Hair Care Solutions That Won’t Cost You A Penny

Shampoo
Find the right shampoo for your hair type, scalp type
and washing frequency, and use only lukewarm or cool
water. Fortnightly or monthly, use a clarifying
shampoo to deep-cleanse your hair of product build-up.
Mumbai-based hairstylist Nisheeta Bavadekar says,
"When wet,hair stretches by over one-third of its length
and requires extremely gentle treatment. Avoid rough,
vigorous shampooing and sleeping/leaving home with
wet or dripping hair." Sweat, friction and windy days
can damage the hair shaft terribly.
Condition
After every shampoo, condition mid-lengths and ends,
and very delicately, untangle knots with a wide-toothed
comb before rinsing. Always use a towel to blot dry
(never rub) excess moisture. Then, quickly blast-dry
with a blow-dryer on a cool setting.
Nisheeta says, "Conditioning helps untangle hair when
it is most vulnerable to breakage. When drying, always
towel it till it's 70 to 80 per cent dry, before using
a hairdryer." Don't forget that a hair dryer is used to
give shape and set hair. So use sparingly to avoid
damage.
Maintain
Even if you're growing your hair, you need to trim it
once in three months for healthy new growth. For very
dry hair, seek professional help. Avoid tying it too
tightly or in the same place, to prevent thinning or
traction alopecia. Change your parting regularly.
Nisheeta says, "The hair up to two inches from your
scalp gets nourished from your diet. The rest of
your hair needs continuous external nourishment via
serums, conditioning masks and salon treatments.
Regular trimming is a must, as split-ends travel
upwards towards the scalp and must be cut off."
Healthy lifestyle
Healthy hair comes from within; aim for a
balanced diet rich in protein, nuts and greens as well as
plenty of water. Hormonal imbalances, new
medications, lifestyle changes and deficiencies play
havoc with its health.
Nisheeta says, "Hair loss is usually
internal. Hair products do not penetrate the shaft, and
therefore cannot cause worrisome hair loss. We spend
so much time indoors that we don't get enough sunlight
and thus develop vitamin D deficiencies.
Proper diet and a little care go a long way towards
body, mind and hair health."
Protect
You live in artificial AC temperatures and tropical
outdoors that dry your hair out. Use leave-in
conditioners, serums and heat protectant sprays to
coat hair with protective layers. Extreme sun exposure,
straightening, extensive blow-drying and
constant hair processing for colour or
change in texture can damage it irreversibly. So, it is
important to protect your hair from harm as much as
possible.