DIY Hair Care Tips

As a child I had to learn how to do my hair at a very early age. I was the third oldest of 7 and there were 5 females in our home. I always desired to have long beautiful healthy hair but it seemed like only the girls who could afford to go to the hairdresser had nice hair. One thing that doing my own hair taught me is, like knowing your own body you know how to cater to it's needs, and the same goes for your hair. Hairdressers can make a good diagnosis for instance, if your hair is too dry, too many split ends, dry scalp etc... You, yourself can save allot of money by buying your own products and simply doing it yourself. Doctors can make a diagnosis of what is wrong with your body and write you a prescription but it is you who have to go and obtain the prescription and take it yourself. This way it is clear that it is the medicine that works and not the doctor. The same goes for your hair. I consider myself a hair doctor and I am here to help you by providing you with diagnosis for hair problems that are common and easily cured by your own hands.

Dry scalp- Usually dry scalp is cause by excessive heat exposure directly to the scalp, lack of greasing the scalp, non use of hair conditioners, and irritation caused by perming, hair dyes, and permanent wave treatments.

A well-watered garden will always produce healthy vegetables. The water being the grease, the ground being the scalp, and the vegetables being the hair.
If the ground is overly exposed to the sun it would dry out all the water leaving the ground dry enabling the vegetables to grow, and they would just whither away, in hair terminology fall out! So do not use excessive heat. If you are doing a roller set, or any type of hairstyle that requires you to use a dryer try applying a small amount of blow dry lotion to the hair and scalp, this protects the hair and scalp from heat. Also instead of putting the dryer on high heat put it on low heat. If you have long thick hair try using high and low heat in timely increments of how ever minutes you so choose.

When choosing grease, or moisturizer for your hair pick one that fits your budget, as long as it contains enriched vitamins or some type of oil, it will saturate the scalp just the same as the salon brands theirs just smell allot better or worse depending on the gimmick. Oil treatments are also good for dry scalps. Oil treatments can either be self heating, placed in a warm cup of water, or placed in the microwave for under 7 seconds. The oil treatment provides a deep moisturization to the scalp.

The scalp is like a field of skin and skin has to be conditioned or it will become dry, flaky, and begin to peel. So always condition your hair and scalp every time you wash your hair. Depending on what condition you want your hair to be in is how you determine what conditioner to buy. Whether you want soft hair, body, shiny hair, curly hair, straight etc... There is a conditioner some can do it all, those are the more expensive, and some can do combinations.
Deep conditioning should be done at lease twice a month as you get to know your hair you will know exactly how often.
Leave in conditioners is good if you wear allot of "up do's" or braided hairstyles but can also be used every two-week.
Do not over condition your hair we call this over processing the hair. It will cause the hair to be too hard to style, and manage. The conditioner will also flake up after being dry causing the hair to look as if you have dandruff.

All of this may seem like its time consuming and it can be, but it's worth it. When caring for the scalp use grease, low heat, or blow-dry lotion, a good conditioner or even a hot oil treatment.

Secret: The dirtier the hair is the more it grows, as longs as the scalp is taken care of and well conditioned.

Now lets talk about the benefits of taking care of the scalp. The hair growth. Now that the scalp is happy the hair can begin to grow. You want your hair to be shiny, body, no split ends, no breakage, and elasticity.
Many of these functions can be achieved with allot of the products previously mentioned but there are other products that can be a bit of an upgrade.

Everyone wants mirrors shiny hair. Hair that you can basically see your reflection in. Shampoos and conditioners can contain agents that provide shine. Oil treatments can also do the trick. As can grease and moisturizers. There are also pro-vitamins also known as pro-v pills that help add an incredible shine. They come in little soft caplets and are to be squeezed on to the hair while wet and then styled as desired. There are also oil sheen sprays and non-oil based sprays that can be sprayed on the hair whether it's wet or dry.

No one wants flat, lifeless looking hair. We want hair that moves in the wind and bounces with the beat of our stride. We want body. A good conditioner for body should be used and then followed up by a body enhancing foam or mousse better if applied to the hair while it's wet. There are also moisturizers that can be applied to the hair when it's dry. Refrain from using to many body enhancers you want a lift not a puff or a poof!

Split-Ends can be a nuisance. You can have a well-conditioned scalp, bright shiny flowing hair, but split-ends make it all look in vain. That's like having a brand-new car all waxed and shined but the paints chipping. Split-ends can take away the value from your hair. Split-ends are merely impossible to eliminate but they can be tamed. Cut your ends at least once a month. Use products aimed towards the ridding of split-ends. There is also a Pro-V pill specially formulated to the prevention of them. Tie your hair up at night the constant tossing and turning of the head can cause your hair to be snagged and pulled. Comb and brush your hair to rid away the split-ends.

Handle your hair how you want to be handled. The rougher you are on your hair the more it is going to break away. Be gentle your hair is your friend. Make sure the hair is not tangled before combing if so use a detangler. If your hair has been neglected and untreated use a product specifically for damaged hair or hair revitalization.

Elasticity is also important. It's the strength in every strand of hair. You want strong hair that can sustain the abuse of everyday wear and tear. You want your hair to be able to be pulled, but not removed, shaken but not loosed, battered but not broken.

So look in the mirror and tell your hair that by your hands it will grow and I decree it so. So let it be!!!!

I was once unable to wear my hair in a pony-tail. Now my pony-tail hangs down my back.