Gaga

Gaga is a blogger and founder of the Softer Hair website. She often says that insomnia is to blame for her first blogging attempts. Being the night owl, she hated the morning alarm. She left her office job and returned to what she loved most - writing.

 

Hair Lightener Sprays for the Perfect Summer Look

Using lighting sprays is an easy way to lighten your hair or add natural-looking highlights. Lightening hair sprays are designed to gradually lighten natural blonde or natural light brown hair. Most of these products can also provide subtle lightening effects on colored blonde and colored light brown hair.

A lightening hair spray is designed to lighten your hair up to two levels, depending on the amount of the product you use and how frequently you apply it. Exposure to the sun and using hot tools can speed up the lightening process.

You’ll need to apply the product at least a few times before seeing any noticeable effects. The first results are usually visible after 3 – 5 applications. If you have medium blonde hair, it may take about 10 applications to achieve a light blonde shade.

beautiful smiling blond girl with sun-kissed hair

Lightening sprays work best for darker shades of blonde hair. Formulas designed for blondes are generally not effective on darker brown hair because they can’t lift enough and may leave red tones in dark hair. However, certain brands can be used on any shade of brown hair without unwanted effects.

Ordinary lightening sprays are peroxide-based and potentially damaging to hair, especially if your hair is already damaged by frequent coloring.  Make sure to avoid peroxide-containing products or use them in moderation.

Fortunately, there are lightening sprays formulated with natural lightening agents and these sprays also may contain nourishing and conditioning ingredients. These conditioning ingredients protect your hair from heat and environmental damage and help keep your locks soft and hydrated. Natural-based hair-lightening sprays also have a more pleasant smell than their peroxide-based counterparts.

What are the Active Ingredients in Hair Lightening Sprays?

Popular brands that use hydrogen peroxide in their formula include Sun In Hair Lightener, John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Controlled Lightening Spray, and Schwarzkopf Blonde Ultimate Lightening Spray. Make sure to check the ingredient list before making your purchase.

Some lightening sprays contain heat protectants to prevent damage to the hair when you use heat to maximize the lightening effect.

magnificent girl with blonde hair and pink sunglasses

Natural-Based Sprays that Can Lighten Your Hair

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Natural lightening sprays gently brighten up blonde hair without using bleaching agents. The most common lightening agents in lightening sprays are citrus, chamomile, and honey.

1. Klorane Sun Lightening Spray is formulated with plant-based ingredients including chamomile and honey. It works on naturally blonde hair, as well as on color-treated, highlighted, and bleached blonde hair. The product is made without bleaching agents and you can apply it either to towel-dried or dry hair.

2. Gnarly Head Biodegradable Beach Blonde Gentle Lightening Spray produces subtle lightening effects using natural lemon juice. The formula is free of harsh chemicals and peroxide. It contains chamomile and plant extracts to nourish and condition hair and make detangling easier. For the best results, you should expose your hair to sunlight after application.

3. Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Blonde Brightening Mist Luminizer (Walmart) uses lemon, chamomile, and honey extracts to enhance blonde tones and highlights in natural blonde and dyed blonde hair. This hair mist protects hair from harmful sun rays, eliminates brassiness, and prevents hair color from fading. 

beautiful smiling blonde posing in the street

Peroxide-Based Lightening Hair Sprays

John Frieda Beach Blonde Sun Streaks Lightening Spray creates subtle, permanent highlights like the sun would in the summer. It gives your hair a natural-looking beachy blonde look. This spray provides the best results on virgin blonde hair but will also work on dyed blonde hair.

Ingredients that work to lighten hair are hydrogen peroxide and natural lemon.

The formula is UV-activated and makes your hair appear like it has been naturally lightened by the sun. It also helps prevent brassy, orange tones in blonde hair.

For best results, apply this product to clean towel-dried hair before going out in the sun. Use it once between hair washings and avoid applying it to regrowth.

Hair Lightening Sprays for Brunettes

Lightening hair sprays are preferably made for blonde or light brunette hair. If used on darker hair, they can leave reddish tones. Make sure that the product is designed for darker hair before making a purchase.

Chamomile Intea Natural Blonde Highlights Hair Lightening Spray is advertised to help blondes and brunettes to achieve a lighter color and blonde highlights.  The formula contains natural chamomile extract.

