Of course you can cut your hair if you have split ends-but eventually you’ll cut all your hair right off if that’s your only solution. The ends of your hair split because they’re dry from using the hair dryer or curling iron, from harsh chemical treatments, or from just being out in the environment. Cutting off the bottom inch or so removes split ends you can see but the hair is usually damaged much further up. Take action to heal split ends and prevent them from forming.
Treat your hair to a deep condition once a week for dry hair or every two weeks for normal to oily hair. Deep conditioning products are hot oil treatments and cream conditioners. Visit your stylist for a super deep conditioning treatment once a month-or as often as you can afford it.
Step 1: Deep Condition At Home
Make your own hot oil treatment. Buy food grade coconut oil, almond oil, or sesame oil from the grocery store. If you’re feeling especially fancy, get some rosemary or sage essential oil. Depending on the length of your hair, mix 1 tablespoon to 1/8 cup of oil with 3 to 8 drops of essential oil in a bowl or bottle and place in a pan of hot water straight from the tap. Let it warm for about 10 minutes. Apply to wet, clean hair and cover with a warm towel or shower cap for 20 minutes or longer-even overnight. To wash the oil out, apply straight shampoo to your hair without wetting, lather up, and then rinse. Repeat if necessary.
Step 2: Don’t Shampoo Your Hair Too Much
Shampoo less frequently. Shampoo actually dries your hair out, requiring you to balance drying effects with conditioner. This cycle leads to horribly dry hair covered with residue. Skip the shampoo for a day whenever you can so your hair has time to recover its natural oils in between cleanings.
Step 3: Go for Organic Hair Care
Use natural hair care products. Natural shampoo and conditioner clean your hair without stripping it of natural oil or leaving residue behind. Read the ingredients on the bottle: avoid products contain cetearyl or cetyl alcohol, sulfates of any kind, and propylene glycol. Personally, I have used Alba Organics, Young Living hair products, and Nature Rich Mineral Soap over the years. Recently I’ve fallen in love with Burt’s Bees products.
Step 4: Massage Your Way to Healthy Hair
Massage your head every single day for 5 to 10 minutes. Not only will this help stimulate the natural oils in your hair and help it grow long and healthy, it is incredibly relaxing. Do the massage right before falling asleep.
Tip: Use a soft bristle brush to brush your hair, or use a soft brush and then a comb if you require more styling control. Your hair will appreciate it very much.
Tip: Wear a hat or scarf over your hair if you must be out in the sun for more than a few minutes, even in the winter.
Warning: Avoid using hair dryers, hair straightening tools, and curling irons. If this is impossible because you want your hair to look a certain way, leave your hair slightly damp when using a hair dryer and only use the curling iron or hair straightening tool when you absolutely must.
