LIVE CHAT
Your hair is a mirror of your body's overall well-being. When you aren't eating well, getting enough rest, or operating at the peak of health, your hair loses its luster and strength.
It takes more than just finding the right shampoo. To keep your tresses in tip-top shape, try following these hair-care basics from fashion model Dawn Gallagher, author of Naturally Beautiful: Earth's Secrets and Recipes for Skin, Body and Spirit:
- Wash hair in warm (not hot) water, and rinse in cool water to stimulate the circulation in your scalp.
- Blot wet hair with a towel rather than pull or wring. Wet hair is very fragile and vulnerable to breakage. Too much stress on wet hair can strip it of elasticity.
- Avoid blow drying, or (if unavoidable) be sure to set your dryer on cool and stop just before your hair is dry.
- Flip your head upside down and fluff hair away form the scalp with your fingers, comb or brush. When your hair dries, it will look fuller.
- Use a wide-tooth comb. If your hair is long, comb it in sections starting at the bottom and working up to the roots. This will avoid snarls.
- Hair that's properly conditioned should resist tangling. If your hair does get knotted, don't yank it. Gently pull the knot apart with your fingers and then comb it out, always beginning at the bottom.
- Use a natural-bristle brush daily to stimulate the circulation of your scalp. Nylon bristles are hard on hair and cause split ends.
- Wear a hat or a good sunscreen on your hair. Just like skin, exposure to too much sun and wind can damage and dry out hair.
- Rubber bands break hair. Opt for accessories with fabrics tied around the bands.
- Proper nutrition is essential to keeping hair fit. Avoid overindulgence in sugar, caffeine and soda.
- Hair loss and damage due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, sickness and stress can often be reversed through an improved diet, plenty of water, fresh air, exercise, daily relaxation and scalp massage.
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