Untangle Hair Before Shampooing
It’s a common mistake to shampoo hair that’s tangled and knotted. Shampooing can leave hair vulnerable, so brushing or combing right after can lead to mechanical damage from excessive pulling.
Brushing your hair before shampooing is an effective way to minimize hair damage and prevent weak, split ends.
Start brushing from the ends or middle of your hair, where tangles usually concentrate, and then move towards the roots. Avoid brushing from the roots down as it can damage healthy hair. This method also stimulates blood circulation and gently relaxes the scalp.
Condition Before Shampooing
If your hair is tangled, greasy, or styled with products like hair gel or hairspray, don’t rush to shampoo. Instead, use a conditioner first to soften and smoothen your hair.
Using a conditioner before shampooing can help soften and smoothen tangled or styled hair.
The key to this method is to apply the conditioner from the middle to the ends of your hair, avoiding the scalp to prevent dandruff and itching. Once the middle and ends are damp and untangled, you can shampoo as usual.
Gently Towel Dry Hair After Washing
After shampooing, many people have the habit of vigorously towel-drying their hair, as seen in advertisements, to feel refreshed after a long day. However, this habit is not good for your hair as it creates friction, leading to cuticle damage and split ends.
The way you dry your hair after washing is crucial to its health.
The correct way is to gently blot your hair with a towel to remove excess water, and then apply a non-greasy hair serum or oil to maximize its benefits.
Protect Your Hair While Sleeping – Change Your Pillowcase and Loose Bun
Cotton pillowcases create friction when you toss and turn in your sleep. This can lead to hair tangles, breakage, and split ends in the morning. Silk or satin pillowcases are a better choice as they allow hair to slide smoothly, minimizing friction.
Friction with your hair while sleeping can lead to dry, brittle hair and split ends.
Additionally, you can loosely tie your hair in a low bun or a gentle braid before sleeping. This prevents tangles and creates soft waves without using heat in the morning.
Proper Hair Drying Techniques
Many people make the mistake of drying their hair from the bottom up or randomly flipping their hair while blow-drying. This can cause the hair cuticles to lift, resulting in frizzy, tangled hair that is prone to split ends. Instead, the correct way is to bend forward, divide your hair into two sections, and blow-dry from the roots to the ends.
Drying in the direction of the cuticles helps them lie flat, making your hair smoother and shinier. Additionally, this method reduces hair frizz when you wake up in the morning. Remember to use a nozzle attachment to control the airflow, avoid holding the dryer too close to your hair, and finish with a cool shot to set your style.
Proper hair drying techniques are more important for hair health than you think.
Check out this TikTok video from “Cong Chua Toc May” for a step-by-step guide on how to blow-dry your hair properly.
Proper Hair Care When Styling – Never Use Heat on Damp Hair
Instead of using regular water to dampen your hair in the morning, try a hair mist or leave-in conditioner. Then, use a round brush and gentle heat from the blow dryer to style your hair naturally. This method helps hold your style without the need for high heat or alcohol-based styling products that can dry out your hair.
While styling your hair is a daily necessity, it’s crucial to protect it from heat damage to prevent dryness, brittleness, and split ends.
An important note: never use a flat iron or curling iron on damp hair or immediately after applying a leave-in conditioner. The sudden heat can cause the hair to “explode” from within, resulting in irreversible damage. Always apply a heat protectant cream to create a barrier between your hair and the heat. Otherwise, your hair will become dry, brittle, and lose its natural shine.
You don’t need expensive salon treatments or complicated products to improve the health of your hair. By changing a few simple habits, you can say goodbye to split ends and hello to healthy, shiny hair. Hair needs time to recover, but with the right care, you’ll see noticeable improvements every day.
