Rebecca MacFarlane
My hair has always been important to me. Aside from many other endearing nicknames, I have commonly been known as “the one with the really long hair”. From the days that I used to put a black bin bag around my waist and jump into the pool yelling “look Mom, I’m Ariel!”, I always wanted to have long luscious locks just like a mermaid. So, I have gone in search of some tips from the experts to achieve healthy, beautiful hair.
1- Consider switching to natural hair-care products
Sulfate- free shampoos and conditioners are all the rage right now. Chemical based shampoos strip hair of its natural oils. The biggest culprit is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- found commonly in other chemical detergents such as Sunlight Dish washing Liquid. It’s great for getting rid of grease on your frying pan, but too harsh for your luscious locks. Stripping away these natural oils causes dryness and can make the hair brittle and breakable, which is why many now recommend natural shampoos that are devoid of sulfates.
2- Shampoo less often
Washing your hair too often can also contribute to damage. Shampooing too often, just like using sulfate shampoo, strips your hair of its natural oils. Unless you have extremely oily hair, most experts agree that twice a week should do the trick.
3- Try your hand at some DIY hair masks
Not only will your hair thank you for the extra moisture, it’s also a lot of fun to mix your own hair masks and give them a go. My personal favorite is the Honey and Cinnamon hair mask. Simply mix honey, cinnamon and sulfate free conditioner and lather onto damp hair. Leave for 1 hour. Not only does this recipe moisturize your hair- it can also be used as a natural hair lightener. Cinnamon lightens hair, as well as stimulates hair growth. Honey also has lightening properties. (Just be cautious if you choose to use cinnamon, as cinnamon has a warming affect and can be irritating to those with sensitive skin). There are plenty of awesome recipes for hair masks online, and I encourage everyone to try a few.
4- Avoid Heat
When it comes to hair health, heat is public enemy no 1. Heat dries out your hair, leading to breakage and split ends. Hair straighteners, hair curlers and hair dryers may get your hair looking pretty for a short while, but the permanent damage they cause is hard to overlook. This excessive heat actually damages the hair cuticle itself, according to Trichologist Ian Sallis of the UK, which leads to split ends and broken hair.
As well as appliances, hot water can be damaging to your hair as well. Experts advise rinsing your hair in cool water instead. I can feel the Johannesburg readers practically cringing at the thought of a cold-rinse in the dead of Gauteng winter. This obviously won’t always be possible- but as often as you can, rinse in lukewarm to cool water.
5- Brush kindly
Your hair brush can either help or hinder your hair health. Experts recommend using a brush with softer bristles to avoid tearing of the hair. As well as this, brush your hair gently and start from the bottom up- slowly removing knots as you go. It is never a good idea to simply yank the brush right through, as this will also tear your precious locks. Another golden hair rule is to never brush your hair when it is wet. Wet hair is far more susceptible to snapping than dry hair.
6- Throw out those tight hair elastics
Those tight hair elastics with the little metal fastenings are causing more damage to your locks than you might think. You may as well take sand paper to the middle of your hair, as they slowly chafe your strands and tear them as they get snagged on the fastenings. These are often the culprit for those who suffer from upper breakage in their hair. Instead, switch to the softer, satin hair ties- you know, the ones that we South Africans call scrunchies? Or even better yet- try to leave your hair free as often as is possible.
7- Your Diet Matters
It has been said time and time again- you are what you eat. This is so true for your hair as well. Your hair requires nutrients in order to grow healthily and properly- and protein and iron rich foods are golden for your hair. According to WebMD, foods that promote healthy hair are fish, eggs, spinach, sweet potatoes, cinnamon and fruits such as avocados and guavas.
8- Water, plenty of water
Hand in hand with the foods you eat, water is also vital to your hair health. A lack of hydration makes for dry, limp and lacklustre hair. Make sure you are getting your recommended daily dosage of water in order for your locks to be hydrated and luscious looking. The National Academy of Medicine recommends roughly 2.2 litres a day- however- this changes from person to person based on gender, age, amount of exercise done and overall health. (As well as your hair, proper hydration also does wonders for your skin.)
9- Treat yourself to a massage
Who wouldn’t love this? Now you have the perfect excuse to indulge in that Indian Head Massage you have been wanting to try out for so long. It’s no joke- scalp massage stimulates the hair follicles and gets blood flowing to this area- which ultimately promotes hair growth. Taking a few minutes to massage your own scalp in the shower will also achieve this follicle stimulation.
So there you have it: 9 tips to help you on your way to Mermaid-luscious locks!
