From time to time, we experiment with the length, color, or style of our hair. And it doesn’t matter what texture they are — both long blonde hair and short dark curls need our attention. Have you ever tried countless different products in your daily care routine, but the results were disappointing, or not what you expected? I’m sure most people have experienced this. There could be several reasons, but often, it’s because we forget the most obvious — the basics of hair care. In this article, I want to share with you eight important tips to help make your hair your calling card.
Avoid Hot Showers
A hot shower is a great way to relax, clear your mind, and wash away fatigue. However, hot water can seriously damage your hair, as it dries out your scalp and strips your hair of natural oils, leading to dryness, brittleness, and making your hair unmanageable and tangled. Therefore, I recommend washing your hair with warm water, and to close the hair cuticle, always finish with a rinse using room-temperature water (important — not cold!). Such a seemingly insignificant detail can harm your hair and even lead to excessive hair loss. So, always pay attention to the water temperature when showering.
Keep Hair Accessories Clean
A dirty comb or hairbrush is often the reason your hairstyle looks greasy, your hair quickly becomes oily, or has an unpleasant smell. Therefore, it’s important to not only maintain personal hygiene but also to keep your hair care accessories clean:
- Clean your comb or brush daily from hair residues.
- Don’t use other people's hair accessories, as they can be a breeding ground for bacteria that could cause scalp irritation and damage the hair cuticles.
- Once a week, thoroughly wash your comb/brush with warm water and soap, facial cleanser, or shampoo. Let them dry naturally or blow-dry on a low setting.
- Periodically replace your hairbrush — over time, its structure deteriorates, leading to hair damage. A brush should be soft, detangle your hair quickly and efficiently without pulling it out. We all use hair care products. Even if your routine only consists of shampoo (I hope it’s not just that ?), your hair accessories, hairdryers, and styling tools accumulate residue from these products. That’s why you should periodically clean all the accessories and tools that come into contact with your hair, and you’ll soon see the results.?
Regular Haircuts Another step to a neat and attractive hairstyle. This is not just about aesthetics — if you want healthy and well-groomed hair, you should regularly trim split and dry ends. How often you should visit the hairdresser depends on your hair type and length, but I recommend doing this at least every 2-3 months. Even if your hair is in good condition, a regular trim will benefit it.
Our hair ends tend to split over time, hair falls out and breaks, making the hairstyle look unattractive. And if you dream of long and thick hair, don’t skip regular haircuts, as damaged cuticles won’t protect your hair. Instead, they will peel higher up, worsening its condition. So, the best solution is to trim the ends while the damage is minimal.?
To keep your hair in great condition for as long as possible, strengthen it and protect the ends from unwanted damage by adding hair oils to your care routine. Just 2-3 drops of oil, rubbed between your palms and evenly distributed on your hair, will do the trick. But remember to apply it only to the ends. If you have long damaged hair, use oil up to ear level. Never apply it along the full length or on the scalp, as this will cause your hair to lose volume, and your hairstyle will look greasy.
Avoid Friction
The hair cuticle consists of keratinized cells that should fit tightly together to form a protective barrier in healthy hair. When damaged, hair loses volume, becomes dull and brittle. Is poor care to blame? Not necessarily! Often, the cause of this condition could be related to:
- Using tight elastics and rough hair accessories. This also applies to worn-out, non-elastic elastics, as they create extra stress on the hair, which can lead to breakage and even hair loss. If you love tight hairstyles, save them for special occasions. In everyday life, try using silk or cotton elastics — they are much gentler and don’t leave creases in your hair.
- Rubbing wet hair with a towel — this also negatively affects the condition of your hair, as, like in the previous case, the hair cuticle gets damaged, resulting in split ends and breakage. Instead, gently pat your washed hair with a towel, wait a few minutes, and let it dry. Cosibella offers towels and turbans made of gentle materials that won’t harm your hair. Such simple yet important steps can truly change the condition of your hair. All it takes is a little patience and regular care.
