Hair We Go: How To Repair “Bad” Hair

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve threatened my husband with shaving my head, because of the time and effort it takes to primp and preen in the morning, only to end up looking like I’ve done nothing at all. In fact, in my twenties, (much to the chagrin of my beloved counterpart), I actually “did” cut it all off. With me, it hasn’t been a matter of having a bad hair day, or week; it’s more like having a bad hair “life”.

Besides getting a cut and style that’s right for you, experts recommend regular trims and drinking plenty of water for healthier hair. They also recommend styling it less and having more patience, and a few timeless tricks couldn’t hurt either. Here are some for a quick fix.

Overworked, over-processed, damaged locks: If time and money are not an issue, them indulge yourself and your hair in a salon scalp treatment. They are noted for repairing hair immediately and getting your tresses on the road to recovery.

For those opting for a more frugal “fix”, experts suggest a deep-conditioning hair masque, generally requiring no more than a half hour of your time….and, they note, you’ll notice instant improvement. And, they add, that shampooing and conditioning with post-masque will add special luster and shine.

Style with an ionic or tourmaline dryer and a ceramic flat iron or curling iron to eliminate style damage. Set (dryer settings) to warm and not hot, and refrain from exposing hair to heat, once it’s fully dry….this will only cause additional damage and breakage, and make hair look and feel worse.

Listless locks: The simplest repair remedy is washing hair with volumizing shampoo and conditioning only the ends. Experts note that the less product to put in your hair the less you’ll be weighing it down.

They suggest blowing it out with a vent brush or your fingers (at the roots) and concentrating on the airflow close to your scalp.

For additional body, you may want to invest in some foam rollers, but remember, they work best if your hair is clean and product-free. If you have a little extra time and energy to expend, you can curl individual strands in opposing directions with a curling iron. Experts suggest using a ¾ inch barrel for best results. Lock in the look with a texturizing spray for a bit more bounce.

Dreary, Dry And Frizzy: The best solution for dehydrated tresses is conditioner and lots of it. Professional pointers include adding a bit extra to the ends and dry patches, where hair tends to be most parched and dry. Even if you don’t use a leave in conditioner, allow (your conditioner) to penetrate your hair and scalp for at least five minutes prior to rinsing. Rinse by centering the water on the crown of your head rather than aiming it at the ends. Pat hair dry; don’t rub it dry, which will only enhance the problem

Color Catastrophes: According to experts, an inexpensive way to make color repairs is by simply washing it out of your hair. They suggest Prell shampoo, noted for its color-stripping abilities, and hot water, known for helping color fade faster than cold water. While it won’t get rid of color completely its certainly a step in the right direction. Next, wash again, this time with color-enhancing shampoo, to highlight the tones you want to get noticed. Condition well to avoid damage and looking worse.

Feel like taking a risk? Consider applying temporary do-it-yourself highlights or color. Not only are these dies temporary, but they also wash out fairly easily.

Split Ends: The best way to avoid split ends is by having them trimmed regularly. The next best thing is hot-oil (treatments) to help keep ends together. Shine serums can also be very helpful, especially when applied before blow-drying.

Greasy Hair: Experts advise shampooing frequently (preferably daily) and using a shampoo that contains zinc. Shampoo is not damaging as long as the product you choose is gentle and won’t strip your hair of its natural emollients. Try not to condition the roots and scalp, and you’ll have better luck keeping your hair shine-free.

Pressed for time? Dab some baby powder among your roots to help absorb the existing oils. Make sure you shake out excess powder. A quick midday fix can be achieved by blotting your scalp with a facial oil-blotting strip.