The product description says that it lightens hair with natural chamomile and “the smallest amounts of Hydrogen Peroxide”. How small is “the smallest” amount of Hydrogen Peroxide? It is impossible to know if it is small enough to be completely safe for anyone’s hair.

smiling brunette girl posing outdoor

Benefits of Using a Lightening Spray

  • A lightening spray for blonde hair helps you make a move towards brighter blonde hair while keeping your blonde hair from turning brassy.
  • This product gives you natural highlights and saves the money you would spend on visiting a salon to get highlights.
  • A lightening hair spray also enhances the highlights you already have.
  • Lightening spray also helps blend in your darker roots between color services, so you can go longer between professional touch-ups. This means that you use fewer chemicals. However, don’t expect this benefit from peroxide-containing lightening sprays, as these can damage your strands and cause hair breakage. 
beautiful smiling blond girl dressed in summer clothes

How to Use a Lightener Spray

Lightening sprays generally work best on damp hair. Spray the product onto your towel-dried hair, focusing on areas you wish to lighten.

For streaks, spray only those sections of the hair that you want to lighten. For all-over lightening, comb through your hair to evenly distribute the product. Don’t wash your hair the same day after you apply the spray to give the product enough time to work.

For a more intense effect, apply heat or spend some time in the sun.

To get desired results, you may need to use this product repeatedly.

To retain the results, repeat the procedure every few weeks.

It is advisable to apply a lightener spray in a well-ventilated area. Make sure not to inhale the mist or use it near your eyes. 

Be aware that lightener sprays can dry out your hair, especially those that contain hydrogen peroxide and drying alcohol. Make sure to use a moisturizing conditioner after each shampoo. Use a deep conditioning masque at least once a week to fight the dryness and prevent hair breakage.

smiling blond girl dressed in hipster clothes

Hair Lightening Gels

The most popular gel that can make your hair lighter is L’Oreal Paris Summer Lights Hair Lightening Gelee. This styling gel is easy to use and will gradually lighten hair with each application. For brighter results, you need to apply heat or spend some time in m the sun.

This gel formula contains hydrogen peroxide and doesn’t work on hair that is darker than light brown. Another downside is that it is not suitable for color-treated or gray hair.

smiling blond girl wearing white shirt

Shampoos that Gradually Lighten Your Hair

Are you seeking some new pep in your step in the form of hair color, but in a subtle manner? Well, today’s post with light up your life with guidance about the merits of lightening shampoos. Think of this article as your hair color’s volume button as we learn how to pump up your color in a cool, clever, chillaxed type of way.

First, let’s summarize what a hair-lightening shampoo is and does. A lightening shampoo is designed to gradually lighten natural, colored, or highlighted blonde hair. This product works best on dark blonde and medium blonde hair, but lighter brunettes can also achieve good results. This type of shampoo will enhance the color you already have and give you subtle lightening effects. However, if you want to lift shades, or achieve immediate results, you need to use bleach. Let’s learn more about this form of color boost!

A lightening shampoo subtly lightens the hair by neutralizing the color pigments as well as decreasing the brassy and yellow tones. For best results, manufacturers often recommend using it in combination with the complementing conditioner and a hair-lightening spray. Prove to everyone why blondes do have more fun!

Pleasant looking blonde woman with long hair

Sunny Days Ahead: Benefits of Hair Lightening Shampoos

The benefits of using lightening shampoos may vary, depending on the color, and condition of your hair. However, you’ll generally have many sunny days ahead with your hair-lightening shampoo’s many perks. Unlike sulfate-containing lightening shampoos that have a drying effect and tend to increase breakage, sulfate-free lightening shampoos are more suitable for very fine or over-processed hair. They could be your hair color’s new BFF for these 6 Heaven Advantages!

  • Booster Shot: Lightening shampoos boost and enhance natural blonde or light brown hair. They also work well for dyed blonde to medium-brown hair.
  • Life Preserver: Keep blonde hair bright and remove yellow, brassy, and orange tones caused due to exposure to chlorine, hard water, and sunlight.
  • Shed Some Light: Make light brown hair slightly lighter.
  • Time to Get Even: Make the new (dark) growth less noticeable.
  • Highlight Helper: Help to extend highlights and keep them fresh between salon visits. They also bring out natural highlights, making the hair look naturally sun-lightened.
  • Color Yoga: Stretch your color appointments by keeping blonde hair color looking bright and fresh longer. They can also stretch your wallet for that same reason!

Clock Talk: How Long does it Take to See Results?

As far as clock talk, a hair-lightening shampoo produces very subtle effects, so you’ll need to continually use the product. The first results may be noticeable after several uses. In sum, consistency is critical to maintaining the achieved results.

This post contains links to Amazon. The publisher may get paid if You purchase something through the links without additional costs to You.

Brand Brilliance: Best Lightening Shampoo Brands

1. Milk Shake Sweet Camomile Shampoo is made with natural ingredients to enhance the color of blonde hair and bring out blond highlights. If you care about ingredients in your hair care products, you should consider Milk Shake products.