Take Care of Your Scalp You might think, what does the scalp have to do with it? But a healthy scalp means a beautiful and shiny hairstyle. It’s a crucial step in hair care that most of us overlook. Too bad! Because it takes no more than 15 minutes a week, and in return, you’ll have healthy and strong hair from the roots.
So, how do you take care of your scalp? I’ll share two important tips that will surely benefit your hair. While daily care is undoubtedly important, don’t forget about regular exfoliation, which will cleanse your scalp, removing impurities and dead skin cells. As a result, your hair will grow shiny, voluminous, and strong. And that’s not all the benefits of using scalp exfoliation in your care — read more on this topic at the link.
The second option is scalp massage. A simple yet effective way to strengthen and activate hair follicles, reduce excessive hair loss, improve circulation, gently exfoliate dead skin, and boost hair growth. You can use a special scalp massage brush, which is widely available at Cosibella. They are made of waterproof materials, so you can easily use them while showering. Additionally, using a scalp massage brush enhances the absorption of active cosmetic ingredients, increasing their effectiveness.
Don’t Sleep with Wet Hair
Hair is very fragile when wet, so it’s important to handle it carefully. When you toss and turn in your sleep, your strands can get tangled and damaged, especially if they’re damp. Always dry your hair completely before going to bed, and even better — gather it into a loose bun or braid it if your hair length allows.
Never go to bed with even slightly damp hair, as this can negatively affect the roots, lead to loss of volume and creases. Moreover, dandruff may appear, which is much harder to get rid of.
Take care of your hair beforehand, so you don’t have to worry about an unkempt hairstyle in the morning. Let your hair be your pride, not a source of bad mood.
Less Product, More Benefit
Don’t overload your hair! What do I mean by this? Mainly, it’s about various styling products. Gels, foams, hairsprays, styling pastes, and creams — of course, you can’t do without them, but I’m not saying you should give them up entirely. You need to understand that applying styling products to your hair every day can damage the cuticle, leading to breakage, dryness, quick greasiness, and product buildup on the scalp. As someone with porous, unruly hair, I know how difficult it can be to achieve a perfect hairstyle. However, with the right hair care, I now turn to styling products only for special occasions.
And it’s not just excessive use of styling products that can harm your hair. You also need to ensure that your care routine is as beneficial as possible:
- Periodically switch cosmetic products like masks, scrubs, and oils — don’t use the same product all the time, even if it works great. Our hair, like our scalp, gets used to the product's formula, and over time, its effect diminishes.
- Try to choose shampoos that not only cleanse but also care for your scalp.
- 1-2 times a week, give your hair a spa treatment — apply a moisturizing, nourishing, or strengthening mask (depending on your hair's needs), cover your hair with a shower cap, and wrap it with a towel or turban. While the mask works, listen to your favorite podcast, read a book, or spend time with family. Afterward, be sure to wash your hair. How to do it properly can be found in our article on the subject. Give your hair a sort of diet — use only products with active ingredients that can improve its condition and appearance. Don’t waste money searching for a miracle product that will instantly save your hairstyle. Instead, consult with our cosmetologists, and they will help you choose a comprehensive hair care routine that suits you.
Say “NO” to High Heat
I’ve already told you about the negative effects of hot water on your hair, but high temperatures can be just as harmful. Daily use of curling irons and hair straighteners won’t get you the results you want. Yes, today your hairstyle will look amazing, but what will happen to your hair in a month? Try not to overuse such devices, and use them no more than once a week. Make sure they have adjustable temperature settings — this will allow you to choose and change the temperature according to your hair type.
And most importantly, always remember to apply a heat-protectant before using any heat tools to protect your hair from damage. Sprays containing silicons and keratin will shield the cuticle and make your hair more resistant to heat damage.
Remember, taking care of your hair isn’t just about using the right products, but also about gentle and mindful care. A little patience, consistency, properly chosen products, and following the tips I’ve shared with you are the keys to shiny and healthy hair.