Hair: Learn to Love Your Hair

Is anyone ever happy with their hair? It doesn't seem like it! Either their hair is too wavy, too straight, too thin, too brittle, or some strange combination of those factors. Then, to make matters worse, the things people do to their hair to solve a problem often seem to create another hair crisis.

The first step to sanity is to accept reality. Most hair characteristics, such as texture and color, are genetic. You can't do much to change them, so you just have to learn to live with them -- at least for a while. What you can do is to make some decisions about the way you treat your hair. Learn about common hair problems and do whatever you can to keep your hair healthy and in good condition. FYI... Shampoos today are very effective, but the manufacturers instruct you to wash and repeat simply so you use more of their product.

BTW, most people lose about 100 - 150 hairs per day, but don't worry, you grow new ones. Check out all the Hair Loss pages for more on that topic.

Oily Hair

After dandruff, the main complaint of most teenagers is oily, greasy, or stringy hair. Unfortunately, your hair needs that oil. Glands in the scalp secrete oil for each of the hair's follicles. This oil actually allows the hair to slide through the scalp and protects the hair from the elements. The key is finding ways to cut down on some of those nasty oil spills. Wash your hair as often as you like, but use a mild shampoo and wash only once. You do not need to add a conditioner to oily hair. If you really want it drier, you can make it drier by having it permed or tinted.

Dry Hair

If you have dry hair, your scalp is producing less sebum than it should and you end up with dry, brittle hair. When the layer of oil in the hair is broken down, the moisture trapped below evaporates, leaving the hair to dry out and become more prone to damage. It isn't long before you end up with dry, unmanageable areas complete with split ends and broken shafts. You should wash it as infrequently as you can and use a mild shampoo with a cream conditioner afterwards. Leave the conditioner on for a few minutes before rinsing. Don't brush your hair out too much, try to comb it gently.  Dry hair is fragile hair!!!

The good news about hair is that it is programmed and designed to battle the elements. The cells in your hair shaft's thin outer layer, or cuticle, overlap like scales to protect the shaft's inner mass of fiber, called the cortex. This shaft is usually covered with a lubricant called sebum; that is the oily stuff.

The bad news is that you're in a constant state of combat with the environment. Sun, salt and chlorinated water draw moisture from the hair, strip away the sebum and damage the cuticle of the hair. If the cuticle scales crack or warp, the roughened hair surface loses its natural sheen and the fiber of the cortex frays, creating frizzy, dry hair.

Hair Tips

Here are some tips to keep your hair in shape:

Use conditioners. They won't necessarily give your hair a radiant glow, but they can coat the hair with a lubricant or synthetic that replaces the stripped out sebum. Some conditioners bond to the hair, helping to smooth the cuticle and restore sheen to the hair. Others cut down the static charges of flyaway hair.

Go easy on coloring, hot rollers and dryers -- especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

Remember, "perm" is short for "permanent" and although it is not permanent it can take a long time to grow out. If you really want to have it done, have a hairdresser do it and make sure they tell you the different options for your hair type.

Wear a hat in the sun. The sun dries your hair out, as it bleaches it too. Hats can be cute, fun and change your look.

Wear a bathing cap in pools or in salt water. Comb conditioner into your hair before you put the cap on and then wash your hair afterward. I know you think you will look like a dork, but chlorinated pool water can change your hair color. I know, I live in Florida and the water here is very chlorinated. So, it lightens and damages everyone's hair!

Dry your hair gently, by blotting and squeezing, not wringing or rubbing. Never brush wet hair. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb.

Whether your color is blonde, red, black or brown, you should know what you're getting into when you use hair dyes. The jury is still out on whether hair dyes cause long-term health problems, but it still pays to be cautious by following these tips:

Try to postpone the decision to dye your hair permanently for as long as possible. Learn to make the most of your natural color.

Dye your hair as little as possible, not just because you're sick of the last color. The more you use permanent dyes or go from one wild extreme to the next, the more likely you are to damage your hair.

Read hair dye instructions carefully. Leave the product on only as long as the instructions indicate and use it only in the amounts indicated.

Try highlights or streaking instead of coloring your entire head.

Talk with a cosmetologist who specializes in hair coloring. He or she may be able to give you some tips related to problem products.

Consider going to a professional hairdresser or "hair colorist" if you must dye your hair. They are the pros and will have a lot more experience than you or your friends.

If your shampoo isn't lathering, your hair most likely isn't wet enough! Add water, not more shampoo.

You do NOT have to switch shampoos (some say to change them weekly), you only need to change products if your hair goes through a change like if you perm it or color it.

Wash your hair with warm water! Don't use cold, even if your best bud says it is good for your hair. Shampoos are formulated to work best with warm water.

To eliminate frizz or to define curls use a wave enhancing shampoo like Back to Basics Get Curly Shampoo.

Don't pour shampoo onto your head! Pour it into your hands then work it through your hair.

Dandruff shampoos -- Massage them into your scalp, then leave the suds on for a few minutes before rinsing.

If greasy hair is a problem, use a deep cleansing shampoo like Clairol Herbal Essences Clarifying Shampoo.

Curly hair is often dry, so use a moisturizing shampoo like Neutrogena Clean Shampoo Replenishing.

Before conditioning, squeeze excess water from your hair (please be gentle) soaking wet strands don't absorb conditioner very well.

To strengthen strands try a protein-based conditioner like Pantene Pro-V Daily Treatment Conditioner.

AFTER conditioning rinse those locks with cool water to boost the circulation in your scalp and to increase the shine of your locks.

You'll know conditioner is all washed out when your hair feels slightly slippery.

DON'T pile your hair on top of your head (if it is long), this will only create knots.

DON'T brush wet hair, it can tear your hair, use a comb, more on that in Hair Tips.

Check out Hair Facts for hair trivia and more...

Check out: ' How What You Eat Can Affect Your Hair - as in what you eat makes a difference.

Having Medical Treatments for Female Hair Loss

Check out: Hair Loss - Good info and links too.

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