Guide for Proper At-Home Hair Care

Maintaining your hair is relatively easy with the right kind of steps. Hair is made up of proteins, so keeping a healthy diet, regular exercise, and good hygiene is an essential part of maintaining luscious locks. In-between appointments it's important to be mindful of how you are treating your hair. Much like brushing and flossing your teeth are important in between dentist visits! Here are some things you should do at home to maintain your beautiful hair.

 
 
File_000.jpeg

Proper amounts of product for most heads of hair.

Proper Washing

- Wash hair sparingly and use a good-quality professional salon shampoo, free of sulfates and parabens. We recommend HairStory and Innersense Organic Beauty Products because of their nourishing, high quality ingredients, and sustainable green culture. Washing hair too often can leave hair dried out, leached of its natural oils, and may damage your hair. Aim to wash your hair at most every other day or only once to twice a week. Be sure to focus only on the scalp when shampooing, the rest of your hair will be cleansed when rinsing.

- Condition every time you shampoo your hair, although very processed or colored hair definitely needs a little more love than virgin hair. Apply conditioner to the ends only and let stay for 2-3 minutes (but if you suffer from dry/itchy scalp you will benefit from conditioning the scalp as well). Deep condition once a week. Using Eufora Moisture Masque, apply all over your head from scalp to ends and leave on for 30-60 minutes, you can also leave these products on overnight. Deep conditioning is very good for your hair. It keeps hair soft, healthy and moisturized.


Water Temperature

- Washing in warm water vs cold: While warm water opens a hair's cuticle to allow shampoo and conditioner to do their job, cold water helps to close the cuticle and seal in moisture from the conditioner — which helps your hair look shiny and healthy. So, by all means, take a warm shower, but at the end, rinse with cold water. For color-treated hair, stick to lukewarm or cooler water temperatures. Super-hot water fades color out of hair faster and strips the color because it opens the surface of the hair strand, which causes the color molecules to escape. 

With Vivid Hair/Fantasy Colors, 
ALWAYS USE COLD WATER! 

File_001.jpeg

no-hair-dryer-and-curling-iron.jpg

Hot tools

- Whenever you can, let hair dry naturally. Only use a Wet Brush or wide tooth comb to brush out tangles while hair is wet. If you have to use a blow-dryer, apply a thermal protection product like HairStory's DressedUp, air dry until hair is 70%-80% dry and dry your hair using the lowest temperature setting and limit usage to once a week. 

- Styling by itself won't overly damage your hair, but repeated stylings multiple times per week put some serious strain on hair. If you use any kind of heat styling tools, be sure to use a thermal protectant! A very important part of heat styling is using the proper temperature, fine hair should only be ironed/curled at a low setting, below 280 degrees, (the same goes for damaged or chemically treated hair). Normal hair can be ironed at 250-300 and thick, coarse or extra curly hair at 300-350, no one should be ironing their hair with 400-450 degree heat. So you want to go out on Saturday night and need your hair straightened. That's fine. Just make it an occasional treat, not an everyday thing. 


poolhair.jpg

SWIMMERS

– If you spend a lot of time in a swimming pool, wet your dyed hair and apply a protective leave-in conditioner like Innersense Organic Beauty’s Sweet Spirit, before you get wet to help prevent the chlorine from damaging your color, because the chemicals in chlorine can build up and cause haircolor—especially lighter colors--to shift to an unattractive green hue. Or, wear a swim cap to keep your hair dry.


SBS-260122.jpg

sLEEPING

- Satin pillowcases help to prevent frizzing and roughing of the cuticle on any hair texture and can help to prolong styles, whether your hair is kinky, curly, wavy or straight. Standard 100-percent cotton pillowcases are moisture-sucking and cause a lot of friction, which can cause significant hair breakage. Also, don't skip regular trims!


