Different hair lengths require different hair care routines. For instance, you may be surprised to find something that worked for you while your hair was short might not work now that you’re sporting longer hair. That's why it is essential to determine your hair type or to learn how to define curls on your natural hair.
Here’s what you should do to keep your long hair shiny, healthy, and thriving.
Use the right brush.
Are you still brushing your hair with a fine tooth comb? You might end up doing more harm than good. The comb will cause friction, which eventually leads to tangles and breakage.
Instead, find a good quality wide tooth comb to brush your wet hair. The wider spaces in between the teeth makes it easier to detangle hair with less friction. A boar bristle brush is also great for brushing dry hair. The soft bristles glide through easily so there’s less breakage. Plus, the bristles distribute your scalp's natural oils more evenly from roots to tips.
When brushing, work from the ends to the top of the hair as this will put the least strain on your strands. Also, don’t brush your hair if it’s still very wet. This is when your hair is at its weakest state and most prone to breakage.
Deep condition your hair.
If you style your hair regularly using thermal styling tools and use a ton of haircare products, your hair could be suffering from all the heat and product buildup. Give your hair a break from styling with a deep conditioning treatment, which will restore moisture to your hair follicles.
Avoid overwashing.
Are you the type to wash your hair every day? Shampooing your hair daily leads to dryness and brittleness, so try to skip a day or two before reaching for that shampoo bottle again. You can spritz on dry shampoo or apply shampoo powder to keep your hair oil-free while in-between washing.
Don’t rough it out.
Avoid the practice of roughly drying your hair with a towel. Since hair is fragile when wet, rubbing it with a cotton towel will lead to major frizz. What you can do instead is to use a microfiber towel to remove all the excess water. If none is available, use a hair wrap or an old shirt. Just make sure not to rub it in. Gently blot the hair and then pat, pat, pat until it’s dry.
Have it trimmed.
Long hair is more susceptible to split ends, which can be caused by excessive styling, overwashing, and genetics. This can be prevented by having your hair trimmed regularly at the salon or you can do it by yourself at home with the help of professional hair cutting scissors.
If your hair has been looking lifeless and dull lately, a quick trim can also do great wonders. It’s a simple way to refresh the way your hair looks without resorting to major changes.
The simplest things can make the most significant changes, and in this case, a quick trim can change your long hair for the better. You can also ask your stylist for layers, which will add character to your long hair while still keeping the length.
Dial down the heat.
Long hair looks gorgeous when you blow it out or straighten it with a flat iron. Unfortunately, the heat can severely damage your locks. This is why you should keep your use of heat styling tools to a minimum.
If you still want to heat style your hair, put the curling wand or flat iron at the lowest setting before styling. When drying, keep the blow dryer at least two inches away from your hair, and always aim the nozzle downwards. A heat protectant spray can also serve as an extra barrier against the heat.
You can also give your hair a breather from all the styling by using ZALA hair extensions. These clip-in extensions are an effective way to change color, add length, and pump up the volume of your hair.
Use loose hairstyles.
Avoid putting your long hair into tight buns and ponytails. This practice of scraping your hair and pulling the strands too tight will stress your locks. Instead, go for low-tension styles, like loose chignons and low buns. You can also use a clip-in hair extension to quickly style your hair without damaging it in the process.