The formula uses organic chamomile extract and organic wildflower honey to intensify natural highlights in fair hair. Fruit extracts and organic aloe vera provide conditioning benefits, repair damage, and boost strength and shine.

When used on colored hair this shampoo protects hair color from fading and helps to preserve the brightness of blonde hair and blonde highlights.

The shampoo is suitable for frequent use and it leaves your hair feeling soft and silky.

2. Tio Nacho Natural Lightening Shampoo is formulated with botanical extracts including royal jelly, jojoba, aloe vera, ginseng, rosemary, and wheat. Those ingredients work together to give your hair a lighter appearance. This shampoo also helps to strengthen hair and provides it with volume, shine, and softness. This one will make your color say “gracias!”

3. OGX Sunkissed Blonde Lemon Highlights Shampoo is infused with lemon extract to enhance natural highlights and to give a summertime look to dyed blonde and naturally blonde hair.

This product doesn’t contain ammonia or peroxide and doesn’t need exposure to sunlight to enhance the bleaching effect.

OGX Sunkissed shampoo isn’t meant exclusively for blondes. It helps cultivate some highlights in all hair colors. It’s fun to KISS and tell with this brand!

4. Abbey St. Clare Chamomile Shampoo for Light Hair uses chamomile, and natural oils to intensify highlights, eliminate static, and reduce breakage and split ends. Sun exposure helps maximize the bleaching effect. Natural chamomile and lavender essential oils give this shampoo a pleasant scent and produce calming effects when inhaled. Treat yourself and your color with a spa day!

5. If your hair is in good condition and you don’t mind using sulfate-based shampoos, then you might want to consider John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo. It’s designed to be used on all shades of natural, color-treated, or highlighted blonde hair. It’s a Dear John letter about your color!

This shampoo formula uses a citrus lightening complex and chamomile to gradually brighten blonde hair. It might take a month before you notice any obvious result.

To optimize the brightening effect, the shampoo can be combined with John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Conditioner.

Lightening Shampoos for Dark Hair

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Visibly Brighter Subtle Lightening Shampoo is formulated with honey and marigold flower extract to gently cleanse and gradually infuse your hair with golden tones. This product claims to steadily brighten natural or color-treated brunette hair, bring out the highlights and make the dark roots less noticeable. The downside is that the formula is not free of harsh sulfates.

Like most lightening shampoos, it will not work on very dark hair.

What are Common Ingredients in a Hair Lightening Shampoo?

Lemon juice is a popular and highly effective natural hair highlighter. Lemon has a high content of citric acid which acts as a mild bleaching agent. Lemon juice works with the sun to naturally lighten the hair. It works well on blonde to dirty-blonde hair shades as well as on light brown hair.

Chamomile extract is one of the best natural lightening agents. The natural yellow color of chamomile flowers brings out lighter tones in the hair.

Honey contains an enzyme called glucose oxidase, which acts as a bleaching agent when applied to hair.

Natural lightening shampoos also may contain conditioning ingredients like botanical extracts, vitamins, and natural oils like rosehip and jojoba.

Blonde woman with a piece of orange

Light Lowdown: How to Use Lightening Shampoos

Gentle, natural formulas can be used regularly, the same way you use your regular shampoo. Regular use helps you to achieve the maximum lightening effects.

Drugstore hair-lightening shampoos contain sulfates and harsh chemicals that can dry out your hair. If you’ve purchased such a product, rotate it with your regular shampoo. Make sure to always follow with a good conditioner. Be savvy in your lights, camera, and action hair color care!

If you stop using a lightening shampoo, your hair will return to its previous color shade. How’s that for a light lowdown for color maintenance?

Attractive woman with sun-kissed hair

Blonde Hair Care: Best Products and Treatments for Blondes

Blonde hair can look stunning, but blonde dyed hair requires extra effort to keep it looking its best. If you don’t care for your blonde hair properly, it can become dry and brittle or may turn yellow or brassy.

The bleaching process leaves blonde hair more fragile and delicate than other colorings. That’s why blonde-dyed hair needs extra protection from heat, harsh products, and environmental factors that can cause discoloration and damage. In this post, you can learn some good methods to minimize damage when dying your hair blonde and some useful tips on how to maintain your blonde color fresh and bright.

