when your hair is dry.

Help Scalp Flakes by Switching Shampoo

Do you have a flaky, irritated scalp? Sometimes we don’t realize the skin on our head is often more sensitive than the skin on our face and body, and yet we neglect it and rough it up with harsh shampoos. Switch from shampoo to a cream cleanser or a sulfate-free shampoo. Try scrubbing your scalp lightly with brown sugar or baking soda, and massage jojoba oil mixed with essential oils for extra therapy.

Hair Growth Products

There are a lot of hair growth products on the market that claim your hair will great at incredible speeds just through using the product. Some make help speed up growth a little and most just make your hair look pretty. Shampoos and conditioners aren’t likely to do much because they only deal with the hair that has already grown. However, if they help keep your scalp cleaner and healthier, it may help to release the hair more easily and grow a little faster. Here are a few shampoos that you can try. Give them a few months and measure the same way each month. If you don’t see a different, move on.

Hair Vitamins

Hair vitamins can work well if you are low on any of the vitamins that affect your hair skin and nails. For example, if you take a multivitamin and extra B vitamins, taking more probably won’t help. It’s about reaching a maximum. If you already get enough of any vitamin or mineral, adding more isn’t going to give you an extra benefits. If you don’t take multivitamins, start taking ones with extra B vitamins and make sure you get lots of protein. My favorite hair vitamin that I have gotten good results from is Maxi-Hair.

Stimulating Oil

There are also stimulating oils that claim to regrow hair. Again, these are just increasing the health of your scalp. If you have scalp problems, they might help a lot. If your scalp is perfectly healthy, it probably won’t do much.

Hair growth products can help you reach your maximum growth rate. Add products one at a time so that you can easily determine which is working before moving on to something else. This will ensure you aren’t wasting your money. Overall, healthy living and taking care of your hair and scalp will help your hair grow at a good speed and look great.

There are several different ways you can straighten your hair. You can use large curlers for a heat-free method, but you will end up with big waves. You can use an iron, but this is difficult to do safely and you could easily burn your hair. The easiest way is to use a hair straightener. One of the most widely used and trusted straighteners is the Chi Hair Straightener.

Here are several different Chi Hair Straighteners to choose from. They aren’t as inexpensive as other flat irons, but that is because they offer superior results and are made at a high quality.

Chi uses ceramic plates which protect the hair. Instead of overheating and burning your hair, keeping it at a low to medium temperature will seal the cuticle and keep in moisture, which is what hair really needs. It uses ionic flat iron technology making it one of the best ceramic flat irons on the market. Hair straighteners have a strong tendency to burn and damage hair. This technology reduces such instances as is it doesn’t use traditional heating coils.

Another great feature is the versatility of the Chi Hair Straightener. You can get super straight locks, or you can curl your hair, add volume, or do just about anything you want. The plates are designed for such versatility.

The Chi uses less energy and is also available to turn off after a certain amount of inactivity. This makes it a much safer product. The cord is designed not to tangle making it easier to use.

There are several different Chi Hair Straighteners to choose from. Pick an iron depending on your hair type and what style you want to accomplish with your hair.

Chi also offers a variety of products to use with your flat iron that will protect it from the heat. In strongly recommend Cationic Hydration CHI Silk Infusion and CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray. You will get better results and your hair will be healthier and happier for it.

Take your Vitamins

Getting adequate nutrition is very important. Your hair is made up of protein and other compounds, and if you don’t get enough of those, you’re hair will fail to grow at its fastest rate. Start with a good multivitamin. Take extra B-vitamins, especially biotin. Omega-3 will help your hair grow strong and shiny. Good nutrition will also ensure that your hair is its best. If it grows fast but breaks easily and is thin and fragile, it won’t matter. Keep your hair strong and healthy.

Stay Healthy

An overall healthy lifestyle is important. Being healthy will help all of your body functions and will ensure that your hair grows healthy and quickly. Eat a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables, and get your exercise. Simply adding vitamins and being healthier overall alone can make a huge difference on the speed of hair growth and the health of your hair. Stay healthy for shiny, beautiful hair.

