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Salon tips for transitioning into Spring

PHOTO BY PEYTON NEELY Batiste Dry Shampoo, sold at Sally’s Beauty Supply, is used between shampoos.

Hair comes in all different types from curly to straight, to colored to permed, and it’s important to know what products will help keep your hair shining and healthy, especially transitioning from winter to spring.

Spring brings the sunshine which means more exposure to harsh UV rays. It’s important to moisturize hair after enduring the cold winter months and begin preparation for the summer months.

“Not washing your hair every day is important,” said Anne Gray, owner and hairdresser at Serenity Now Hair Salon in Marietta. “It’s also good to get products that protect your hair from UV rays with the nicer weather coming.”

Depending on what type of hair you have determines how often you wash your hair. According to Gray, if you have thick, curly hair, you should be able to go longer in between washes. Thinner, finer hair usually needs washed more often then others.

According to WebMD, only a small group needs to shampoo daily, like those with very fine hair, someone who exercises a lot (and sweats), or someone living in very humid place. The thicker your hair and the less oil, the less often you need to shampoo. WebMD says for the average person ages 25 to 55, every other day, or every two to three days, without washing is generally fine.

PHOTO BY PEYTON NEELY Garnier Fructis Styling Sleek and Shine Flat Iron Perfector Straightening Mist protects hair against heat damage while adding extra shine.

Children up until they hit puberty should wash their hair every day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Seniors tend to not need to wash their hair as often as younger generations as they usually have lower activity rates, sweat less and can have coarse hair. Many seniors may only need to wash their hair once per week and style once per week.

If you do have to wash your hair every day, use sulfate-free shampoos as they won’t dry out your hair and will help preserve your natural oils. Gray also mentioned products that help in keeping color safe and balancing out the natural oils in your hair.

“Not washing your hair every day keeps your hair moisturized naturally,” she said. “This time of year, moisturizing and hydrating your hair is important.”

Bekah Snyder, 20, of Marietta, works for Sally’s Beauty Supply. She suggested the Hair Chemist Coconut Oil Deep Repair Masque for extra hydration.

“Any hair mask is beneficial for your hair,” she said. “Sleeping in them overnight will add extra hydration when needed. It’s especially important on dry and damaged hair.”

Hair masks are good for hair that’s thick and curly. They can be added to your hair to replenish the natural oils some hair lacks when people wash their hair every day. If you’re looking for something organic, avocado masks can be made at home. Just combine two egg whites with half of a mashed-up avocado and leave it in hair for 15 minutes. After, simply wash and condition your hair. It’s a fast and inexpensive natural remedy that leaves hair super smooth.

Snyder suggested a dry shampoo when you want to skip washes. Batiste Dry Shampoo can be found at many drug stores and grocery stores. It’s an inexpensive, safe alternative to washing your hair. This also reduces use of heat products on your hair.

“I’ve never heard that dry shampoo is bad for your hair,” said Gray. “I have heard if you use it in areas that need more attention, like your part and your bangs, then it’s OK. I wouldn’t recommend replacing regular shampoo with dry shampoo completely.”

Dry shampoo doesn’t actually cleanse the scalp and the product buildup throws off the balance of your hair’s natural oils that keep it healthy, but according to Suave Hair Care’s website, it isn’t harmful to your hair either.

The term “dry shampoo” is confusing because it has nothing to do with cleaning hair in the same way as traditional shampoo but rather adds a formulation of dry powder that absorbs oil.

PHOTO BY PEYTON NEELY The Wet Brush sold at Sally’s Beauty Supply is used to detangle wet hair and prevent breakage.

Even if your hair feels and looks cleaner after you use dry shampoo, it isn’t and you still need to wash it.

“Using dry shampoo may cause people not to wash their hair to remove oil and build-up,” said Gray. “You want to do some type of regular washing of scalp and hair.”

Washing your hair every day as a man is just as damaging as it is to women who have longer hair.

“A lot of men wash their hair every day,” said Tyler Preston, instructor at Preston’s Beauty Academy. “Washing your hair every day can totally change the texture. I had one client who would wash his hair every day and I told him to try to wait a few days before washing and the next time he came in, it was a total change. Washing your hair will totally dry out your hair.”

Heat is another problem for damaging hair. Instead of using a blow dryer, try reaching for a terrycloth towel. This is a tradition used by many Mexican women who will wrap a towel very tightly around their hair after showering and wear it until hair is dry. Letting your hair air dry is also good for keeping your hair healthy.

“If you are using heat, make sure you have some kind of protectant on your hair,” said Gray. “Without a thermal protectant, you’re just frying your hair.”

In the dog days of summer, when your blow dryer suddenly feels like a blowtorch, try setting your hair in Velcro rollers to air-dry. The end result will be lush, bouncy, free-flowing curls.

According to Chelsea Cobb, an instructor at Preston’s Beauty Academy in Marietta, thermal protectants can also be used when you’re planning on spending long amounts of time in the sun.

“If you use a heat protectant for your hair then your hair is less likely to dry out,” she said. “Wearing a hat is always a safe alternative too and trying to avoid all heat in general.”

That means hot water as well. Garnier USA’s website suggested trying an arctic rinse will cool your hair down by turning off the hot water at the end of the shower. It sounds unpleasant, but this instantly seals each cuticle so it reflects natural light more easily and provides optimal shine and radiance. Also, blow drying your hair with the cool setting on also cools your hair down after styling.

Wind is another natural disaster for our hair. The solution is simple; braid your hair. According to Womensrunning.com, braiding your hair creates one single rope-like structure leaving the majority of your strands are protected by the braid itself and only the surface of the braid sees any potential damage.

“Braids are always a way to protect your hair from anything,” said Gray. “Even at night when you sleep.”

Nine bad hair habits you need to stop

– Towel drying your hair too hard. It could actually be damaging your hair, especially at that critical time when it’s wet and more fragile than ever. Go easy on your hair and pat rather than rub.

– Although hair dryers and straighteners can get super hot, you can spare your hair and turn down the level of heat. Stick to a medium or lower settings for healthy hair.

– When you do use curlers or straighteners on your hair, you should try to protect your strands to prevent damage. Spritz hair with a heat protective spray or massage in a protective cream.

– Wet hair is much more fragile and more likely to split. Stick to a wide-toothed comb instead of your usual hairbrush.

– While most of us wash makeup brushes, we often forget about our hairbrush. Pull out stray hairs before brushing and give it a good clean in some hot water and baking soda to clean out any impurities you may have previously brushed out.

– Even if you’re not keeping up a color or high-maintenance hairstyle, you still should try to book an appointment every six to eight weeks, even if it’s for the tiniest trim. This will keep your hair looking healthy and may encourage growth. It will also help remove any split ends.

– Pulling your hair into a tight bun or ponytail can hurt and damage your hair, causing brittle hair to break. Try other hairstyles like a loose side ponytail or a low bun instead.

– Too much product can cause build-up on your hair, creating that greasy hair feeling that you may need to wash more. Be sure to follow the product instructions and use the designated amounts.

Source: Garnierusa.com

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