15 ways to relax your hair

Hair Care: 15 ways to relax your hair

Indian climate, pollution and spending most of your time in air conditioned offices can damage your hair. Give your hair a break! We list out 15 hair care tips that will help de-stress your hair and make it stronger.

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #1

What can cause stress to the hair
Pollution can play havoc to the texture of your hair. When dust and chemicals from pollution settles on your hair it can damage it. Women tend to cover their hair with a scarf, but summer heat will only make it unbearable with a scarf around your head. It will increase sweating and secretion of sebum that will make your hair oily.

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #2

What can cause stress to the hair
Climate is another reason that can cause the hair to weaken and result in poor hair growth. A big difference in temperature or extreme temperatures - too cold or too hot - can cause havoc to hair.

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #3

What can cause stress to the hair
Dr. Nipun Jain, Senior Consultant in Dermatology at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute lists out everyday practices that are stressful for the hair. She says, "Over-brushing the hair can cause split ends and breakage."

This is something you may have realised everytime you brush your hair, over brushing adds strain on the hair causing it to break.

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #4

What can cause stress to the hair
"Ponytails and braids," add pressure to your hair says the dermatologist. She adds, "Ponytails and braids if tied very tight can cause hair to break."

It is important to let your hair loose to help it breathe and prevent stressing it out. Avoid tying your hair if possible to prevent breakage.

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #5

What can cause stress to the hair
"Tying you hair when wet can cause damage sooner because wet hair is more fragile." This is something we are tempted to follow after a shower. She recommends that we gently brush the hair.

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #6

What can cause stress to the hair
Dr. Nipun explains the hair care problems you can face while styling your hair. "Flat iron and blow-drying," is one of the ways you can damage your hair, she adds. "Excessive heat generated from these appliances cause temporary changes to the hydrogen bonds that hold hair together. This result in making the hair look dull."

Avoid electronic styling products and use it only when really necessary, basically avoid them for daily use.

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #7
You hair styling products should be washed off quickly to avoid hair damage. "Gel and mousse should be washed immediately after coming back home, the same way we remove make up."

Mousse and gels contain chemicals that can damage the hair, hence wash off these styling products thoroughly.

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #8
"Take out the hair bands and pins from your hair as soon as possible and let the hair breathe," suggests Dr. Nipun. Keeping your hair tied up for a long duration will add pressure to the roots of the hair making it prone to break.

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #9
Most women tend to braid their hair before going to bed. This will only increase hair loss and hair breakage. Dr. Nipun reiterates, "When going to bed, one should leave their hair loose and open, as tied hair tends to break and become weak."

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #10
Avoid chemical treatments, bleach, straightening in summers. This will make the hair drier. Let your hair grow naturally for a while so that it can rejuvenate and repair hair damage.

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #11
Choose your shampoo thoughtfully. Strong shampoos just make the hair dry, rough and breakable. Today you can choose from a wide range of products at are natural - you have an array of natural soaps and shampoos to choose from.

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #12
After you shampoo your hair, rinse it with cold water to maintain the moisture. Do not forget to apply conditioner, it supplies the necessary minerals and vitamins that are wash away by shampoos.

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #13

Popular hair styles that can add stress to your hair:

Dreadlocks
Corn rows
Backcombing
Permanent straightening

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #14

Avoid these chemicals in your shampoo:

Isopropyl alcohol
Propylene glycol
Polyethylene glycol
Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) & Sodium laureth sulphate(SLES)
DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (momoethanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine)
FD & C Colour pigments
Formaldehyde

Hair care: Ways to relax your hair #15
Do not tumble dry hair as this is rough on hair follicles and causes root damage and hair loss. Gently tab it dry and let it dry naturally
.