2018 is the year for better hair care

Edona Maracaj Contributing Writer

Avid social media users are probably familiar with the whole concept of “new year, new me.” However, people rarely stick to the resolutions that they’ve promised themselves.

One promise that should be kept this year is better hair care. Through Instagram and Twitter, it has become nearly impossible to avoid the advertisements that throw new haircare vitamins and gummies at users.

However, spending endless amounts of money on something that may or may not work is not a great trade, especially for college students. Some of the best things you could do for your hair this year is giving it the time and attention it needs. Some of the best products don’t have to be high end.

Here are some tips for keeping your hair happy and healthy:

1. Don’t overwater

Just like how a flower gets ruined from overwatering, the same thing can happen to your hair. Washing your hair every single day can actually do more damage than good. If you wash your hair every day, it can remove the natural oils that are actually beneficial to your hair. It is actually recommended that skipping a day or two in between hair washes helps. If you have hair that gets oily quickly, try a dry shampoo that can be found at your local drug store.

2. Too hot or too tight

One of the worst things that could be done to hair is applying heat or tightening it too much when braiding it or tying it up in a bun. Instead of applying heat every day, give your hair some time to breathe and try a heatless hair style approach, which can be found through a simple YouTube search. As for tightening hair, let it down or do a loose braid, therefore minimalizing pulling out any hairs. For the people who have frizzy hair that needs to be tamed with heat, try a trim. Every 6-8 weeks, trim a small bit off the ends. Not too much to be noticeable, but it will help with split ends, according to a cjwarrensalon.com article. You also shouldn’t forget to use a comb on your hair if it is not knotted or wet, not a brush.

3. READ

Something that almost everyone is guilty of doing is not reading what is in the shampoos and conditioners they use. It’s impossible to find a shampoo or conditioner that doesn’t include ingredients that won’t damage your hair, which is why it is suggested that making an investment into organic shampoos and conditioners is worth it. But if those are too expensive, try searching online which brands are most commonly used by professionals. Many actually use drugstore shampoo and conditioner, and some of the best drugstore shampoos and conditioners are actually organic.

4. Mask your hair

One of the biggest trends that’s slowly set in and only seems to be getting more popular is hair masks. As stated before, washing too often can actually damage hair, and hair masks are meant to help bring back moisture into your locks, according to a garnierusa.com article. For dry hair, this is definitely something to look into.

5. Oils

Since hair masks can be expensive, an alternative is to add oils to your hair. If you choose to use oils, try to buy organic, as they contain fewer chemicals. Whether it be coconut, argan or castor oils, they are beneficial for hair growth and thickness. Application can be done several different ways. One is to apply is to the roots of the hair, massage and let it sit, then wash it off with shampoo. Another option is to let it sit in your hair all night and then wash it off in the morning. You can also just apply is to the ends of your hair or higher sections, if contact with the roots is to be avoided. Applying this 1-2 times a week is preferred, according to the garnierusa.com article.

Hair care is something that is essential. Along with maintaining a healthy diet, maintaining healthy hair is just as important. Even if results aren’t seen right away, these methods are only beneficial in the long run.