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As the weather warms up during the springtime, it’s time to break out a new haircare routine. Think of the season as a fresh start; a time for renewal and new beginnings. Why not start with applying a few new, healthy habits to your hair care routine while at home? From DIY at-home treatments to easy hair hacks, try these spring hair care ideas for healthy looking locks.
1. Stop washing your hair every day
The oils produced naturally by our scalp help keep hair moisturized and strong. But washing your hair too often can dry it out and cause breakage. Rather than washing hair every day, space out washes to every other day or twice a week (adapt based on what works best for your hair type). You can also do a water-only wash and skip the shampoo to remove dirt, or try a dry shampoo to prevent hair from looking greasy.
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2. Try a coconut oil treatment
Coconut oil has so many uses, from cleaning teeth to flavoring foods. It also provides a great treatment for hair and skin. A 2015 report found that plant-derived oils, like from coconut, reduces protein loss for undamaged and damaged hair when used as a pre-wash and post-wash grooming product.
Keep in mind that too much can weigh down hair or make it look greasy. To avoid buildup, start with a small amount (no more than a teaspoon) and gently massage the oil through your hair, beginning at the midsection working toward the ends.
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3. Use a henna hair treatment
When you prefer a natural, at-home way to color your hair, try henna. Henna is a plant (lawsonia inermis) that grows in hot, dry climates like India. The leaves are harvested, dried, and ground into a fine powder then turned into a paste. People use it to dye hair, skin, and even fingernails.
Hair dye for henna works great with all hair types. It gives a reddish, earthy color but can also mix with other plants for different hues. When blended with other plants like indigo, it creates a variety of shades including dark brown and black.
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4. Run a hot and cold water wash
Both hot and cold water have benefits for your hair, so make sure to incorporate both into your hair care routine. Start with warm water, which helps remove dirt and excess oil. Shampoo hair and rinse with lukewarm water. Next, condition your hair. Rinse with cold water to seal moisture, leaving the scalp hydrated.
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5. Make a DIY detangler for kids
Little ones can get extra sensitive when it comes to brushing their hair. Hydrating ingredients help brush out knots without pulling hair. Create your own DIY detangler by taking an empty spray bottle. Add 2-3 tablespoons of conditioner. Fill the rest with water. Then add your favorite essential oil, like eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender. Spray some on your child’s hair and gently work out tangles (or add some to your own hair for a refreshing spritz).
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6. Heal hair with at-home masks
The cold and dry winter months can wreak havoc on hair, causing things like split ends. Check your kitchen cabinet because you likely have lots of natural ingredients to relieve damage. Try some of these at-home remedies like:
Egg yolk and olive oil mask to give frizzy hair a healthy shine. Leave on for about 30 minutes before washing with lukewarm water.
The sugar and protein in beer helps to repair damaged hair follicles. Apply after shampooing and leave on for 2-3 minutes before rinsing it off.
Honey heals hair and dryness in the scalp. Make a honey mask with curd, olive oil, and egg yolk. Leave on hair for about 20 minutes before washing it off.
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7. Plan ahead for your next trim
Regular trimming keeps hair looking healthy by removing split ends. But with circumstances keeping people indoors, hairdressers are out of work and unable to offer their skills. So if you can’t go in for a trim just yet, support your hairdresser and buy a gift certificate in advance.
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