Taking care of your hair can feel so overwhelming these days. With all the advice Tiktok has to offer, and the millions of products Target carries, it’s hard to know what is best in order to keep your hair healthy and clean. We talked to a few hair care experts and these are the top five tips for maintaining healthier hair all year.
This article is sponsored by VEGAMORE
Hair Nutrients
Kristina from Hair With Kristina starts “Let me begin by saying that your hair’s health is directly affected by your personal health. If you’re dealing with a health issue and your hair or nails have suddenly changed, that’s likely the cause. Tell your doctor about these changes and ask them how best to proceed. Usually adding a Biotin vitamin will help.” She adds “It is important to understand, overuse of protein on hair makes the hair become stiff & brittle resulting in breakage. Hair needs fat & protein in order to be strong and flexible. Check with your stylist before adding any new treatments to your regimen.”
In order to know what types of hair treatments are best for you, you need to know what type of hair you have. Is it fine, coarse, curly, thinning? If you’re not sure, try taking this quiz from Vegamour.
When it comes to treatments for keeping up with your healthy hair, Amy Brandt from Salon Allure recommends talking to your stylist about what type of treatments will benefit you. “The majority of salons offer protein, moisture and purifying treatments to lock in moisture and protect color.”
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At the salon
Taryn Scafide from Head Rush Studios emphasizes the importance of seeing a stylist to keep up with your hair. She recommends getting a trim every 8 – 12 weeks if you are trying to grow it out. Otherwise, go every 6 – 8 weeks for Short hair or to maintain a style.
When choosing a stylist, Kristina stresses the importance of getting to know who you’re working with. “I always suggest reading all reviews before choosing a salon or stylist. You probably will want to book a consultation first as well. “If you are going to a big change or major color service, always book a consultation. Be sure to talk about budget, aftercare, products and how often you will need to visit the salon to keep up this look.” She also reminds us how important it is to let your stylist know about your hair history! Have you colored it recently? Had an issue with serious breakage? Let them know!
Amy points out the importance of quality products “Your artist will guide you through your perfect regimen of at-home care. Leave-in treatments and conditioners are a MUST for hair color guests and your stylist will know best.”
When it comes to washing
“Washing hair too frequently can cause breakage, color fade and dryness on both the hair and the scalp. Scalp dryness can lead to irritations, infections and other issues.” Every person is different, so Kristina suggests making a journal to keep track of how long you should go between washes.
Tayrn says to do your best and avoid washing your hair every day, “I know I know, some jobs or hair textures require it. Every fourth or fifth shampoo, rotate in a clarifying shampoo.” She notes that “In the summer during swimming season, you can use it more. Just make sure to use a heavier conditioner or mask after clarifying.”
Amy says to deep cleanse 1 – 4 times a month. Not all deep cleansing shampoos are the same so be sure to use high-quality products. This will remove any unwanted buildup from medication, environment, minerals in water and chlorine from swimming.
When it comes to heat
Using heat on your hair is nerve-wracking because it can potentially cause a lot of damage. Taryn points out that hair takes 30 minutes to fully cool down after being heated up with hot tools. “If possible, wait to brush out curls for that amount of time. It will help them to last the maximum amount of time without falling.”
When using heat on your hair, be sure to use some kind of protectant. “The easiest way to protect your hair from damage is to add a heat-protecting oil while your hair is wet.” Heat protectant is key!
Daily Care
Taryn recommends sleeping on a silk pillowcase or bonnet with dry hair. “Avoid going to bed with wet hair in a messy bun; it causes so much long-term damage.”
If you use a dry shampoo in between washes, make sure you brush it all the way through you hair and off your scalp. If left sitting on the scalp, some dry shampoos can actually cause build-up and irritation — no one wants that!
Amy adds that hair ties can be serious hair killers. “Keep hair ties loose. Too tight of a wrap can cause stress and breakage”.
When in doubt, talk to your stylist. They will know what hair care routine will work best for you and any issue you may be facing. And remember, while they may be a little more expensive, high-quality hair products are a must for long-term care and to keep your hair hydrated, thicker and fuller!
Vegamour is a holistic approach to hair wellness that incorporates clinically tested plant-based ingredients that work in tandem to promote healthy, beautiful hair naturally, without the use of harmful chemicals or short-term ‘fixes’ that can lead to long-term problems.
Katy Cawley
Katy is an entrepreneur, a social media know it all, and a lover of all the vintage things. She started Katy's Flower Wagon in 2020, having recently sold that business to pursue other creative endeavors. She has been working with Sass Magazine as well as local businesses as a social media manager. You can catch her around town snapping pictures, collaborating with local businesses, and working on all things Sass!
Fun facts -
1. She went to University of Maryland
2. She has a dog sidekick named Stitch
3. She shares a birthday with Julie Andrew's
4. You should follower her @adventuresinkatyland
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