Regular hair cuts

- Cutting the ends of your hair doesn't affect the follicles in your scalp, which determine how fast and how much your hair grows. Hair grows an average of a quarter-inch to an inch every month—whether or not you cut it. BUT, if you are not cutting off split ends they will continue to split up the hair shaft much like a piece of frayed rope. Regular trims help keep your haircut's shape as it grows, improve the look and feel of your hair. By trimming unhealthy split ends, hair will have less breakage and flyaway's, making it look thicker and even shinier. On average a client should visit the salon every 3 months or less depending on the style to maintain their haircut.

118999795-copy-56a0a72d3df78cafdaa3a35d.jpg

61Fsy64b0EL._SL1272_.jpg

Putting hair up

- Lastly, try not to use hairstyles that tightly pin or pull the hair back. You run the risk of thinning your hair line from the stress of always being tightly pulled back. Instead, experiment with up-dos: a simple ponytail or chignon looks clean and requires very few hair products. Satin Scrunchies are so much better for your hair than traditional hair ties. You could also just keep your hair down and wear a headband.


Hair Towels

- Depending on the type and condition, hair can be up to 57% weaker when wet. Rubbing it with a coarse cotton towel or other looped fibers creates friction, which can cause excess damage by snagging and ripping uplifted cuticles (cue frizz and split ends). For the love of hair, discover a better, faster, healthier way to dry. One that’s based in truth and knowledge. Aquis Hair Towels are available here. They cut drying time by 50%, restore strength, reduces frizz & breakage, color stays vibrant longer, and enhance smoothness & shine. 


61cybnECqtL._SX522_.jpg

Hair supplements

- Some research suggests that biotin (part of the B complex vitamins) may improve hair growth and thinning hair. Many experts recommend a biotin supplement for hair health because it’s water-soluble (meaning your body excretes what it doesn’t need) and doesn’t have any side effects. In other words: Why not? Other good sources of biotin: almonds and avocados. We are not doctors, and recommend based on our own personal experiences with our own hair and the hair of our client's, consult your doctor prior to adding any supplement to your regimen. We love Moon Juice Products!


Essential Oils for Hair

img_5cd8f324c9099.jpg

1. Lavender essential oil

Lavender oil can speed up hair growth. Knowing that lavender oil has properties that can generate the growth of cells and reduce stress, researchers on one animal study found that this oil was able to generate faster hair growth in mice.

It also has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, which can improve scalp health.

Mix several drops of lavender oil into 3 tablespoons of carrier oil, and apply it directly to your scalp. Leave it in for at least 10 minutes before washing it out and shampooing as you normally would. You can do this several times per week.

2. Peppermint essential oil

Peppermint oil can cause a cold, tingling feeling when it increases circulation to the area it’s applied to. This can help promote hair growth during the anagen (or growing) phase.

One study found that peppermint oil, when used on mice, increased the number of follicles, follicle depth, and overall hair growth.

Mix 2 drops of peppermint essential oil with the carrier oil of your choice. Massage it into your scalp, and leave on for 5 minutes before washing out thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner.

3. Rosemary essential oil

If you want to improve both hair thickness and hair growth, rosemary oil is a great choice thanks to its ability to improve cellular generation.

According to one study, rosemary oil performed as well as minoxidil, a common hair growth treatment, but with less scalp itching as a side effect.

Mix several drops of rosemary oil with olive or coconut oil, and apply it to your scalp. Leave it in for at least 10 minutes before washing it out with shampoo. Do this twice per week for best results.

4. Cedarwood essential oil

Cedarwood essential oil is thought to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss by balancing the oil-producing glands in the scalp. It also has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, which can treat different conditions that may contribute to dandruff or hair loss.

Included in a mixture with lavender and rosemary, cedarwood extract was also found to reduce hair loss in those with alopecia areata.

Mix a few drops of cedarwood essential oil with 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil of your choice. Massage it into your scalp, and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it out.

5. Lemongrass essential oil

Dry scalp (often confused as Dandruff) can be a common ailment, and having a healthy, flake-free scalp is an important part of hair health. Lemongrass oil is an effective dandruff treatment, with one 2015 study finding that it significantly reduced dandruff after one week.

