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SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL HAIR REPAIR

Healthy, lustrous hair usually doesn't just happen. It's often the result of regular hair care, gentle handling and the proper use of hair care products. Most of us, at one time or another, have experienced damaged hair.
But you CAN restore the natural shine and lustre to your dry, damaged hair by following these 20 easy tips for Afro hair.

• Hair can be damaged by excessive perming and overlapping of chemicals and should therefore be conditioned regularly. Apply conditioner after shampooing. Conditioner should be left in the hair for at least 20 minutes.
   
• Choose a conditioner which suits your specific hair type. It is also important to know how healthy your hair is, hence different hair textures need different conditioners. Normal hair needs less conditioning than dry hair. If your hair is dry, use a deep penetrating conditioner once a week until the hair becomes healthier.
   
• As your hair becomes healthier and stronger, decrease the use of deep conditioning until it is required only once a month.
   
• Comb hair thoroughly to distribute conditioner throughout the scalp. If hair is excessively dry or the ends are brittle, apply a 'leave in' conditioner to your hair. Don't over use this as the hair could become greasy. Comb hair and style as required.
   
• Use a creme rinse conditioner for more softness and shine for hair that can be managed.
   
• When hair is chemically treated it tends to be dry and sometimes damaged. Therefore, hair should be immediately conditioned. Use hair repair to help restore the health back into your hair.
   
• Damage can happen as a result of everyday combing, brushing, teasing and sometimes from wearing a ponytail. This can cause split ends and breakage. Hair behaves like grass, therefore when it is cut frequently it is inclined to be thick and strong. But, when left uncut will grow with no body and shine.
   
• When you wash your hair regularly with improper conditioning products, damage can be caused this way. There is the need these days to shampoo hair regularly. So, try to stay away from cheap brands not designed for Afro textured hair. These can over strip hair of essential oils which can cause
  damage. Commit your hair to shampoos which are specially made for Afro textured hair.
   
• Don't over use hair appliances such as hot combs, blow dryers and curling tongs. All these devices can cause damage if used to excess. If you need to use these items throughout the year, after a while your hair may look limp, weak and unhealthy. These items can be used but do so in moderation and with proper protection products such as conditioning treatments. If you use leave-in hair treatments daily, they will protect, moisturise and condition hair. These conditioners turn dry lifeless hair into soft, shining and manageable hair that can truly be called your crowning glory.
   
• There are several conditioners available to choose from which are suitable for all hair types. Natural herbal hair and scalp pomades aid growth.
   
• Conditioning treatments with cholesterol are good for all hair types. These conditioners repair damage by penetrating the hair shaft. It is therefore effective on hair that is damaged by chemicals, also on split ends, colour treatments and styling.
   
• Detangling conditioners are used to untangle hair before brushing or combing. Many of these are
  leave-in conditioners and work well on tangled hair. So, if you choose one do not wash it out. Always use a detangling comb or a basic wide toothed comb to style.
   
• Trim split ends immediately. If you don't then it is most likely that hair will break off which makes it uneven and untidy. Hair is more fragile with regrowth so, condition hair often and handle it gently.
   
• If you find you have problem areas, keep them moisturised and do the same for your scalp. Be sparing in your use of blow drying and curling tongs on these areas taking special care of the edges.
   
• Daily hair and scalp treatment helps between shampoos. Try nourishment creams and hair growth formulas to encourage growth.
   
• Blow drying takes away essential moisture from hair and scalp so if used frequently can cause dry, brittle hair that constantly breaks. Conditioning lotion serves to protect against heat. When blow-drying, hold dryer six inches from the hair and do not hold on any one area for long periods.
   
• Try to roll hair while wet and let it dry naturally. Try sitting under a cool dryer.
   
• Hair weaves and plaits also give the hair a rest from the everyday tussles. Choose from a range of hair and scalp oils to help manage weaves and plaits.
   
• If your hair breaks regularly, it gives the impression that your hair is not growing. If you use moisturising hair treatment daily, this will help to prevent the hair from breaking.
   
• Treatments available include leave-in conditioners by African Pride; At One and Allways 999. Also helpful is Dark & Lovely Cholesterol Conditioning Treatment; African Pride Hair Scalp & Skin Oil; Palmers Pressing Oil and TCB Pressing Oil.