How to Maintain Healthy Hair & Scalp

Hair is not just hair, it's a fabric. It plays a very important role in one's identity and self esteem. When hair feels healthy or looks beautiful, we feel great! This fabric, we call hair, adorns our whole being. Like silk or cashmere, it's requires special treatment to maintain or improve longevity and integrity.

All hair and scalps are not created equal. Here is how to take the first step to healthy beautiful hair:

 

• Determine what type of hair and scalp you have
Scalps are categorized as dry, oily, flaky, dandruff, combination and normal. Please keep in mind that having oily scalp does not signify that you have oily hair. Your scalp may be oily, but your hair may be dry, damaged or healthy. 


• Always choose shampoos to treat your scalp and hair needs
If you have oily scalp and dry hair, use shampoos that will control oil build-up. Use conditioners to hydrate your mid-lengths and ends. At least once a month, pamper your mid-lengths and ends to a deep hair mask treatment to encourage luminosity and manageability. 

• Minimize the number of times you use heating tools (curling or flat irons)
When in use, protect your hair with heat protecting products. I always tell my clients to use their flat irons at a temperature no higher the 375 degrees to minimize damage.

• Use lukewarm water when washing your hair

Hot water tends to dry your hair and encourage color fade. Cool water promotes luminosity and helps to smooth the cuticle. When the hair cuticle is smooth, there is less frizz.

• Do not shampoo your hair more than twice a week
Use shampoos free of sulfates and sodium chloride. With regular use, these ingredients tend to dry your hair. If you have oily scalp or your lifestyle requires you to shampoo more than twice a week, use dry or cream Shampoos instead. These shampoos are very effective, provided that they are from a reputable company.

• Continue eating foods rich in vitamins such as biotin, zinc, B-6, folic acid, magnesium, sulfur-carotene and/or silica. They are known to help improve the health of your hair.
Incorporating a diet rich in proteins will also promote a healthy environment for your hair to grow. Examples of protein-rich foods are soy products, yogurts, eggs, meats, beans and fish rich in Omega 3. Some nuts such as walnuts, peanuts and almonds are rich in vitamin E. This vitamin is well known to promote hair growth.

Do not overwhelm your hair with tons of products. Stick to 3-4 products (shampoo, conditioner, leave-in and styling serum).




Your friend and colorist,
Maria Arias