Thanks to a pandemic and our whole lives being turned upside down, covering up our roots and worrying about our lifeless tresses may very well be the last thing on our minds. But for those who need a little more self-care at home and want to feel their best despite the runway being from the bed to the couch, now is as good as a time as any to sit with a hair mask on where no one will see you.
So, whether you are working from home or trying to make the most of your lockdown time with some health and wellness, read this piece to find out how you can take care of your damaged hair at home while the salons are closed.
Stay Away from Heat and Bleach
For those among us that love to try out different hairstyles and change the color of our hair frequently, it might just be safe to say that we are aware of the damaging effects that both heat and bleach can have.
Both of these are notorious for damaging our hair shaft and creating the rough and brittle texture we come to stress about. To lessen any further damage, stick to protective styles such as braids or non-heatless styles, and put the bleach down. If your hair is particularly damaged hair at home, refrain from dyeing it at all. Ammonia is also a common addition to hair dyes, which can really do a number on your hair health, so avoid all products with this in too!
Get the Right Hair Mask
It is not one size fits all with hair masks. Many will advocate protein to give hair its strength back or coconut oil to be slathered on everything. But be careful – because these products can also do more harm than good if it is not what your hair needs or does not agree with your hair type. This is the same for natural products, too, so make sure to do some research to find out what your hair might need and how you can give it.
If you are not sure, then, when normality has been restored, any good hairdressers such as Julia Lampard Hair Salon will be able to help you determine what your hair will need.
Use Soft Materials
When we step out of the shower, we might have an uncontrollable urge to rough up our hair with the towel. Towels can be particularly rough on damaged hair (and rubbing our hair can damage it further!) For more gentle drying, use a large t-shirt and pat damp hair gently. You can also put your hair in a protective turban with the t-shirt as well, or use a microfiber towel, which is soft and designed to draw moisture out. Pillowcases can also be too rough on our hair too, so opt for a satin case so the hair can slide around gently while you sleep if you do not wear it in a protective style.