It’s essential to use proper and high-quality hair products to maintain a consistent hair care routine. There are a lot of available products on the market that allow you to care for your hair. Little did you know many of these products contain toxic and harmful ingredients that can cause more damage than you can imagine. Hair is quite complicated though, so let’s get into detail on how you should properly care for it.
Hair types
Hair types describe the texture of your hair and the pattern in which it grows. It can be silky straight, super wavy or extremely curly. Hair texture refers to the thickness or diameter of hair strands. It can be fine, medium, thick or coarse. Fine hair is typically prone to breakage, especially if it’s more dry. Normal hair has more protein structure than fine hair, but isn’t as thick as coarse hair. Coarse hair consists of thicker strands, holds curls very well, but tends to be frizzy.
Hair porosity is how the hair absorbs moisture and retains it. Usually most hair types need a lot of moisture to stay healthy. Properly moisturised hair looks healthier and grows faster.
Type 1 – Straight
Hair that is straight has a tendency to get greasy and shiny. It’s thinner and the oil travels down the shaft more quickly.
Type 2 – Naturally Wavy
Naturally wavy has a slight curl/wave to it and it tends to be thicker than Type 1 hair.
Type 3 – Curly
This is the curliest hair type. It has defined, springy curls and it tends to be easy to style.
Type 4: Very Curly or Kinky
This type has defined and springy curls. It’s coarse in texture and also more sensitive and prone to heat damage.
Straight hair should be washed more often since it has a lot of natural shine and can get oily quickly. Volumising shampoos and conditioners will give your fine hair texture, volume and body. This type shouldn’t use products that are heavy or rich in their consistency since they can weigh down the hair. A good idea is to flip your hair upside down when you blow dry it, since it gives it more volume. Dry shampoo also adds more volume and soaks up excess oil. Try a blunt haircut or layers to have your hair looking thicker.
Wavy Hair tends to be frizzy. In order to control the frizz without weighing down the hair and ruining the waves, it’s important to use moisturising products that aren’t too thick in their consistency. Adding moisture and volume gives the hair body and movement. Shampoos and conditioners for this hair type should reduce frizz and add moisture. Styling mousse on damp hair will help with stylizing and keeping the frizziness down. Diffusers are also a good option to leave the hair less frizzy and more defined. A layered haircut will give volume and keep the hair looking thick.
Curly Hair also tends to be frizzy and hard to style. It’s important to regularly moisturise the hair and keep it tamed. The ideal shampoo and conditioner can keep the hair hydrated and add some definition to curls. For defined curls apply a bit of mousse and gently comb the hair to not ruin the actual shape of the curl. The shorter you cut your hair, the curlier your hair will look and the thicker the texture will be.
Hair care routine
It’s important to have a proper hair care routine in your everyday care routine.
- First, determine your hair type – everyone has a different type. Each has different needs and ways to take care of it. Try to avoid heat styling products and go a few days with your natural hair. This will help you see your hair type – it will be either oily, normal, dry, thick, fine, straight, curly, or wavy. Once you know your type, buy products that best fit its needs.
- Avoid washing your hair everyday. You don’t need to wash it everyday – it’s best to do that every two days. You should only wash it when it’s dirty, not out of habit. Dry hair should be washed even less often.
- Wash your hair with lukewarm or cool water. Hot water can dry out your hair and strip it of its natural oils. With cool water your hair will naturally stay shiny and healthy-looking.
- Always use conditioner. Conditioners moisturise the hair and leave it silky. Avoid the roots and only focus on the ends. Dry hair can especially use a conditioner.
- Air dry as much as possible. Heat from blow dryers can extremely damage the hair and strip it of it’s oils.
- Brush only with a wide-tooth comb – especially if it’s wet. This type of comb is best to remove any tangles. A regular brush can pull and break the hair, especially because wet hair is more to breakage.
- Apply heat protectant. If you enjoy using flat irons, curlers or blow dryers, invest in a heat protecting product which acts as a barrier between your natural hair and the heat.
- Visit your hair stylist regularly. A haircut freshens up the hair and gets rid of split ends. Try to trim your hair around every six weeks. If it is something that’s costly for you, try learning how to trim your hair by yourself with special salon scissors.
