5 Unexpected Perks of Healthy Hair. The journey to Healthy Hair Just Keeps on Giving.
By Katie Muirhead
When you think of healthy hair, you probably think of the long, silky tresses blowing in the wind, a la hair care commercials. While of course, this could be what healthy hair looks like for you, the reality is that it will look, feel and behave differently for everyone.
Healthy hair can be defined as hair that is adequately hydrated, has a sealed cuticle, and is free from split ends. In this health condition, each strand is able to retain nutrients, moisture, and is prevented from tangling. While this may look like hair-commercial-hair for you, no matter what your hair type, healthy hair is smoother, more vibrant, and with a more defined texture. And the good news is, the perks don’t stop there. The journey to healthy hair just keeps on giving. Here are 5 unexpected advantages of having healthy hair:
1. Color, Your Way
Whether you have colored, highlighted, or virgin hair, one of the most important factors to consider before any color treatment is the hair’s condition. If the hair is damaged, not only will any processing further interfere with hair health, the color just won’t look nearly as good. Unsealed cuticles and dehydrated strands can lead to patchy color that washes out faster, and fried ends that get snagged and break.
On the other hand, hair that is nourished and has an abundance of natural oils may be much easier to color than you realize. With adequate nourishment and a sealed hair cuticle, healthy hair can be safely lifted with bleach or hold on to deposited color more effectively. The result? You have the freedom to express yourself with whatever hair color you want, without having to sacrifice color quality, hair texture or vibrancy.
2. Easier Styling
If you have ever battled damaged hair, you will know that it can be a Catch 22 when it comes to styling. While you know you should avoid heat, your damaged texture just needs that blow dryer or flat iron to make it look presentable. The more damaged it is, the more styling efforts and products are required to feign the look of healthy hair, and the cycle of damage continues.
Healthy hair, however, is much easier to style. Your products will be more effective, your tools will work better, and your hair will hold styles for longer. The irony, however, is that once your hair is nourished and healthy, you likely won’t even want to style it. In time, you may find yourself only reaching for the curling iron for special occasions, or perhaps never at all.
3. The Perfect Air Dry
Which brings us to our next point: you probably won’t ever want to style it because the air dry will be just that good. When the hair cuticle is sealed using natural sealants like Jamaican Black Castor Oil, its natural texture is supported and encouraged. Your curls will be bouncier, you will have more volume at the roots, and you may even discover a natural wave that has never been allowed to shine through.
When letting your hair air dry, it’s important to follow the right technique. The trick is to comb or brush it in the shower, thoroughly massage in your chosen leave-in oil when it’s still completely wet, and then don’t touch. To allow your natural texture and definition to thrive, avoid interfering with the drying process by towel-drying, tying your hair up, or playing with it as it dries.
4. Less Frequent Washing
When your hair is at its optimum health, you won’t need to wash it as much for two reasons: oil production will be regulated and balanced (meaning it doesn’t feel as “greasy”), and your hair will stay looking good for longer (meaning you won’t have the urge to wash it nearly as often).
While it can be hard to break the habit of frequent hair washing, it truly is the best thing you can do for your hair’s health in the long run. The longer it is left between washes, the more natural oils are able to move along the hair strand. It also gives the ingredients from your chosen products a chance to work, meaning you can enjoy more hair benefits while using less product. In time, your hair will adjust to this new wash schedule, and you may find day 3 or 4 hair are your best hair days after all!
5. More Resilient, No Matter the Weather
While you may see humidity as the enemy of a good hair day, the reality is that your hair is constantly responding to its environment. Humidity, wind, sun and pollution can (and will) affect your hair, and that is just a part of life. How your hair responds, however, comes down to hair health.
Healthy hair will, in general, be more resilient against outside stressors. When hair is nourished, hydrated, and naturally sealed, it is able to adapt to changing weather conditions and protect itself from UV rays and the pollution of our modern lives. The key is not to fight against your hair’s natural instinct (by using silicone-heavy products to artificially seal the hair, for example), but rather to use products that support your hair health. The result is hair that is naturally frizz-free, hydrated, and able to adapt to external conditions, whatever the day.
No matter your hair goals, the journey to healthy hair relies on high-quality, natural ingredients that are available to each individual hair strand.
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