Most people are looking to get healthy-looking, shiny hair. However, there are many things in our daily lives that can leave our hair dull and tired looking and we might think only a professional hair stylist can get our hair back to health. But that’s not always the case – there are steps we can take at home to nourish our hair and leave it soft and shiny.
Use a hair gloss
A hair gloss is a great home treatment for restoring shine and vibrancy to your hair. It’s perfect for boosting the intensity of dyed hair in between visits to the salon, or you can find a clear hair gloss that leaves your hair glossy without depositing any color.
Hair gloss will infuse your hair with nourishing oils to hydrate the hair cuticle and seal in moisture. A color-depositing hair gloss can also neutralize unwanted tones and shades in your dyed hair, leaving a fresh, vibrant color.
Protect your hair from heat
Heat can damage your hair, causing the cuticle to open and leaving hair looking dull. If you use heat styling tools regularly, you should consider reducing your use so you can protect your hair from the heat. You could also try lowering the temperature on your styling tools, so the heat isn’t intense.
When you blow dry your hair, keep the dryer at least six inches away from your hair and try to keep it moving, so the heat isn’t concentrated in one spot for too long. You can get hold of different styling and drying tools from mdlondon that can help you take care of your hair.
When you use heat styling tools, such as hair dryers, curling tongs, or straighteners, you should always use a heat protecting product to keep your hair safe. This could be in spray form or as a serum that you apply directly to your hair.
You should also avoid washing your hair in water that is too hot, as this too can damage your hair. Rinsing your hair with lukewarm or cool water can help to seal the cuticle and leave it smooth and shiny.
Use a clarifying shampoo once a week
If you use a lot of hair product, you could find that product build-up dulls your hair’s shine. They can clog the pores on your scalp and stop your natural oils from hydrating the hair cuticle.
Using a clarifying shampoo once a week will clear out all the product build-up, helping to restore shine to your hair. You should be careful not to use a clarifying shampoo too often though, as it can strip the natural oils from your scalp and leave your hair dry and brittle. They can also fade the color of dyed hair, so speak to your stylist about the best option for your hair or look for a clarifying shampoo designed for dyed hair.
Use a silk pillowcase
When your hair breaks, it causes it to look frizzy and dull. To help avoid damage to your hair and keep it shiny, you could use a silk or satin pillowcase. The typical cotton pillowcases can be quite rough and cause breakages to your hair overnight. Silk and satin pillowcases are much smoother and gentler for your hair.
Brush your hair
Brushing your hair will help to distribute the natural oils from your scalp down to the end of your hair, which smooths the cuticle so it looks shiny. Some brushes can damage your hair, but a boar bristle brush has soft bristles that are gentle on hair.
You should brush your hair at least once or twice a day but avoid brushing when it’s wet. Wet hair can be more prone to breakages and damage. Instead, detangle wet hair with a wide tooth comb or a brush specifically designed for use on wet hair.
Avoid hair products with sulfates and silicones
Many hair products contain sulfates and silicones. Sulfates are used in some shampoos to help remove oil and dirt, whereas silicones are used to coat the hair strands to them silky smooth.
However, if used too often or on the wrong hair type, sulfates can strip away the natural oils on the scalp, leaving hair dry and dull. While silicones do leave hair soft and silky, they leave a layer on the hair strands that blocks any other nutrients from entering. Over time, this can leave hair brittle and dry.
It can be best to look for hair products that avoid using sulfates or silicones, to prevent them from damaging or drying out your hair. This can help to improve the shininess of your hair.
Nourish from the inside
Getting the right nutrients into your body can help to make hair healthy and shiny. Food that’s high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, such as mackerel, salmon, broccoli, blueberries, nuts and seeds can help to nourish your hair and leave it revitalized.