There is a range of related products you can find, to protect your new blonde hair from further damage and prevent your beautiful color from fading and brassiness.

happy smiling blond girl touches her hair

How to Keep Blonde Hair Healthy

  1. Shampoo Your Hair Less Often: Don’t wash your hair daily because excessive shampooing will remove the protective coating of natural oils and can strip the color pigments. Don’t wash your hair at least two days before bleaching because the bleach will burn your freshly clean scalp. After the coloring process, wait at least two days before shampooing to allow the color to set properly. Wear a shower cap to keep your hair dry, while you are in the shower.
  2. Use Sulfate-Free Shampoos: Switch to sulfate-free shampoos and gently massage the scalp with your fingertips. Follow with a final rinse of cool water, to seal the cuticles and slow down the fading process.
  3. Use Dry Shampoo for Blondes: If your hair starts looking greasy, refresh it using a dry shampoo. Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones is formulated with rice starches to keep blonde hair refreshed between washes while neutralizing brassiness. Additionally, this dry shampoo adds volume and helps curls stay in good shape.
  4. Avoid Heat Damage: Never use flat iron until your hair is completely dry. Allow your hair to air dry if possible. Make sure to apply a heat protectant before using hot tools. Keep your flat iron below 350 degrees and avoid pressing it tightly. Make sure to detangle hair well before flat ironing.
  5. Avoid Excess Sun Exposure: Blonde hair is more sensitive to sun exposure than dark hair because it lacks protective dark pigments. Additionally, the chemicals used in the coloring process raise the cuticle and leave the hair susceptible to UV damage and color fading. When going out in the sun, use a spray with UV protection and reapply it regularly. Cover your head with a scarf or hat to guard the hair against harmful ultraviolet rays.
  6. Use a Conditioner After each Wash: Conditioning rinses are a necessary part of the hair care regimen for blonde dyed hair. Conditioners infuse hair with moisture and close the cuticle, which helps color stay inside the hair.
  7. Do Deep Conditioning: Since colored hair needs lots of moisture and protection, apply a deep conditioning treatment once a week. Deep conditioners moisturize the scalp and hair, restore shine, and keep your color looking fresh and beautiful.
Blonde cute woman with toned hair

Blonde Hair Products and Treatments

1. Purple Shampoos for Blonde Hair

Over time, unwanted warm tones can show up in blonde-dyed hair. It is the right time to include a violet shampoo in your hair-washing regimen. Purple shampoos are designed to brighten blonde hair and neutralize brassy tones. These shampoos work by depositing violet pigment to neutralize yellow tones.  Look for a plant-based blonde shampoo with a dark purple color.

Use purple shampoo once weekly and leave it on your hair for the recommended time.  Using a purple shampoo too often or leaving it on longer than directed can leave purple hues. Meanwhile, use a sulfate-free and/or color-safe shampoo.

If you find purple shampoos to drying to your hair, you don’t have to change your favorite daily shampoo. Instead,  you can use Mixed Feelings Leave-In Blonde Drops.  Just add a few drops of this highly effective purple pigment to your shampoo, conditioner, or any styling product you currently use. This will get the brassy tones out of your hair and keep your blonde cool-toned.

Purple hair masks are less drying than purple shampoos and will reduce brassiness in blonde hair.

charming blonde woman wearing yellow raincoat

2. Chelating Shampoos 

Before you go swimming, soak your hair with a protective leave-in conditioner. Use shampoo for swimmers to prevent build-up and discoloration from chlorine.

If you live in an area with hard water, use a chelating shampoo periodically to remove mineral deposits that can make your hair appear dull and brittle. Consider purchasing a shower filter to prevent hard water minerals from reaching your hair. 

3. Hair Lightening Shampoos

If you want to go a shade lighter without using bleach, a lightening shampoo might work for you. This kind of shampoo progressively lightens your blonde hair by reducing the color pigments. Hair lightening shampoos are free of ammonia and peroxide and use natural ingredients like chamomile, citrus extracts, and honey to make your locks lighter. To intensify the effects, use it in conjunction with the matching conditioner.

pleasant looking blonde woman with sun kissed hair

4. Hair Lightening Sprays

A lightening spray is designed to lighten highlighted, bleached, color-treated, naturally blond, and light-brown hair. This product uses citrus, chamomile, and honey, and works in the conjunction with heat to gradually lighten the hair. Certain formulas include bleaching agents, while others use natural, plant-based ingredients. The effects are noticeable after 3-5 uses.

5. Leave-in Conditioners for Blondes

These products are formulated to help reverse damage from bleaching, cancel out brassy tones, and extend vibrancy. Apply the product to your clean, towel-dried hair. It makes combing easier and leaves your hair silky and shiny.

Related products: John Frieda Blonde Hydration Leave-In Conditioner, Equave by Revlon Professional Detangling Blonde Conditioner, and It’s a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In for Blondes.

6. Hair Glaze/Gloss Treatments

Get hair gloss or hair glaze treatment two weeks after your coloring session. This treatment refreshes the color, tones down brassiness, and adds shine. You can apply an at-home glaze treatment every 2-4 weeks to maintain color vibrancy and shine.

