Who says you have to live with dry, lifeless hair that won't grow? With a few tips and tricks of the trade, you can be on your way to long, healthy hair!
STOP list
GO list
This Becky Bear would like to thank the LHC (Long Hair Community) for the wealth of information and help it has provided my hair and I over the years! Cheers! :-)
STOP list
- One of the most important things is to STOP the use of heated tools (blow driers, straighteners, curlers, etc)! They pretty much just fry your hair and suck all of the moisture out!
- STOP bleaching! Bleaching removes protein from your hair, thus weakening the hair shaft and making it brittle and break.
- STOP using SLS shampoos! SLS, or sodium laureth sulfate, is found in many commercial shampoos. However, it is also found in car washing soap, dish soap, and other harsh detergents. It dries out your hair something fierce by stripping all of the much neeed oils out of your hair!
- STOP washing your hair every day! If your scalp is greasy, its because you are overwashing your hair! Yes, this sounds backwards, but your scalp is trying to compensate for all the oils your daily shampooing is taking out.
- STOP piling your hair on your hair on your head when you wash it. This is just asking for breakage and tangles.
- STOP combing/brushing your hair while its wet! Hair is at its very weakest when wet and can easy break.
- STOP rubbing your hair with a towel when you get out of the shower. This causes breakage and frizziness.
- STOP wearing your hair down in the wind or for physical activity. This leads to tangles, which lead to damage and breakage.
- STOP using hair ties with metal pieces in them! They damage your hair!
- STOP getting trims every 6-8 weeks. Think about it. Your hair grows about 1/2" a month. If you get that trimmed off every month, your hair won't get any longer! If you are taking proper care of it, it won't need trimmed so often.
- STOP thinking that just because a product is expensive, its good for your hair. Many salon brands contain the afore said SLS in them!
- STOP using hair sprays/gels/mousses! They act like glue in your hair. How else do you think your style stays so well?
GO list
- GO buy yourself some organic extra virgin coconut oil. Coconut oil is absolutely wonderful for dry hair. It helps to prevent damage and protein/oil loss from shampoo. It also helps to moisturize your hair. Product details on my products page!
- GO do a deep conditioning treatment. This doesn't need to be anything fancy. It can be just your normal conditioner put in your hair and left under a shower cap for as long as you can stand. Product details on my products page!
- GO do a protein treatment. Protein treatments are great for damaged hair. They help to restore some of the lost protein. Product details on my products page!
- GO on youtube and watch TorrinPaige's videos. She has some great hair styling ideas that are heat free and great tips.
- GO invest in some SLS free shampoo. Product details on my products page!
- GO to Sally Beauty Suppy and buy a Tangle Teezer. This is the best brush ever for your hair. It will not rip your hair out and feels great on your scalp!
- GO and buy some hair sticks. Hair sticks do not have to be expensive and they are a great, damage free way to put your hair up. Where do you buy them? Look at my favorite sellers page! :-)
- GO and clarify. Clarifying your hair helps to remove all of the build up from products that may be waying down your hair. How often you need to do this depends on how much product you use (conditioners, hair sprays, mousse, etc). Product details on my products page!
- GO learn how to braid. Most people know this, but if you don't and you have long hair, you're in for a ride! Sure, you can get around not braiding, but it will make your life easier.... I promise!
- GO and eat a healthy diet! I eat a variety of meats and fruits/veggies and also take vitamins. You will notice a difference in your hair (and body!) if you eat healthier!
- GO and get some biotin vitamins. I take small doses of biotin for my hair, HOWEVER, you need to make sure that you are NOT taking massive doses of it. Massive doses have been known to cause acne.
- GO and look into a silk sleeping cap or silk pillowcase. This reduces the friction and breakage on your hair as you sleep!
- If you must dye your hair, GO look into henna. Henna is a natural hair dye taken from a plant and has none of the chemicals that commercial dye has. Product details on my products page.
- GO buy ribbon elastics or make them yourself. They are a great alternative to metal containing hair ties. Details on my products page!
- GO and check out www.longhaircommunity.com! It is an invaluable source and wealth of info for growing and maintaining healthy hair!
This Becky Bear would like to thank the LHC (Long Hair Community) for the wealth of information and help it has provided my hair and I over the years! Cheers! :-)