Keep your Scalp Healthy

If you have an unhealthy scalp, your hair may be blocked from growth, grow slowly, and look unhealthy. Keep your scalp clean and healthy to ensure that your hair looks its best. When you clean your hair, be sure to scrub your scalp with your fingertips to remove all the gook. Dirt, oil, and dead skin cells can clog the hair follicles and cause damage. If you have dandruff, a dandruff shampoo can help. Try to avoid shampooing too often and scrub your scalp with a light conditioner instead.

Moisturize

Moisturizing your hair and caring for it will ensure that they hair you already have stays in good shape. Use light oils to massage your scalp before shampooing from time to time. Use a good, thick conditioner as well. Also, avoid brushing your hair and just use a comb while it’s dry. Be gently with your hair. Don’t put it in tight ponytails or use rubber bands. Treat your hair like silk.

Trim Regularly

If you’re trying to grow your hair long, trimming it might not seem like a good idea. However, if you get split ends, you need to make sure they stay trimmed away before they can work their way up the length of the hair and cause more damage. Trim your hair about 1/4 inch every month or two and you will still see an increase in growth. If you’re just trying to grow out color or damage, you can cut off the damage freely. The more you get off the better.

Many women with curly hair, and some men, prefer straight hair or like to have straight hair once and a while. The problem is that the heat from straighteners can be very damaging to your hair. If it’s too hot or is just made of metal, it can easily burn your hair. Hair that is burnt can’t be brought back to it’s former glory. Also, hair that is continuously straightened, burnt or not, will start to look like straw, get very dry, and have many split ends. It may also start to break off.

Fortunately, their are measures you can take to use hair straighteners without destroying your hair. Following these tips will help your locks look beautiful and healthy while allowing you your desired style.

Get the Right Hair Straightener

There are many straighteners to choose from, expensive ones, cheap ones, good ones, and bad ones. Finding a quality straightener is important. Always look for a ceramic straightener. Ceramic allows for even heating and helps to seal the cuticle and keep moisture in. This keeps your hair healthy and shiny. It should hold the hair tightly to get a better result while keeping it on the hair for a short period of time. Look for features that emphasize the health of your hair. Adjustable heating is also important. Here are a few of the top hair straighteners that will work best for you. Plus, they are very affordable.

Technique

Proper technique is important for the desired style and health of your hair. Ensure that your hair is clean and dry before you start so that it doesn’t boil the hair. Use a protecting cream or serum beforehand. Set your straightener to a low or medium heat and work on a small piece at a time. Divide your hair into several sections with ponytails. Take one ponytail and work on it in very small sections. Keep the heat low so you don’t burn the hair. As long as it is a small amount of hair, it will be straightened effectively while not being burned. Always turn off an unplug the straightener when you aren’t using it to avoid fire hazards.

When all your hair is finished, apply a leave-in conditioner or protecting coat. This will add moisture after you just dried it out a bit. A regular conditioner or a serum can be substituted.

Minimize your Straightening

To preserve the health of your hair, try not to straighten too often. Do not do it on a daily basis, especially if you have curly hair. If you have curls, learn how to care for curly hair and style it. When you learn to love your curls, you won’t resort to straightening and damaging it frequently. When you do straighten your hair, don’t wash it for a couple days to enjoy the straight hair while only applying heat once. Try to keep it down to a couple times a month at most.

Keep your Hair Moisturized and Healthy

Hair requires moisture to be healthy. Even if you believe you have oily hair, you should still condition it. Just don’t apply conditioner to your scalp if you have an oily scalp. Oil comes from the scalp, not the hair. If you have curly hair and straighten it frequently, you need to moisturize more than anyone. Cut down on shampooing and use a light conditioner to scrub your scalp instead. Use a deep conditioner once a week and let it sit for at least 10 minutes, the longer the better.

Trim your Hair Regularly