Beautiful smiling young blonde haired woman

7. Hair Oil for Blondes

To restore moisture and shine to your damaged hair, apply Moroccanoil Light Oil to the ends. This oil helps with styling and protects your ends from dryness. This lighter version of Moroccanoil oil is developed to avoid any discoloration that applying hair oils can leave on lighter blonde shades. To avoid frequent washing, you shouldn’t apply the oil close to the scalp.

More related products: Joico Blonde Life Brilliant Glow Brightening Oil and UNITE Hair BLONDA Oil – Argan for Blondes.

8. Toners for Blonde Hair

A hair toner is used to neutralize yellow and orange tones and to create delicate shades on pre-lightened hair. The toners usually need to be mixed with either a 10 or 20-volume developer. Some toners are meant to be mixed with 5 volume developer, which is a gentler option to achieve the desired tone of your blonde hair.

9. Bond Reinforcing Products

To minimize the damaging effects of bleaching, find a salon that carries Olaplex. This product enables colorists to lift your color to a lighter level, without significant hair damage. It repairs the structure of previously damaged hair from the inside and helps reduce breakage after color service.

There are also several Olaplex alternatives available such as Bond Angel Plex Effect, Bond Multiplier Treatment Kit for Bleaching, and Coloring. Consult your stylist on which color additive to include in your color service.

Bond Maintenance System also includes Olaplex Hair Perfector – an at-home maintenance product that helps restore hair’s healthy appearance between salon treatments.

Olaplex has recently released two new products. Bond Maintenance Shampoo and conditioner are supposed to strengthen bonds, tame frizz, and improve the manageability of processed hair.

gorgeous young woman with glazed blonde hair

10. Protein Fillers

The Neutral Protein Filler is a pre-color treatment that normalizes hair porosity after bleaching. This product helps your hair to absorb color more evenly. It repairs previously damaged protein bonds and protects hair against new chemical damage.

11. Keratin-Infused Hair Products

Include keratin-enriched hair products in your hair care regimen. Shampoos, conditioners, or leave-in conditioners that contain hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed silk, hydrolyzed keratin, and amino acids will replenish your hair with missing keratin, making it stronger, fuller, and shinner.  

12. Coloring Blonde Hair

It is highly recommended to consult a well-trained colorist to help you achieve and maintain your desired level of blonde, with minimal damage to your hair. When touching up the color, you should only lighten your roots without overlapping on previously lightened hair.

13. Root Touch-Ups

Around one month after coloring your grown-out roots are a sign that your colored hair needs refreshing. Although hiding your roots is not necessary, you still have some options to easily get rid of the dark roots.

Color touch-up kits are particularly suitable for touching up your roots at home. These permanent color kits come in multiple shades designed to match different colors. The product is easy to use and it takes only ten minutes to apply.

Another way to extend the time between regular coloring sessions is by using temporary root concealers, which will hide your roots until the next shampoo.

14. Regular Trims

Routine trims are necessary to remove split ends. Trimming regularly (every four to six weeks) prevents the ends from splitting and helps maintain healthy-looking hair.

Gorgeous woman with blond hair in casual clothes

Proper Sun Protection for Your Hair

Human hair is very susceptible to damage when exposed to the sun. If your hair is dry, fine, or chemically treated, it will be more sensitive to sun damage than healthy hair. The chance of serious damage is more likely if your hair has been soaked in salt water and dried in the sun.

The pigment known as melanin, located in the hair cortex acts as a natural sunscreen. It protects the hair by filtering out the harmful sun rays. However, long periods of sun exposure can oxidize and degrade melanin granules, leaving your hair without its natural defense. That is why you must protect your sun-sensitive locks.

YouTube Video: PROTECT YOUR HAIR FROM SUN, SALT WATER, AND CHLORINE!

How Does the Sun Damage Your Hair?

Cute girl wearing a hat

The common unwanted effects of prolonged sun exposure on your hair include dryness, weakened structure, and color fading.

Dryness: Harmful sun rays destroy the protective coating of natural oils, making the hair look dull, dry, and porous. Sun damage is particularly noticeable on the outermost layers of the hair, called the cuticles. This layer receives the most damaging sun radiation. Once damaged, cuticles lose their ability to keep moisture inside the hair which results in excessive dryness.

The weakened protein structure: Lifted cuticles lead to increased porosity, split ends, and brittle strands. A damaged cuticle layer can’t protect the inner part of the hair shaft from external damage. The external aggressors, then, could reach the cortex and weaken protein bonds that are responsible for hair strength and elasticity. The outcome is an increased risk of hair breakage.

