Basic Hair Care Tips

Each strand of hair begins life in a little nodule known as papilla, which is attached to a hair follicle. Blood supply enables the papilla to produce hair, the follicles holds the root of the hair which is below the surface of the skin or scalp. The visible part of the root is called the shaft. Hair is basically dead because it no longer receives nourishment form the papilla. That’s why the condition and health of your hair depends on how well you care for it.

Here’s a list of do’s and don’ts for your hair:

Shampoo your hair

You must shampoo hair to get rid of oil, grime and dirt. How often depends on the individual – some need shampoo every day, while others can do it every couple of days. It’s important to get shampoo that suitable for your hair type. When applying shampoo to your hair, dilute it a little with water as most shampoos are concentrated. Spread the shampoo evenly through the hair and massage the scalp using the pads of your fingers. Never use fingernails to scrub (this is harmful to the scalp and may damage hair). Rinse thoroughly and shampoo again. If you shampoo everyday, you only need to shampoo once. Rinse thoroughly until hair is clean.

Use conditioner

Just a moisturizer is essential for skin, so is conditioner for hair. Conditioners add moisture to dry hair, making it smooth and more manageable, and helps prevent split ends and breakage. Use conditioner sparingly; apply to the ends where hair is driest. Leave for a minute, then rinse off thoroughly.

Use good hairbrush

Invest in a good hairbrush made from natural animal bristles, or look for those with smooth, rounded bristles. Brushing does have it benefits – it helps massage the scalp, removes dead cells and distributes sebum evenly through the hair to give it a healthy shine.

Take extra care for drying hair

Take extra care when drying hair, because hair is most fragile when wet and breaks easily. Instead of rubbing hair vigorously with a towel, squeeze excess water out and pat gently. Use a wide tooth comb or brush to remove tangles.

Let hair dry naturally.

It’s best to let hair dry naturally. If you must use hairdryer, don’t hold it too close to the hair. Avoid high temperature settings, as it will cause hair to become dry, dull and brittle in the long run.