Hair grows at around six inches a year, so healthy-looking long hair is the result of long term care and attention. Careful brushing, good shampoos and conditioners and sensible styling will all help to keep your hair in top condition.
Styling and brushing
Before trying new styling techniques and colors, think about the long-term effect such treatments could have on the condition of your hair. Any hair styling appliance that requires heat, whether blow drying, straightening or curling, will have some damaging effect on your hair. Use these appliances only occasionally, if at all.
When brushing long hair, begin by brushing the ends of your hair, and when these are smooth and free of tangles, brush a slightly longer section, again down towards the tips. Work your way up the length of your hair in this way, until you can brush from your scalp to the tips without encountering any knots or tangles.
Shampoos and conditioners
Often long hair does not fall into a single category such as “dry” or “oily”. In general, the ends of long hair will be much dryer than the scalp, so adapt your hair care products accordingly.
You may find it necessary to use one type of shampoo on your scalp, and a different, gentler shampoo on the drier hair further from your head. If you suffer from dandruff, use an anti-dandruff shampoo against your scalp, and a gentler shampoo, for example a shampoo for dry hair, elsewhere.
When conditioning your hair, try using an intensive conditioner away from your scalp, and using a lighter conditioner closer to your scalp. For very dry hair, you might wish to try applying a leave-in conditioner, concentrating on the drier sections. Coconut oil is a simple, very rich conditioner for very dry tips of long hair. Simply rub a small amount between your fingers and gently rub in.
Hair care through the seasons
The cold and wind of winter can be harsh on long hair. Take care to keep your hair free of tangles in wind by wearing it up in a chignon, or any other style that stops if from being blown around in the wind. In very dry cold weather, you may need to use a richer conditioner, especially on the tips of your hair.
Summer also presents a challenge to long hair. Use a leave-in conditioner with an effective sunscreen to avoid UV damage, and again you may like to use a richer conditioner in very hot dry weather.
Don’t be afraid to wear a stylish hat or a scarf to protect your hair from the extremes of the climate!
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