6 Tips for Healthy Hair

One of the best ways to look good is to have healthy shiny hair. Men and women know that their overall look is enhanced when their hair is at its best.

General care such as washing, drying and cutting are important in keeping hair looking its best. However, this article will discuss 6 more tips that will give your hair the look seen in shampoo commercials.

Both men and women need to have their hair trimmed regularly. Even if you decide to let it grow long, you will need to have a trim at least once every two months. As it grows out, it will probably go through lots of changes. A stylist can help you get through this challenging period by suggesting certain products or by changing your style.

Pick your shampoo carefully. A shampoo with no alcohol is best. Alcohol will make your tresses overly dry. Your shampoo should be used on the scalp and the roots. The ends are cleaned during the rinse.

Condition after every shampoo. The use of a conditioner or a crème rinse is essential after every shampoo. A conditioner is used to soften, give it a healthy shine, and add needed nutrients. A crème rinse will give you light conditioning while detangling. It also gives it a healthy shine.

Let the professionals handle the coloring process. There are numerous coloring and highlighting kits for the do-it-yourselfer. These kits provide a less expensive way to color and highlight, but the results are almost always less than you expect. Consult with a professional stylist before changing your hair color or adding highlights. Your stylist can suggest the best color for you according to your skin color. Your stylist can detect what your new color will look like when applied over your present color. The results you want will not always look like what’s on the box of the do-it-yourself kit.

Be careful when braiding. Braided styles look great and can lessen your need for constant styling for a short period of time. However, make sure that you don’t overly twist or tighten your hair. You may put too much pressure on the roots and scalp. It’s best to use natural oils rather than multiple chemicals when braiding.

The manufacturer is interested in your money. You are interested in healthy hair. Even though manufacturers offer everything you may want in their product line, do no believe them when they tell you that you must use all of their products to get the results you want. Usually a shampoo, a conditioner or a deep conditioner for those times your hair is extra dry or if you have thick hair are all you need in their product line. Of course, if you feel that you need some of their other products, then you are free to make that choice. Just make sure you are the one making the choice.

What the Hair Professionals Say

The best advice about hair care comes from hair care professionals. On a personal level, they can give you tips on how to help your specific hair type. We will discuss the opinions of three hairstylists who are also creators of a their own hair care products. The stylists were interviewed for Essence Magazine, August, 2005.



Our first stylist and creator of her own line of products is from Boston. She believes that no matter what your style or texture of hair, healthy hair starts with the right products and the right hair care regimen. If you are wearing a style that takes maintenance of your hair such as braids, then you need more than a stylist. You need someone who has been trained in hair care.



Our New York City stylists believes that the hair can be overly processed. She refuses to perm and color her clients' hair at the same time. She believes that the hair should be conditioned and uses a leave-in conditioner on all of her clients.



Our third stylist is from District Heights, MD. He asks the questions, "If your hair could talk, would it thank you or slap you and run away?" He believes that the best thing you can do for your hair is know it so you can give it what it needs.