Color fading: Healthy hair cuticles reflect light and prevent UV rays from penetrating the pigment-containing inner cortex. A damaged cuticle cannot block UV rays from bleaching pigments in the hair cortex. The results are color fading and a lighter appearance of your hair.

Sun exposure reduces the color vibrancy of dyed hair as well as virgin hair. Gray hair is even more susceptible to damage when exposed to sunlight because white strands completely lack melanin in the follicle.

9 Simple Rules to Avoid Sun Damage to your Hair

1. Avoid exposing your hair to intense UV light. The sunlight is the strongest between 11 AM and 3 PM. When you’re going to spend the day outside, shield your hair and scalp from the sun by wearing a sun hat or a scarf. A quality sun hat creates shade to provide UV protection, but it still allows the hair and scalp pores to breathe.

2. When you plan to spend a day in the sun, wear protective styles such as braids to reduce hair exposure to the sun.

a girl with blonde braided hair

3. After each swim, use fresh water to remove the salt or chlorine from your hair.

4. Use sulfate-free color-safe shampoo and conditioner.

5. Use the lowest heat settings when drying and styling your locks to avoid further damage.

6. Apply a deep-conditioning treatment at least once a week to restore moisture levels and keep your hair strong and elastic.

a woman applying a deep conditioner

7. Use natural oils such as coconut, castor, or olive oil to provide gentle protection to your locks during periods in the sun. You can also purchase sun protection spray for hair made from UV protective oils such as AVEDA Sun Care Protective Hair Veil.

8. Avoid coloring your hair shortly before the summer holidays because the coloring process will make your hair more susceptible to sun damage. Also, because of sun exposure, you won’t enjoy your new color for a long time.

charming girl wearing a hat in the park

Sunscreens for Hair

UV-absorbing filters or sunscreens are infused into hair care products to neutralize the harmful effects of the sun’s rays on hair and to protect color pigments from fading.

To shield hair from sun damage, many companies offer complete product lines with sunscreens in their formulation. Their shampoos, rinse-off conditioners, masks, leave-in conditioners, and hairsprays contain UVA/UVB filters to provide a high level of sun protection.

To get full protection, use a wide-toothed comb to distribute the product evenly throughout your hair. You also need to re-apply it regularly throughout the day.

a woman applying sunscreen

Leave-in conditioning products with UV filters offer good sun protection and help retain moisture inside the hair.

Paul Mitchell Color Protect Locking Spray is made to protect your locks and prevent color fading when you are out in the sun.

A woman wearing a hat to protect the hair from the Sun

Scalp Sunscreens

Your scalp is quite sensitive to sun rays. Lack of protection from excessive sun exposure can cause dryness and sunburn. Make sure to apply a sunscreen spray to the sun-exposed areas of your scalp to prevent sunburns. 

Related product: Organic Scalp & Hair Sunscreen Mist by COOLA (SPF 30) is formulated with plant-based antioxidants and sunscreen to protect and nourish your hair and scalp.

After-Sun Hair Care

graceful blonde woman standing on sunny beach

1. After-Sun Shampoos

After-sun shampoos are designed to wash the hair after long sun exposure. These shampoos help to replenish lost moisture and wash out salt and sunscreen residue from your hair.

Some of the most popular brands include Redken Color Extend After Sun Shampoo, Kerastase Soleil Bain Apres Soleil After Sun Shampoo, and Bed Head Tigi Totally Beachin’ After Sun Shampoo.

2. After-Sun Hair Sprays

After Sun sprays are formulated to condition your hair and soothe your scalp after a long day in the sun. These sprays temporarily repair split ends, reduce breakage, and leave your hair soft, shiny, and manageable.

Related product: Sun Bum Revitalizing 3-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner Spray

How to Refresh Hair Color after Summer Holidays?

The best way to refresh your hair color after the summer holidays is to apply a hair gloss/glaze treatment. This treatment will impart shine and restore the tone of your original color until the next regular coloring service.

If you have blonde or gray hair, use a nourishing purple toning mask to get rid of brassy tones and keep your color bright.

A stunning woman using a hat to protect the hair

Should You Choose Ammonia-Free Hair Dyes?

More and more people are coloring their hair these days, which has allowed for the range of colors and types of hair dyes to expand rapidly. Unfortunately, the number of harmful substances in hair dyes is also growing at the same rate.

Ammonia is one example of a harmful chemical widely used in hair dyes. This chemical is a growing danger to stylists, their clients, the environment, and even the ocean. With roughly 60% of women coloring their hair regularly, along with an increasing number of men doing the same, ammonia-based dyes are negatively affecting our entire ecosystem.

