The number one problem affecting long hair is breakage, usually seen as shorter, fly-away strands, or split ends. From the moment you wake up to the time you go to sleep and even as you sleep, there are many factors that can lead to hair breakage.
One of the most common causes is poor maintenance – things like improper brushing and washing and infrequent trimming. Lifestyle factors, such as poor nutrition, stress and even restless sleeping can also lead to hair damage.
The problem is that what many women think is good for their hair may actually be hurting it. Through proper care using simple techniques and the right maintenance products, anyone can have long, beautiful, healthy locks. More after the break...
The Long Hair Care Group recommends the following:
Finger RakingUpon waking, use the back of the hand, run fingers through hair to remove snarls and tangles.
Proper BrushingBend forward, allowing hair to fall. Using only a wooden base natural bristle brush, such as our Long Hair Brush, bring hair from the nape of the neck over the head and down to the ends. Then, stand straight again with hair falling normally and brush from the underside of the hairline down the strands to the ends. Now, brush the top layers into place with long, even strokes. After each stroke, smooth hair with hands to reduce static. Increase the number of strokes weekly, starting with five and increasing by one a week until you find a comfortable routine. If oiliness develops, reduce strokes.
Brush only when dry. Hair is weakest when it is wet and brushing can easily damage it. Even when hair is dry always comb before brushing.
Brush only when dry. Hair is weakest when it is wet and brushing can easily damage it. Even when hair is dry always comb before brushing.
CombingSeparate hair into small sections. With a wide-tooth comb, such as our Long Hair Comb, carefully work from the ends in a downward direction only. Use only a wooden or tortoise shell comb – never rubber. Do not pull or yank hair.
DryingAir-dry whenever possible.
Curling
Use regular hair rollers, winding hair loosely around them. Avoid electric rollers, hot combs, and curling irons, or use these on a cool setting. Pin curls or barrel curls are the safest and fastest methods of drying hair.
Use regular hair rollers, winding hair loosely around them. Avoid electric rollers, hot combs, and curling irons, or use these on a cool setting. Pin curls or barrel curls are the safest and fastest methods of drying hair.
Shampooing
If your hair is dry and brittle, wet hair, then coat with a light conditioner before shampooing, such as our Time Released Moisturizer. This acts as a buffer and helps protect the hair strand. Then begin shampoo by removing dirt through gentle sudsing. We recommend using our Body Essence Shampoo, which is specially formulated with natural botanicals and designed to clean the hair without stripping away its natural oils. Massage your head to increase the blood supply to the scalp and roots. On an as need basis, we recommend using our Detoxifying Shampoo to remove unwanted residues from styling products and the environment.
If your hair is dry and brittle, wet hair, then coat with a light conditioner before shampooing, such as our Time Released Moisturizer. This acts as a buffer and helps protect the hair strand. Then begin shampoo by removing dirt through gentle sudsing. We recommend using our Body Essence Shampoo, which is specially formulated with natural botanicals and designed to clean the hair without stripping away its natural oils. Massage your head to increase the blood supply to the scalp and roots. On an as need basis, we recommend using our Detoxifying Shampoo to remove unwanted residues from styling products and the environment.
Environment
Before going out to the beach or pool, comb conditioner such as our Seaweed Pac, through the hair. This helps to protect hair from the sun, chlorine, salt water, and from the sun's heat, and serves as a deep conditioning treatment.
Wear a hat, cap or scarf if you can to protect hair from over-exposure to the sun, salt or chlorinated water, wind and air pollution.
Before going out to the beach or pool, comb conditioner such as our Seaweed Pac, through the hair. This helps to protect hair from the sun, chlorine, salt water, and from the sun's heat, and serves as a deep conditioning treatment.
Wear a hat, cap or scarf if you can to protect hair from over-exposure to the sun, salt or chlorinated water, wind and air pollution.
Trimming
Have hair trimmed on a regular basis (approximately every two months). This is especially important for growing out layers and/or bangs to reshape and make each stage of growing hair out a style.
Have hair trimmed on a regular basis (approximately every two months). This is especially important for growing out layers and/or bangs to reshape and make each stage of growing hair out a style.
Conditioning
Always apply conditioner from the ears down – never condition the scalp. Do not over-condition.
Conditioning too often can cause the cuticle layer of hair to lift making hair brittle and leading to breakage. Rather than conditioning every day, try our All Purpose Aloe Detangler, for snarl free combing.
Always apply conditioner from the ears down – never condition the scalp. Do not over-condition.
Conditioning too often can cause the cuticle layer of hair to lift making hair brittle and leading to breakage. Rather than conditioning every day, try our All Purpose Aloe Detangler, for snarl free combing.
StylingYour hair style is a reflection of your personality and a wonderful way to express your individuality. All too often conventional styling products contain alcohol or other harsh chemicals. These ingredients are used to keep the hair in place and to give the appearance of shiny healthy hair. In the case of these mass-marketed products the look achieved is only surface deep and they tend to damage the hair. The Long Hair Care Group has developed a highly specialized line of styling products which not only makes your hair look great, they impart essential botanicals and vitamins to each strand, conditioning your hair as they hold it in place and body and give it incredible shine.
Sleeping
Even the way you sleep can affect your hair. Restless sleepers may actually be breaking hair as they sleep.
Even the way you sleep can affect your hair. Restless sleepers may actually be breaking hair as they sleep.
If you’re a restless sleeper, try a satin pillowcase so that the hair glides when you move in your sleep. On regular cotton cases hair can get caught and break.
Putting hair up to sleep is also helpful. Hair should be put in a ponytail on top of the head. Always use rubberbands that are rapped in cloth, commonly known as "scrunchies."