Top Tips For Long Hair – A Definitive Guide

Our hair is the crowning glory of our looks, both literally and figuratively. Long, gorgeous, and healthy tresses are every girl’s dream, but most of us end up hating our dull and lifeless hair. Owing to our hectic, modern lifestyle, which includes everyday stress and pollution, long hair can be difficult to achieve.

Maintaining long and lustrous hair is not a one day task. It requires a proper and dedicated hair care regimen that is easy to follow. If you’re dreaming of long locks like Rapunzel’s, here are a few tips you must follow.

Tip 1: Get To Know Your Hair

It is extremely crucial for you to understand the cycle of your hair. There are three stages to your hair cycle: Anagen, catagen, and telogen.

Anagen – When a new strand is formed in the follicle.

Catagen – When the lower two-thirds of the hair is destroyed.

Telogen – When the hair enters the resting phase waiting to be pushed out by the fresh strand growing in the follicle.

The last phase ‘telogen’ is when the hair falls out. Around 10 to 15% of our hair is in its last phase. But due to various factors, sometimes a majority tends to jump to the telogen phase.

Tip 2: Get To The Root

If you experience a lot of hair thinning and hair fall, consult a specialist immediately. Let the doctor get to the root and solve the problem. There can be various causes behind your problem. Taking professional help will help you identify your exact problem and control it at the earliest.

Tip 3: Oil Your Hair At Least Twice A Week

Proper nutrition is as essential for your hair as it is for any other part of your body. Oiling the roots provides nutrition and strength to help your hair grow long and strong. It also helps rejuvenate dead hair shafts.

• After applying hot (warm) oil on the scalp, gently massage the scalp with your fingertips.

• Apply oil to the strands of the hair. Let them soak in the goodness of the oil.

• You may also wrap a hot towel around the head for 10 minutes to help in the better absorption of the oil into the hair

• Wash off after one to two hours with a mild shampoo

Tip 4: Give Yourself A Head Massage Regularly

Massaging is one of the simplest and most soothing hair care tips. It improves blood circulation and stimulates blood flow to the entire body. You can use coconut oil or almond oil to massage your scalp. Applying lavender oil also promotes hair growth.

We can never deny the importance of a good hot oil head massage, which is one of the best-known home remedies for long hair. A good ‘champi’ is the best thing for our hair. Get it done at the parlor, by a family member or friend, or do it yourself.

Tip 5: Skip The Daily Shampoo

Shampooing your hair twice or thrice a week allows the natural oils to penetrate your hair, thereby allowing it to hydrate and repair itself. The purpose of shampoo is to wash away dirt and product build-up. But, applying it daily can make your hair dry, frizzy, and brittle, and lead to breakage. Shampoos contain sulfates, and the excessive usage of sulfates can cause damage to your hair.

Tip 6: Be Gentle While Washing Your Hair

You must be gentle while shampooing. Just lather up at the scalp and simply let the suds slide down the strands. Your hair becomes soft while it is wet, and rubbing the shampoo harshly on soft hair can lead to breakage. Using the right shampoo is a must. Always pick the one that suits your hair needs, based on your hair type. It should be mild to avoid ripping off natural oils from hair.

Tip 7: Use Conditioner Every Time You Shampoo

Conditioning is a key factor in maintaining good hair. It locks the moisture in the shaft, prevents dryness, and provides protection from dirt and pollution and, to a certain extent, from the sun as well. It also helps replace the lipids and proteins inside the hair shaft and seals the cuticles to prevent further damage.

We know finding the right shampoo and conditioner is a big task. Brands are also misleading at times. Many times, these shampoos and conditioners do more harm than good. Here’s what you can do to save yourself the horror.

Tip 8: Deep Conditioning

Our hair,like the rest of the body, needs that extra attention to stay youthful and healthy.It requires pampering once in a while.And this is why deep conditioning is a must.

Here is an easy hair mask recipe.After a shower,slather on the mask and wrap a towel around your hair for 20 minutes before washing it off.

• Egg
• Oil
• Conditioner

• Mix the oil, egg and any conditioner properly in a container or bowl
• Apply it evenly and generously onto your hair
• Leave it on for an hour
• Wash off thoroughly with a mild shampoo and let your hair dry naturally.

Tip 9: Finish Off The Shower With A Cold Rinse

A super steamy shower can be rough on your hair and can leave it rough and dry. Rinsing with cold water, on the other hand, helps to seal the cuticles and strengthen your shafts, thus helping your hair grow longer and maintain its health.

Tip 10: Dry Your Hair Gently

Drying your hair roughly using a towel increases the chances of breakage. Choose a gentle towel or an old t-shirt, pat your hair dry using it, and then let it air dry for some time.

Tip 11: Avoid Brushing Wet Hair

Wet hair tends to stretch more and break easily as compared to dry hair. So avoid brushing while your hair is still wet. If you wish to detangle it, use your fingers, and gently work through the tangles.

Tip 12: Volumize

Using right products can add volume to your hair. Make sure you use products that are formulated especially for this purpose. Regular use, over time, will see a good change in your hair strength and quality.

Tip 13:Place The Colors Right

Certain colors,when added to the right layers and sections as highlights,can give an illusion of more volume.Find a stylist whoIs good with highlights and get your hair highlighted to add volume

Tip 14:Use A Wide-Toothed Comb

It is always advised to use a wide-toothed comb for your hair.Once your hair is dry,start combing your hair from the bottom, and then work up gradually.This will prevent unnecessary hair fall.Pulling the hair constantly and carelessly will lead to physical harm to your hair.Brushes are also good for distributing the scalp’s natural oils the hair

Tip 15: Trim Your Hair Regularly

Snipping your hair more often helps in faster hair growth and removes split ends. Regular styling and pollution make your hair prone to split ends and damaged cuticles. Trimming the lower portion of your hair every six to eight weeks is always advisable as it ensures that the damage is minimum, and this promotes the growth of healthy hair.

Tip 16: Ditch Your Cotton Pillowcase

Ditching cotton pillowcases and opting for satin fabrics will keep your hair healthy and hydrated. Since satin and silk fabrics have a softer surface, they cause less friction as compared to cotton fabrics, and thus, you wake up with fewer or no tangles at all.

Tip 17: Stop Abusing Your Hair With Styling Tools

The biggest culprits behind damaged hair are hot tools. Stop over-styling your hair. Instead, adopt a few natural methods to curl and straighten your hair.

Excess heat damages hair, period. Using too much of styling products, chemicals and heat are main reasons for hair loss. It reduces the thickness, and the hair loses its sheen, making it appear dull and dry. Avoid using straightening/curling machines. Try and limit blow drying your hair. If you have to straighten or curl your hair, try using natural methods that are less harmful and damaging.

Tip 18:Protect your hair

While traveling or while going out inThe sun,keep your hair covered as far as possible.Covering your hair will protect it fromThe harsh sunlight and damaging pollution

Tip 19:Avoid Tight Ponytails

Ponytails and similar hairdos look awesome,but tight hairstyles cause stressOn the roots,and the friction leads to breakage.Try different hairstyles

Tip 20:Include Vitamin E In Your Hair Care

VitaminE is extremely good for hair and has been an essential ingredient in body lotions,shampoos,and conditioners.Use it individually or mix it with coconut oil and apply it to your scalp