Hair is the ultimate form of self-expression. You can dye it, cut it, or leave it long, depending on the look you want. Longer hair can be more prone to breakage, however, so it’s important to take preventative steps to keep it healthy.
Protect Yourself From UV Rays
It isn’t just your skin that is affected by the sun. UV rays impact your hair, too, by making it thinner and more brittle. Avoid the damage by wearing a hat and staying out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., which is when the rays will be strongest. If you’re not into hat hair, there are also a number of styling products that have sunscreen properties. A mousse or a light oil with those ingredients will protect your hair without weighing it down.
Get a Haircut
As counterintuitive as it may seem, a haircut will actually make your hair grow longer and stronger over time. Going without a trim for too long makes your strands dry, weak, and prone to splitting. The next time you sit in the stylist’s chair, just ask for a “dusting.” This technique doesn’t take off any actual length since it’s just a grooming step. Dusting only cuts the very bottom of the hair, where all those split ends may be lurking. The process is time consuming but worth it. An extra bonus is that dusting is often cheaper than a more significant trim.
Take Care of the Whole Strand
Speaking of split ends, there’s a way to prevent them from happening in the first place. Choose a gentle shampoo that doesn’t have harsh, oil-stripping ingredients. Only scrub your scalp, as the rest of your hair will get washed with the runoff. When you scrub your scalp, use your fingertips as much as possible so you’re not digging in with your nails.
Wear a Wig
Wigs are helpful in two ways. Most importantly, they protect your hair as you’re growing it out. They attach to your head via a drawstring, interlocking combs, or a clip. Wigs also allow you to try out a new, longer hairstyle, or even a shorter one, before you commit to it. Custom made wigs are a good choice if you have a unique hair texture and aren’t sure where to start.
Long hair makes for virtually unlimited styling opportunities. Looking for inspiration is a great rabbit hole, but don’t forget that healthy hair is the loveliest look of all.
About the author:
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.