22 Hair Dos and Don'ts

To keep your hair looking its best every day, follow this simple guide. These dos and don’ts will keep your hair in tiptop shape and fashion-forward style.

Shiny and healthy hair is everyone’s dream. Yet, there is no overnight formula to get beautiful hair. It’s the daily hair care routine, that will help to keep your hair looking its best every day.

 And here are 22 Hair Dos and Don'ts which you must add up in your daily hair care routine: 

1. Don’t Over Wash Your Hair: If you wash your hair every single day, it will strip off the natural oils from your hair, leaving it dull, dry, and lackluster. How often should you wash your hair will depend on your activity level. Don’t let the grease and oil build up on your scalp, as not washing it enough can make your scalp scaly and itchy. The key is to figure out what is optimum for you.

2. Don’t Style Your Hair When Wet:Your hair is most delicate and fragile when wet, and therefore combing or styling straight after shower is a big NO. Combing wet hair tends to stretch the strands, which causes wear and tear, and split ends. Use a wide-toothed comb to untangle. Start at the ends, gently working your way up towards the roots.
Hair tip: Let your hair dry 80 t0 90 percent before styling.

3. Don’t Tie Your Hair Too Tight:Tying your hair in tight ponytails, braids and headbands stretches the hair shaft, causing it to break. It can also lead to condition called traction alopecia, a form of hair loss which is caused by constant pulling of hair. In long term your hair might permanently stop growing  from areas it is pulled most from and cause a permanent bald patch.

4. Don’t Brush Too Hard. Brushing too hard is the fastest route to hair breakage. Do you brush faster when you’re in a hurry? Tried to remove a knot or tangle by forcing the brush through your hair? Both are major no-no’s when it comes to brushing hair. By brushing too hard, you yank your hair straight from the root while causing excessive breakage. The result is messy, uneven, and simply sad strands.

5. Don’t forget to keep regular scheduled appointments with your stylist. Making an appointment for a trim every 4 to 6 weeks will leave your hair in tiptop condition.

6. Don’t Overdo The Appliances: Excess heat from styling tools such as blow drier or flat-iron will make your hair dry, rough, and brittle, and also cause split ends. You do not need heating tools to make your hair look good. Use a natural smoothing serum to get that sleek and glossy look. Get creative and style without heat.

7. Don't be quick to dismiss products as ineffective. It may take some time for your hair to respond to the products you introduce to it. Trying something once and not getting the results you desire doesn't properly attest to the effectiveness of a product.

8. Don’t Swim Unprotected: The chlorine or salty sea can strip the sebum (scalp’s natural oils) out of your hair, leaving it unprotected, and in the long run cause lot of damage – drying it out, causing frail hair, and even altering the hair colour.
Before going for a swim consider applying a leave-in conditionercontaining coconut oil or the oil itself. The uniqueness of coconut oil is that it not only coats the hair shaft but due to its low molecular size it can also penetrates deep inside the hair shaft and offer full protection. Even when you are using a swim cap it’s better to apply a leave-in conditioner for extra safety.

9.Do a regular oil massage:  Head massage is a great way to treat your scalp and hair. A gentle oil massage with your finger tips moisturises the hair and scalp, and stimulates blood flow to the roots of your hair. Increased blood supply brings with it essential nutrients that are required for healthy hair growth.

10. Do eat foods rich in skin and hair enhancing essential fatty acids. By taking care of your diet, the state of your inner health will reflect in the condition of your hair. Be kind to yourself.

11. Do cover your hair while sleeping. When you go to bed, cover your head with silk stuff because cotton and other garments absorb the moisture content from your hair and leave them dry and frizzy. You can also use a silk stuffed pillow instead. 

12. Do invest in a good hair cut. Caring for your locks becomes so much easier when you are sporting a fabulous ‘wash and wear’ style.

13. Do a hair treatment once a week. Choose correct time intervals and your taste depending upon the condition of your hair. Like I've chosen coconut treatment and go for it weekly since my hair are too dry. 

14. Do brush your hair each morning. This will help remove dust, dirt and loose scales. It also stimulates the blood supply and distributes sebum along the hair shaft.

15. Do brush your hair at night before going to bed. If your hair is long, tilt your head forward and brush from the base of the head forward.

16. Do exfoliate your scalp. Use a scalp exfoliating mask 1-2 times a month. It will keep your skin healthy, clean and vibrant. We know that regulate exfoliation is crucial for your face and body and your scalp deserves the same love! 

17. Do use serum before hair styling. To protect hair from hair damage, use a strengthening hair serum everytime you're about to use hot tools to style your hair. Vitamins B5 and E prepare hair for hair styling and create a barrier which protects you hair from direct heat. Start from your hair ends and move the serum up towards the roots.

18. Do read the labels. Shampoos and conditioners can contain synthetic detergents, alcohol and many other harmful ingredients, causing dry and itchy scalp. Get into the habit of checking label before buying personal care products. Ingredients like Amla, Retha and Sekakai are safer option in shampoo for those who wash their hair more frequently as they are mild and don't strip natural oils from your hair. In case of being unaware of any ingredient, you can check it on www.ewg.org for details. 

19. Do tone on a regular basis. Toning involves regular massage of the scalp. This stimulates the blood supply to the root of the hair follicle.

20.Do nourish your scalp with oil twice weekly. This will help to soften and strengthen graying hair. Choose from almond, coconut or extra-virgin olive oil. Soak a cotton ball in the oil and dab on to the scalp, leave for half an hour then wash with very warm water. Finish with a cold rinse to flatten the cuticle of the hair. The result? Softer, smoother, manageable hair.

21. Natural drying is best for your hair. Do allow your hair to dry naturally as often as possible. Use a highly absorbent towel to mop up excess moisture then finger dry.

22. Do protect your hair from Sun damage. Just like skin, your hair too need to be protected from Sun's direct exposure to avoid any harsh affect of UV (Ultraviolet) rays. Wear a hat or scarf when spending longer time in the sun. 

Congratulations, you’ve made it to the promised land of healthier hair! If you continue to use these helpful hair commandments in your natural hair care routine, your locks will be shining at their truest potential in no time. Do follow me for such more inspiring facts, hacks and much more.                   

             Thank you.