Heed these tips to avoid breakage and grow long, strong hair
Heed these tips to get your hair as long and healthy-looking as it can be.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2019/01/03C06473.jpg)
While many of us dream of long, thick, luscious locks and put a lot of time, effort and money into hair-care, genetics play a big role in exactly how thick your hair is, the texture, colour and even length that it can grow to.
One can try their upmost to have their hair as healthy and long as it can be, and by heeding the following tips you’ll do just that.
Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan recommended the following:
1. Resist the urge to go blonde: Transitioning from a darker to lighter shade takes its toll on your hair, leaving it more susceptible to breaking.
2. Get frequent trims: By trimming a little off your hair often, you won’t have to cut a big amount off at once. This way your hair will grow healthier and longer in general.
Check this out: 8 tips to make thin hair thicker
https://giphy.com/gifs/redken-makeup-xT39DmUZZQkN9sDuAE
3. Distribute your hair’s natural oils: By brushing your hair before going to bed, you distribute the oils that your body actually makes to nourish your hair, along the length of your hair to the more dry ends.
4. Avoid heat styling tools: If you’re unable to cut the styling, at least try lower the temperature of the appliance and use a heat protectant.
5. Eat the right things: Nourishing your body with a balanced diet, high in nutrients and healthy oils, you’ll see an improvement in your skin, eye and hair health.
Check this out: 8 super cute hairstyles for African hair
6. Add a vitamin to your morning routine: Some of us just don’t get all that we need from our diet, and for this, using a hair, skin and nails multivitamin can do the world of difference for us.
7. Skip the daily shampoo and use conditioner every time you do wash your hair: By washing your hair daily, you strip it of natural oils. Initially you will struggle with the oils, but after increasing and sticking to the amount of time between washes your hair finds its balance again. Always focus on washing your scalp and conditioning the ends of your hair.
This may assist you: 8 tips to combat oily hair
8. Finish off a shower with a cool rinse: Hot water does neither your skin nor hair much good. Cleansing your hair under cool water causes the cuticles to be sealed again, locking in all the goodness and protecting your hair from damage.
9. Avoid brushing wet hair: This is when your hair is most susceptible to breakage. If you must brush your wet hair, rather opt for a wide-tooth comb.
10. Trendy ‘cleanses’ may be wrecking havoc on your hair: While they may be beneficial to your digestion or such, cleanses deprive your hair of nutrients. A slower growth rate will be noticeable for weeks following a cleanse.
Check this out: Keep your hair hydrated, healthy and protected
11. Indulge in a silk pillowcase: Silk is easier on your hair, preventing tangles and breakage. Silk pillowcases are also great for your skin!
12. Pay attention to your skin: If your skin is feeling dry, stripped, waxy, sticky, greasy or heavy, its generally not doing much good to your hair – regardless of how shiny it may make it initially look!
13. Treat your hair to a mask or oil mask weekly: What you put in, you get out. By leaving a mask (oil or not) on your hair once a week, you’ll be sure to see results. Hair that touches your shoulders or beyond can generally be a couple of years old, and needs a little more TLC than conditioning can offer.
A great one: Get silky, hydrated hair with egg hair masks or 11 wonderful things you can do with coconut oil
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)