How to care for long hair

Every woman dreams of having healthy, glossy and lustrous hair. Nourished long hair is sexy but on the other hand if you're long hair is disheveled and unruly it is nothing short of a mess. If you want gorgeous locks it is vital for you to care for your long hair.

To keep hair in the best possible condition you will need to follow a special hair care routine. This doesn’t have to be difficult; if you follow simple tips and make small changes you will notice your hair is more likely to be long and strong.

GROWING LONG HAIR:

Some people are lucky and often find that their hair is naturally very long. There are tricks of growing hair long though. Avoid too much coloring/perming hair as this can be very damaging. If you wish to color hair why not opt for henna? Not only is it natural but is also good for strengthening hair. If you want it long then you've got to keep it strong!

Wear hair loosely and steer clear of hair bands as they often trap hair. You can buy many that have no metal and are much better to use. It’s not a good idea to tease your hair. Not only does it weaken hair it also makes it more likely to break, resulting in split ends. Clothing and jewelry can also break hair as it tangles easily.

Being stressed, swimming and taking medication can have an impact on your hair. If you swim, wear a swimming cap and treat your hair often to a deep nourishing treatment. There are many studies that suggest that being stressed can result in hair loss. Unless you are subscribed medicine avoid taking it as it can be bad for your hair.

Indian head massages are great for promoting hair growth. This will relieve any tension in your neck and reduce back pain too. Use coconut oil/jojoba oil/almond oil or tea tree oil for dry or damaged hair.

If you wish to reduce split ends do have your hair trimmed every now and then. Many people make a common mistake by cutting hair too often. Tell your hairstylist how much hair you want cut, many stylists often cut off too much hair.

EATING FOR LONG HAIR:

A good diet is the biggest secret of having long hair. Your genes play a vital role too but eating the right foods will help your hair stay strong. Hair is made of protein so eating more foods rich in protein is fantastic for your hair.

Here are some key nutrients to help promote healthy hair:

1. Protein rich foods- fish, eggs, beans, cottage, cheese, yogurt, milk, nuts and lentils.

2. Iron rich foods- beans, pulses, lentils, chick peas, peas, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, dates, raisins and nuts.

3. B vitamin rich foods- tuna, oats, Brazil nuts, bananas, avocados, potatoes and meat.

4. Vitamin E rich foods-mango's, olive oil, mackerel, fish, tomatoes, spinach, blackberries, nuts, whole meal products and Brussels sprouts.

5. Sulfur rich foods- garlic, onions, eggs, nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, avocados, tomatoes, dairy products and coconuts.

While you should include these foods in your diet there are many you should avoid. Both caffeine and sugar are harmful to your hair. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.

Diet can help to improve hair but genetics will still pay an essential role in your hair's condition. Along with a good diet, treat your hair to treatments.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHAMPOO:

A good shampoo is one which will clean your hair and remove any excess oil, dirt or any build-up of chemicals. Advanced shampoos nowadays will also make you're hair more manageable, add moisture and shine to your locks.

Shampoos containing natural ingredients are the best for hair. Hair is much more likely to absorb these natural ingredients and you’re scalp is less likely to become irritated. Organic shampoos do not contain chemicals which are ruthless for your hair and scalp.

A mild detergent based formula will remove debris with removing natural oil in your hair. These shampoo's will protect your hair's natural moisture without damaging it.

WASHING LONG HAIR:

Many people have a misconception that washing long hair is difficult, it is not. The simplest way is to lean forwards (waist length) and wash the scalp and hair nearest to the scalp. As you shampoo the rest of your hair will also be washed.

You do not need to wash hair on a daily basis unless you have an oily scalp. Wash hair every other day.

After shampooing use a moisturizing conditioner. Do not use the conditioner on your scalp, instead use it on the ends of your hair and rinse well. Cold water is said to be better for adding shine.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT HAIR BRUSH/BRUSHING HAIR:

The best hair brush for long hair is the Paddle hair brush as it won't tear you're hair. Brushing hair is tough on your hair particularly if you have many tangles. The first tips is never to brush hair when it is wet.

Allow wet hair to dry naturally if possible. Towel drying is far gentler and avoid using a hot blow dryer.

You can buy a cheap detangler comb and remove any knots. Start by combing from the ends and work your way up. If you come across a knot, start combing and working at the knot from the bottom and then work your way up. Do not tug at the knot so you don't damage your hair.

After brushing hair, you can add any hair styling products you wish to use. Oils, such as almond oil or jojoba oil, are good to keep your hair in excellent condition. Use a small drop, rub into both hands and gently apply to your hair. Do not overuse oil as it will give hair a greasy appearance.

SPLIT ENDS:

Take hold of a couple of strands of hair and look at the ends. If the ends of the hair are split in more than one, you have split ends. If you get rid of split ends it can leave your hair looking far healthier. The good news is that you can deal with split ends.

Once you have split ends it is not possible for you to repair that hair. You can do something to improve the look of the hair though. A temporary solution for split ends is to use a split end repairing serum. This will “seal” the split ends for a short period of time.

To remove split ends permanently you will need to eliminate them. The best ways to do this is by frequently trimming split ends. In the long run this will be the best way to have healthier, longer hair.

Prevention is better than cure, or so the saying goes. This is true with split ends. If you don’t want to get your hair trimmed then this is the best solution. Keep hair well conditioned as split ends are more common where hair is dry.

Using hair straightners, hairdryer’s and certain products will damage your hair. If you want to remove split ends yourself, try this: Twist a small section of hair around your finger. You wil easily be able to the split ends. Cut them off.

Long hair does require some extra special attention but the results you get are stunning. There are numerous hairstyles you can try with long hair, from sophisticated buns to funky and loose. Long hair frames the face wonderfully and can bring out your best features.