Is Ammonia Harmful to Hair and Scalp

When dissolved in water, ammonia forms ammonium hydroxide, which is irritating to the skin. Ammonia in hair dyes is applied to the human scalp. Ammonia can cause skin redness, itching, burns, and discomfort. Once absorbed through the skin, ammonia will eventually enter the bloodstream.

hairdresser dying client's hair in the salon

Ammonia vapors can irritate your eyes, throat, sinuses, and lungs. Ammonia can cause breathing difficulties as well as exacerbate respiratory health problems.

In addition to a strong offensive smell, ammonia is harmful to crops, forests, and marine life.

By choosing ammonia-free hair products, you can rest assured that you are not inadvertently releasing pollutants into the environment.

Why is Ammonia Used in Hair-Dyes?

In hair coloring products, ammonium hydroxide is used to support the lightening action of hydrogen peroxide and to prepare hair to accept color pigments. The alkaline properties of ammonia raise the cuticle and allow peroxide and dye molecules to penetrate the hair shaft.

Ammonia is highly efficient for permanent color changes. In the past, it has been the only option for providing full coverage of gray hair.

How does Ammonia Damage Hair?

Ammonia is used in hair dyes to open the hair’s cuticle, preparing the shaft to accept dye molecules. However, after repeating coloring with ammonia-based dyes, the cuticle layer is disrupted to such a degree that the scales cannot close back completely and hair may become dry, porous, and brittle. Natural moisture will continue to escape due to raised cuticles, while external moisture can easily enter and swell the hair shaft, leading to frizzy and unmanageable hair.

At the same time, the new dye doesn’t last long because the color molecules can escape through the raised cuticle. That is why the color washes out more quickly, and may even turn into a different and undesirable shade. As a result, you will need to apply color more often.

How does Ammonia Affect the Hair over the Long-Term?

The corrosive feature of ammonia destroys an amino acid called tyrosine in the hair shaft. Tyrosine regulates the production of melanin, and it is responsible for holding onto color—both the new and old. When tyrosine is destroyed, the hair’s ability to hold the color is significantly reduced.

Frequent coloring may cause irreparable damage to the hair shaft. The hair cuticle cannot lay flat because the ammonia makes the pH level of the hair more acidic. This causes changes in hair texture and leaves your strands porous and more fragile.

Switching to ammonia-free dyes helps preserve the integrity of your hair, reduces hair susceptibility to lose color, and makes your locks appear smoother and shinier.

Are Ammonia Alternatives Safe?

Depending on the brand, the ingredients used to replace ammonia are:

  • Ethanolamine (also called monoethanolamine)
  • Cocamide MEA
  • Aminomethyl propanol (AMEA)

Ammonia-free dyes are not as natural as the manufacturers want a buyer to believe. Ammonia substitutes are popular because they don’t release a strong smell during the coloring process, but they are also just chemicals that act the same way as ammonia.

Ammonia replacement used in non-ammonia formulas such as ethanolamine can also be damaging to the hair when used at high levels.

Young blonde woman with curly up-do

How to Get Vibrant Hair Color without Using Ammonia-Based Hair Dyes?

  1. If you want to try color without fully committing to regular coloring, use temporary or semi-permanent hair dyes.
  2. If you are going darker, use a demi-permanent color.
  3. To correct/refresh the tone, apply hair gloss or hair glazing treatment.
  4. To combat brassiness, use purple hair shampoos.
  5. To prolong the time between salon visits, use temporary root touch-up products.
  6. Try ammonia-free permanent hair dyes.

Ammonia-Free Permanent Hair Dyes

The following brands don’t use ammonia in their formulation and are advertised to give you a long-lasting color without using harsh chemicals:

Light Mountain Natural Hair Color & Conditioner is an all-natural hair color and conditioning program free of ammonia, peroxide, and other synthetic ingredients. The formula utilizes organic Henna and other organically grown botanicals. The downside is that the application is messy and time-consuming.

Shea Moisture Hair Color System doesn’t contain ammonia and uses natural and certified organic ingredients such as Organic Shea Butter, Flax Seed Oil, and Soy Proteins to minimize chemical damage and improve hair manageability and appearance. This permanent color system provides full gray coverage and can lighten hair a few shades.

Naturtint Permanent Hair Colors contain active plant-based ingredients and use ethanolamine as the alkaline medium to open the cuticle and to create a space for the micro-pigments to penetrate. The formula is claimed to provide gray coverage in one application, giving you vibrant color for up to 5 weeks.

