Hair care tips

Brush your hair regularly before going to bed each night. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Use very little but enough to cover

hair completely with lather. Use a conditioner to keep hair manageable. Avoid brushing wet hair. This will cause the hair to stretch and

finally break. Finger-dry, or use a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush to gently remove the knots.
Restrict blow-drying your hair. The process of blow-drying is harsh on hair as it robs it of moisture.
Avoid dyes. Use mehandi (henna) instead as a conditioner and colouring agent. Take a calcium supplement or drink two glasses of milk a day.
Always hold hair dryer away from your hair. Direct air from the hair dryer down hair shaft and not directly into the roots and keep it

moving. After a perm, never brush your hair. Instead comb hair gently. Trim your hair once in 7 weeks to avoid split ends.
Avoid pulling back your hair tightly. Never use a rubber band on your hair as it can pull and damage hair

considerably. Never go out in the sun without having your head covered. Stimulate circulation by massaging your head with oil to which some

vitamin E has been added. This will make hair soft and silky. Never wash your hair with very hot or very cold water.
Learn to relax. Hair loss can happen because of stress. Eat foods that are rich in vitamin B, C and E. Add iron and minerals in the natural form in your diet. If your hair is oily, cut down on fried food and fat. Drink plenty of water

Dry Hair

Dry hair is due to inactive oil glands. It is also caused by other factors like over exposure to the sun, using harsh shampoo and chemical

treatment. Accumulated oil, block the pores not allowing the oil to flow on to the surface. This is another reason for dry hair. Dry hair

would need plenty of nourishment.

Massage well with a warm herbal oil at least twice a week. Follow a diet rich in zinc. Use a mild shampoo and avoid harsh ones since the

chemicals in them can strip hair of its outer protein layer, further drying the scalp. Do not use electric curlers and hair dryers.

Oily Hair
This is usually accompanied with oily skin. This is due to the over secretion of oil. Hence the scalp and hair gets too oily. Oily hair is

easily recognizable. It looks greasy even after shampooing and and attracts more dirt. The oily hair needs to be washed every third or fourth day or even more frequently depending on individual comfort and rinsed out with lemon. Use oils and shampoos rich in neem and henna. A head massage with a herbal oil helps maintain the pH level of the scalp. Avoid oily foods and binge on green leafy vegetables and fruits.

To figure out your hair type:

Dab a tissue on your scalp the second day after wash. If it has an oil blot, you have normal hair. If the tissue shows nothing, it is dry. If strands stick to each other then it is greasy hair .


Balanced or Normal Hair

This is the most ideal hair. It is shining, well balanced and does not dry out. To maintain this ideal condition a well balanced diet and proper care is essential.

SHAMPOOING

To shampoo is to wash, cleanse or remove all dirt or other impurities from the scalp and hair by the process of shampooing. The selection of

the shampoo should depend upon the hair type. Egg shampoo is good for dry hair but avoid products which contain alcohol as they will dry out

the hair even further. For oily hair use some mild shampoo. Care should be taken while using shampoo. Do not scrub or over massage. It is

better to rinse thoroughly with Luke warm water. If the hair is too oily, add lemon juice in Luke warm water and rinse.
Shampooing can be done as often (ideally every alternate day) as required to keep the hair clean and healthy, as long as you condition

regularly. Switch shampoos once a month to avoid hair buildup.

Method of Shampooing

Prepare the hair for shampooing. Before wetting your hair for shampooing, comb through with a wide toothed comb to prevent tangles.

Mix and adjust the water flow. Mix the water to a comfortable temperature. Wet the hair and scalp thoroughly. Apply the shampoo to

the hair by first pouring it into your hand and never directly. Apply with the hands and fingers, massage firmly in rotating and circular

movements. Massage the whole head. Rinse the hair and scalp thoroughly and carefully. Apply more shampoo and massage for the second time if needed, finally rinse all shampoo from the hair and scalp with clean water. Finally check the hair lines and make sure that the dirt and

shampoo has been removed from hair and scalp. Dry the hair gently. Don't rub just blot the wet hair with a towel and then smooth the towel along the length of your hair. Avoid blow drying as far as possible. If you shampoo regularly there is no need to lather twice.

CONDITIONING

All types of hair have to be conditioned to keep it shiny and flexible. Conditioning is specially useful for dry hair. It adds to the natural oil supply and gives dry hair, shine as well as bounce and strength. For oily hair, use conditioner only on the ends of your hair .

Method of Conditioning

After shampooing gently squeeze the excess water. Comb the hair with the fingers or with wide toothed comb from the roots to the ends gently. Remove tangles. Apply little conditioner and rub the conditioner through the hair with

the fingers. Never rub on the scalp. Keep it on the hair for 5 minutes Now gently massage the hair to loosen the conditioner. Rinse the hair and remove all traces of conditioner. Now dry the hair.

Conditioners used for different types of Hair


Damaged hair - Protein Conditioner
Dry hair - Moisturising or Intensive Conditioner
Oily hair - Any normal (oil free) conditioner

Purpose of Conditioning

The key to beautiful hair is a beautiful scalp. If it is kept clean and normal balances are maintained it performs its functions well. Each hair is made up of a very delicate fibers.Conditioning is a way of giving the hair a more intense kind of nourishing treatment. It helps to protect hair from counter acting dryness, making it smooth and easier to manage.
Treatments with conditioners helps to correct the effects of poor hair care. Henna is a good conditioner. Treatment with henna is good for the hair.

Source : http://www.webindia123.com/women/Beauty/Hair/care.htm