How To Manage Braids, Cornrows, And Locks
Does your hair fall short of spectacular, despite your best efforts? In order to achieve and maintain healthy, shining braids, you must know how to properly manage your hair.
Some tell-tale symptoms of unhealthy hair are split ends, knots and frizz. These conditions make your hair difficult to cope with on a day-to-day basis. To do away with them once and for all, you must first understand the nature of your hair. Like skin, hair is sensitive and prone to damage. It must be cared for appropriately according to its natural type and texture.
Avoid Excessive Blow Drying
Frequent blow-drying can destroy the integrity of your hair considerably. You should blow-dry your hair only when necessary, and when you do, it’s important to use a nozzle on the end of the dryer. This prevents your hair from getting too close to the hot coils, which can burn strands. The general rule of thumb is that if you disperse the concentrated heat coming out of the dryer, it is less likely to cause damage to your hair.
Choose the Right Hair Care Products
Your hair’s condition greatly depends on how frequently you wash it as well as the quality of the products you use. Washing hair too often may deprive it of its natural oils, and shampooing more than three to four times weekly may lead to unnecessary dryness and breakage. In addition, those two-in-one shampoos that claim to contain conditioner are actually quite harsh on the hair, causing it to become brittle and tangled. Instead, choose a shampoo and conditioner that compliment each other when caring for your braids and cornrows. Look for products containing hair-boosting ingredients like panthenol which help to strengthen the hair shaft.
Use Natural Coloring Treatments
While hair color can add a whole new look to your locks and braids, dyeing the hair makes it more susceptible to breakage. Since bleaching the hair causes it to become straw-like in texture, it is better to use coloring products that are extracted from natural plant colorants such as black malva flowers, chamomile and henna.
Another golden rule for keeping your hair in great condition is to brush it frequently, which stimulates natural oil production. You might also choose to massage your scalp with a mixture of jojoba oil and any other essential oil of your choice.
When it comes to braids, cornrows, and locks, a little loving care can go a long way and make your braided hair your most cherished possession.
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By Marquetta Breslin
Sep 18, 2005 - 11:15:00 PM
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