Gentle Hair Care Techniques
How To Minimise Damage for Long, Healthy Hair
A single hair can stay on the head for years. Make its time less traumatic by applying some gentle hair care techniques.
Growing long, healthy, shiny hair takes more than simply hiding the scissors. The amount of sun, heat and mechanical damage to which hair is subjected over the course of a few years is extreme. Once the cuticle of a hair has been stretched and roughened or split, no product can "cure" the damage. To minimise this damage and ensure each hair lasts as long as possible, be aware of the following techniques.
Don't overbrush.
Brushing with a synthetic brush, especially one with bobbles on the bristles, is a major cause of unnecessary breakage. Detangle your hair with your fingers or a wide-toothed comb. A natural brush such as a boar bristle brush can be valuable for stimulating circulation to the scalp and distributing natural oils to the length of the hair – however, these brushes should never be used for detangling.
Sleep carefully.
A satin pillowcase minimises friction, which helps to prevent split ends. If your hair is long, it usually pays to have it contained for bed – a braid, high bun or even a biker's braid (a ponytail secured with elastics down the length) will all help minimise tangling and breakage.
Choose hair accessories wisely.
Some cheap hairtoys are prone to snagging and breaking hair. Be particularly wary of clasp barrettes and hair elastics which contain metal strips. Plenty of "hair-friendly" hairtoys, such as "ouchless" elastic bands, are on the market and will not damage your hair.
Vary your hairdo.
Traction alopecia is a form of localised baldness caused by stress on the hair. If you scrape your hair back into the same tight bun every day, you may eventually notice a receding hairline; if you part your hair in the same place every day, the hair around the part will thin.
Further damage can be caused by the use of hair accessories – often people who wear their hair in a ponytail every day find a halo of breakage around the area secured by the elastic band. Using hair-friendly accessories helps, but in general varying hairstyles will minimise both damage and the risk of traction alopecia, as well as making your hair-growing journey more interesting! Braids, providing they are not pulled too tight, are a very hair-friendly hairstyle, as they distribute the weight of the hair evenly over the head rather than pulling on one spot like a ballerina bun.
Avoid heat.
Hair is like leather – although technically dead, it can be maintained to stay shiny, flexible and strong, or it can be neglected and become pitted, rough, dull and cracked. Heat is one of hair's worst enemies. Blow-drying and especially straightening or curling with a curling iron are obvious culprits, but even spending too much time in the sun with exposed hair can cause dryness and damage. Moisturising hair well and keeping it under a hat will prevent much of this damage.
Treat your hair tenderly.
Longer hair is prone to being caught under bag straps, snagged in necklace clasps and trapped in car doors. Be aware of when and how damage occurs. Often, wearing your hair up is the simplest solution. Whether up or down, however, the cardinal rule is to treat hair "like antique lace" – handle it carefully and gently, without yanking. Knots should be coaxed out, not ripped through with a brush; caught hair should be disentangled cautiously, not pulled out. The karma is simple – love your hair, and it will love you back!