Lemongrass oil for dandruff is most effective when used daily. Mix a few drops into your shampoo or conditioner daily, and make sure it’s massaged into your scalp.

6. Thyme essential oil

Thyme can help promote hair growth by both stimulating the scalp and actively preventing hair loss. Like cedarwood oil, thyme oil was also found to be helpful in treating alopecia areata.

Thyme is particularly strong, even among essential oils. Put only 2 small drops in 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil before applying it to your scalp. Leave it on for about 10 minutes, then wash it out.

7. Clary sage essential oil

Clary sage oil contains the same linalyl acetate that helps make lavender oil so effective in increasing hair growth. It can improve hair strength, in addition to increasing hair growth, making hair more difficult to break.

Mix 3 drops of clary sage oil with your favorite conditioner, or with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. If using it daily, rinse out after 2 minutes. If using it once or twice per week, leave it on for 10 minutes.

8. Tea tree essential oil

Tea tree oil has powerful cleansing, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. When used topically, it can help unplug hair follicles and increase hair growth.

Tea tree oils come in many concentrations, so it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s directions. Some are highly concentrated essential oils, and other products are mixed in a cream or oil.

2013 study even found that a mixture containing tea tree oil and minoxidil was more effective than just the minoxidil alone in improving hair growth, though more studies are needed on using tea tree oil only.

A review in 2015 found tea tree is commonly used in anti-dandruff treatment products.

You can mix 10 drops of tea tree essential oil into your shampoo or conditioner and use it daily. Or, you can mix 3 drops with 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil, and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it out.

9. Ylang-ylang essential oil

While those with oily hair and skin would want to skip this one, ylang-ylang oil is ideal for those with dry scalps, as it can stimulate sebum production.

As lack of enough oil and sebum causes hair to become dry and brittle, ylang-ylang can improve hair texture and reduce hair breakage.

Mix 5 drops of essential ylang-ylang oil with 2 tablespoons of warm oil. Massage it into your scalp, and wrap your head with a warm towel. Leave it in for 30 minutes before washing it out. Ylang-ylang can also be found in preparations such as shampoo or creams.


images.jpg

Vegetables for hair growth

- Full of edible fiber, spinach is a rich source of iron and zinc in addition to other essential vitamins and minerals. These two particular minerals are highly necessary for the hair, as the absence of zinc and iron often leads to hair loss in many people.

- Carrots are a rich store of Vitamin B7 or Biotin that is considered a healthy tonic for the hair. Biotin is essential for hair re-growth. At the same time, it helps to strengthen the hair roots so that hair does not fall out easily.

- Onions are also a helpful nutrient for the hair. It is an affluent source of zinc, iron and Biotin, all of which are needful for hair growth. In addition to hair growth, onion is a wonderful vegetable that helps in preventing the premature graying of hair.

- Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta-carotene. Our body transforms beta-carotene into Vitamin A. Beta-carotene is required for cell repair within the body. Sweet potatoes fulfill the dearth of Vitamin A to a large extent.

- Tomatoes are rich sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants are also effective cell-repairing agents. They help to remove impurities and toxins from the surface of the scalp. Tomatoes help to improve the shine and luster of the hair.

- Beetroots contain lycopene that helps to stimulate hair growth. 

- Curry leaves contain keratin, which is considered an ideal tonic for hair growth and offers you lustrous hair.

- French beans are the richest source of Vitamins A and E. Vitamin E is highly needful for improving the luster and volume of hair. It also protects your hair from premature graying.

- Another rich store of keratin and Vitamin E, green chilies are excellent for fostering hair growth. It also helps to repair the damaged cells of the scalp in order to promote new hair follicles.


If you follow the tips in this guide along with the advice given to you verbally during your hair appointment, you are sure to have the best hair of your life! Never hesitate to contact us with questions!

Thank you for reading, enjoy your hair!