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Get to know your hair
Curlier hair tends to fracture more easily than straight hair. For this reason, the make-up of the hair can determine how aggressively hair can be groomed.
African-Americans, for example, typically have kinky hair that should be gently groomed with a wide-toothed comb or hair pick. Dr. Draelos also noted that due to minimal friction, Asian hair is least likely to be damaged by combing.
Don’t come up short with long hair
Long hair is much more likely to be cosmetically damaged than short hair. People with extensive hair damage should consider a shorter hair style to improve the overall appearance of the hair. "In this case, it is extremely important to identify the cause of the hair damage so that the newly grown hair remains healthy and attractive," said Dr. Draelos.
Don’t give into the itch
Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition marked by itchy, red, scaly skin that can occur on the scalp. While it does not cause hair loss, the itching associated withseborrheic dermatitis can weaken and permanently damage hair over time. Dr. Draelos advised that treatment from a dermatologist should be sought for this condition.
Grow old gracefully
Since hair growth slows down with age, this also means that cosmetically damaged hair will be present longer on older individuals. The hair’s diameter decreases with age, predisposing thinner hair to damage from chemical processing. Dr. Draelos recommended that for this reason, all chemicals used on mature hair should be weaker than those used on younger hair.
Choose styling tools wisely
Knowing when to comb or brush hair is important to proper grooming. If possible, hair should only be combed when dry. The reason is that wet hair is more elastic than dry hair, which means that vigorous combing of the moist fibers can stretch hair to the point of fracture. When choosing a comb, look for one made of a flexible plastic with smooth, rounded, coarse teeth that easily slips through the hair.
Extensive hair brushing also should be avoided while hair is wet
In general, brushing the hair should be kept to a minimum in order limit breakage. "The myth that the hair should be brushed 100 strokes a day and the scalp vigorously massaged with the brush is simply untrue," said Dr. Draelos. When selecting a brush, look for bristles that are smooth, ball-tipped, coarse and bendable.
Brushes used while blow drying should have widely spaced bristles to prevent increased heat along the brush, which could damage the hair.
Get a grip on using too many accessories
While hair pins and clips are popular fashion accessories, the fact is that they all break some hair since they must hold the hair tightly to stay in place. Look for hair pins with a smooth, ball-tipped surface and hair clips with spongy rubber padding where they make contact with the hair.
Rather than using rubber bands for ponytails, Dr. Draelos recommends that fabric scrunchies, which loosely hold the hair together, be used.
Be sure your stylist makes the cut
The hair should always be cut with sharp scissors, as any defect in the scissor blade will crush and damage the hair shaft. Crushing the end of the hair predisposes it to split ends.
Style your hair with care
"Even though many salon owners would disagree, there is no hair style or procedure that can reverse hair damage," explained Dr. Draelos. "Hair is basically a textile it looks the best when new and degrades with age and use." In general, the less that is done to the hair, the healthier it will be. Hair styling products can help improve the cosmetic appearance of the hair, but should always leave hair flexible.
Stiff styling products that promise a long-lasting hold can actually precipitate hair breakage when trying to restyle the hair with combing.
Avoid excessive hair color and bleaching
Hair coloring and bleaching are universally damaging to hair. It is sometimes said that chemical processing adds body to the hair.
This means that the dyeing procedure allows the hair to stand away from the scalp with greater ease. This is not due to healthier hair, but rather to hair damage that makes the hair frizzy and more susceptible to static electricity.
Don’t make waves with hair texture
Hair relaxing and permanent waving are two procedures that can be damaging to hair and should only be used on a limited basis.
While hair relaxing can weaken hair, it also can actually facilitate hair length in patients with kinky hair since the hair is less likely to break when combed. The relaxing procedure straightens the hair and makes it easier to groom, however, Dr. Draelos cautioned that the grooming should be done gently to avoid hair fracture.
When using permanent waving, the curls should be as loose as possible with the interval between procedures being as long as possible.
For patients with damaged hair, the perming solution should be weak and left in contact with the hair for as short a period as possible.
American Academy of Dermatology http://www.short-hair-style.co
Article Source: http://www.haircarearticles.com/article/Hair-Care-Tips
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