- Dye it as little as possible. Hair dye contain many harmful chemicals that also dry out the hair. It is very damaging, especially if you bleach it.
- Have a healthy diet. Try eating more food with a lot of nutrients. Some of them include protein, folic acid, vitamin B6 and essential fatty acids. Avoid smoking.
- Protect from the sun – sun damage is just as damaging to the hair as it is to the skin. Try using a product with SPF protection, especially if you colour-treated hair. Hats are also a good option.
- Use hair masks. Using a deeply nourishing hair mask around once a week can restore damaged hair and make it shiny. A mask moisturises and refreshens the hair.
Toxic ingredients
There are so many reasons to choose organic products. Hair products contain so many chemicals and toxic ingredients that are bad for your body. Some examples are:
- Fragrances: they are very hazardous to your health. They’ve been associated with dermatitis, allergies, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system.
- Mineral Oil and petroleum: they coat your hair and scalp so much that they are more harmful than helpful. They can cause acne, hindered skin respiration, imbalanced oil levels in your scalp, and skin irritation.
- Benzene: a toluene that can damage the respiratory system, irritate the skin, and cause developmental damage in fetuses.
- Synthetic colors: D&C Red 27 or FD&C Blue 1 are derived from petroleum or coal sources. These synthetic colors are known to be carcinogenic, skin irritants, and linked to ADHD in children. The European Union has even banned the use of these ingredients.
- Toluene: a solvent that can dissolve paint, but it is also found in some hair color/bleaching products. It can affect the respiratory system, irritate the skin, and cause developmental damage in the fetus. It’s also frequently labelled as benzene, tuluol, phenylmethane, or methylbenzene.
- Formaldehyde: an irritating preservative to the skin and eyes. It is a known animal carcinogen, and can increase cancer risk for humans.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): it strips oil and dirt well, but stop the natural serum production that moisturises the hair. It isn’t so bad for oily hair, but it’s bad for dry and curly hair.
Recommendations
TGIN Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo
This shampoo is packed with aloe vera that soothes the hair. It also contains many lightweight natural oils that nourish the hair. This shampoo improves hair health drastically and gives manageable hair. It’s enriched with both coconut and amla oil to reduce breakage and increase moisture retention for moisturised and healthy hair. Not only does the oil reduce breakage, but the vitamins in the shampoo also do. It gives double strengthening power.
Palmer’s Lavender Rose Water Conditioner
They’re known for their cocoa and shea butter body creams. This hair product smells amazing and fruity. It has many strengthening botanicals and is great for detangling hair.
Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream
It doesn’t contain any mineral oil, sulfates, silicones, parabens, gluten, or paraffin. It’s great for natural hair to soften it and to repair breakage. It also deeply penetrates into the scalp and reduces frizz and flyaways. Made with 100% Pure Shea butter and formulated without harsh ingredients. It can even be used daily.
Rahua
Their sulfate, paraben and gluten-free organic shampoo is sourced and processed with traditional methods. It’s also cruelty-free which is a huge plus. The brand was developed by a native Ecuadorian and their products are uniquely made in accordance with traditional Quechua methods and rituals. They are committed to making clean, natural and organic products that deeply hydrate and repair the hair. This is a must-have product!
Creme of Nature Style & Shine Foaming Mousse
It’s a great natural product that works great for holding and styling hair. It keeps it in place all day while also giving it a healthy shine. It creates soft wraps and defines curls. The product doesn’t build up and can be used everyday after washing the hair. It’s gentle enough to be used daily.
Dr. Alkaitis
This brand offers an amazing shampoo that is shockingly 100% edible! It’s certified organic and cruelty-free. The products are made by hand in California. Alkaitis products are high-quality and made from their own extracts. They bring out the natural texture of hair and make it look fantastic. Some ingredients include wildcrafted plants, seeds, oils and sea vegetables.
Don’t neglect your hair! Use hair products that are only safe and beneficial for the hair. There’s no need to pack hundreds of harmful toxins when you can just order something organic and not worry at all.
