Some people will think that caring for hair is expensive, requiring the best of whatever is available on the shelf. Fortunately, there exists a wealth of information about hair care, especially in terms of creating products for hair at home. This means that you can easily take care of your hair without the added burden of spending too much money. Here are a few simple ways for you to take care of your hair without putting a dent in your wallet.
Diet/Nutrition
Although the health of your hair will also depend, somewhat, on your genetics, you can still influence the overall health of your hair by eating healthfully. Hair is essentially made out of a protein called keratin. This is why it is essential for you to have enough protein in your diet. B-vitamins, as well as biotin, also play important roles in cell metabolism. Basically, they help maintain healthy cells. Make sure that your diet is full of B-vitamins as well as protein, and your hair will also thank you for it. Drinking plenty of water is also important to your bodily health. Water also helps in cell function.
Massage and other care
Every scalp needs a good massage every now and then. Make sure that you use the pads of your fingers. Never use your fingertips because you can damage your scalp. Since the scalp is very thin, you want to ensure that you are not being harsh with it. Each massage session should last approximately 30 minutes, although massaging twice a day (morning and night) is not uncommon.
Brushing your hair should only be necessary when the hair is visibly tangled. For example, try not to brush your hair immediately after washing it. Only brush the ends of the hair, and lightly brush the hair close to the scalp.
Try not to apply heat to your hair on a daily basis. Most people are better off only applying heat to their hair once a week, or even only twice a month. The less heat, the better. At the same time, try to choose hairstyles that do not involve tight hair ties and very tight braids.
"Better" products
If you look at the ingredients of your shampoo/conditioner bottles, chances are you will see "sodium laureth sulfate" or "paraben" or other chemicals that should not touch the sensitive scalp. Look for shampoos and conditioners that do not use these ingredients. Many people do not even need to use conditioner. The best way to make the hair less dry is to stimulate the oil production of the scalp, especially if your hair is naturally dry. Some of these sulfate-free products are very expensive, compared to other sulfate-formula products, but some manufacturers are already producing and selling some very inexpensive sulfate-free products.
As you can see, caring for your hair is going to take a little bit of time and effort. However, you will only need the most effort at the beginning. Once you get into the habit of doing these simple acts of hair care, maintaining your hair's health will come easy.
