Sargam Dhawan Bhayana discusses ways to experience a good-hair-day everyday
Let’s be honest, we all aspire for the perfect hair- the kind of hair that is easy to manage, soft to touch, shiny and looks like it has the ideal hair quality that requires little maintenance and care. But alas, we all have our bad hair days- oily scalps, greasy ends, dandruff, frizz, split ends, and hair fall. These are the most common problems we have dealt with. So, whilst we wonder if the people with the perfect hair have a magic wand that miraculously makes their hair perfect, the truth is they actually spend time and effort on maintaining their gorgeous hair.
Hair that is regulated by the natural oils on your scalp, resulting in consistently shiny and healthy looking hair is what most of us are looking for. Unfortunately, weather conditions, pollution, poor diet, vitamin deficiencies, stress, hormonal changes, wrong hair care products, products with too many chemicals, chemical hair treatments like straightening and hair colouring and excessive heat application can all throw your hair-balance out of whack, so you may need to occasionally switch up your hair-care routine.
The first step to having healthy hair is actually knowing your hair! Most people are not aware of their hair type- normal, oily, combination or dry and because of this, they don’t use the right products or take the necessary steps for a healthy mane. Thus, the better you understand your hair, the better you will be able to maintain it. A few tips for healthy hair are:
Shampoo and conditioner — go sulphate free
Choose a shampoo and a conditioner that work for your specific hair type. Look for sulphate free options- they will not strip you of natural oils that are actually good for your hair. They will maintain your natural protective barrier which means no more over-production of oil, less hair breakage and hair loss.
Oiling your hair
Oiling your hair with hair oil that suits your hair type on a regular basis is a simple act of selfcare. The massage will stimulate blood flow and bring more nutrients to your roots leading to healthier shinier hair.
Limiting heat styling
We agree that hot tools are cool- they make your hair look amazing by creating styles you love. Try keeping your heat settings to the lowest and use heat protection which will prevent damage.
Night care routine to keep your mane strong and healthy
We are all usually in a rush in the mornings, but evenings are our time to shine. We all have a skin care regime of removing our make-up and taking hot showers, but if you want to have a good hair day every day, it’s time to have a night care routine, too.
Your hair goes through a lot during the day- weather conditions, sweat, heat styling and what not. Having a good night time routine will protect your hair from frizz, dullness, hair fall and dryness. A few tips to incorporate at night are:
Deep conditioning
One of the best ways to repair damaged hair is to condition it. Leaving in the conditioner is one step ahead of regular conditioning. Use it overnight and wash your hair the next morning to see the difference as it will lock in moisture and protect your hair while you sleep.
Keeping your hair in place
We toss and turn as we sleep and cause a lot of damage to hair that is not tied up. Loose hair causes friction and eventually hair breakage. Make a loose plait or tie your hair with a loose scrunchie at night. If you have very short hair, put it in a silk cap which will not only reduce hair friction but reduce split ends too!
Brushing your hair
You are bound to get your hair tangled after a long day. Brush your hair before bed with a detangling brush to ensure there is less damage and breakage the next morning and keep your style in place, so you have to use less heat the next day.
Switching to silk or satin bedding
A silk pillow allows your hair to glide no matter how much you toss and turn in the night. This ensures your hair is silky and not frizzy and minimizes split ends making your hair easier to style in the morning.
So go ahead, follow these tips and give your hair a helping hand in looking beautiful and feeling perfect- your hair will definitely thank you for this.
(The author is the director at Tressmart, a luxury hair care portal.)