Bigen Permanent Powder Hair Color provides lasting, rich color with excellent gray coverage without ammonia, peroxide, or other damaging chemicals. This deposit-only color contains seaweed and oriental berry extracts and leaves your hair looking smooth and shiny. The powder formula is activated by water and the entire process takes only 20-30 minutes. It works well for covering stubborn gray hair. The downside is that it can cause allergic reactions in some people.

a blonde woman shopping for hair dye

How to Keep Red Hair Color from Fading

Although your red-colored hair can look stunning, red is the second hardest hair color to maintain, next to blue. Before taking the plunge, you need to understand that red is a high-maintenance color that is highly prone to fading. It takes time and effort to keep it looking fresh and vibrant.

If you get your hair dyed at the salon, the color will last longer than when you use home dye kits. Still, it may take only a month for red hair color to become noticeably less intense. Sometimes, the unwanted fading process can start soon after the hair has been dyed, making it seem like investing in the dye job was just a waste of money. Red pigments fade over time regardless of what brand of hair dye you use.

a pensive redhead woman sitting at a table with a notebook in a coffee shop

You may be asking if there is a miracle product that will help you achieve the perfect shade of red and help to keep it vibrant for longer. The answer, fortunately, is YES. This product is a protein filler and it is effective, safe, and inexpensive.

How Protein Fillers Can Help You to Achieve Marvelous Color Results?

Two kinds of protein fillers can greatly benefit individuals who dye their hair red.

1. Neutral Protein Filler by Colorful Products

Neutral Protein Filler helps to even out your hair’s porosity to ensure even color absorption. It repairs protein bonds damaged by over-processing and protects the hair against chemical damage.

The Neutral Protein Filler can be used before coloring to even out hair’s porosity and help the dye go in evenly. It fills in porous strands, making hair stronger and more receptive to dyes. It also strengthens and repairs the cuticles, enabling hair to hold color better and longer. The product should be applied to damp hair and allowed to sit for 20 minutes. The color is then applied without washing out the filler from the hair.

This magic ingredient can be added to a hair color mixture to help seal color within the cortex and get a more uniform shade of red. It helps over-processed hair to take color more evenly and more permanently. The color will blend nicely, while your hair looks fuller, shinier, and much healthier.

Happy redhead girl using laptop in cafe

2. Red Colorful Protein Filler

In addition to all benefits provided by using a Neutral Protein Filler, Red Protein Filler can also be used to refresh the color between coloring sessions. To revive fading hair color and extend the time between coloring, apply the Red Protein Filler to your wet hair. Massage the product into your hair, leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

The Red Protein Filler also can be used as an additive when you apply red color over previously bleached hair. When added to hair dye the Red Colorful Protein Filler ensures a more even and longer-lasting shade of red.  The product reduces bleeding during washing, slows color fading, and makes hair fuller and less prone to frizz.

After you’ve achieved your desired shade of red, there are a few more tips on how to maintain your favorite color fresh and vibrant and minimize fading to ensure its longevity.  

How to Maintain Dyed Red Hair   

How to Wash Dyed Red Hair

After getting your hair dyed, avoid washing it for at least 48 hours to ensure that the cuticles stay closed. Dye molecules diffuse out of the hair when the hair is exposed to water. Water itself can take away the pigment because hair dyes are mostly water-soluble. The absence of water allows the cuticles to stay in place, so they can hold the color longer.

Wash your dyed red hair no more than twice a week. The more you wash your hair, the faster the color washes away. When you take a shower and don’t want to shampoo, be sure to pull the hair up into a bun or wear a shower cap to keep your locks dry.

Avoid using hot water when washing your hair, and make sure to use cool water for the final rinse. Hot water slightly opens the cuticles, allowing the color molecules to slip out. On the contrary, cold water seals the cuticles, keeping the dye molecules locked in.

A smiling redhead woman with cup of coffee talking on smartphone

What Shampoos and Conditioners to Use for Red-Colored Hair

Ordinary shampoos and conditioners often contain harsh cleansing agents which cause hair color to fade prematurely. Only use shampoos and conditioners labeled as “sulfate-free” since these formulas are gentler on your hair and won’t strip the hair’s natural oils or color pigments.

There is a wide range of shampoos and conditioners formulated for color-treated hair, and some of those products are specifically designed for red-colored hair. Best shampoos for red-colored hair contain antioxidants, anti-fading agents, and UV protectors which help keep your red hair vibrant for longer.

Making Red Hair Redder: Color Depositing Shampoos

One of the easiest ways to refresh the color and keep red shades vibrant is to use a color-depositing shampoo. A color-infused shampoo is formulated to deposit temporary color onto the hair shaft with each wash. This adds vibrancy back into your color and prolongs the time between your trips to the salon. You might want to wear gloves to protect your skin and nails from stains.

The popular brands of red color depositing shampoos include John Frieda Red Boosting Shampoo, Joico Color Infuse Red Shampoo, and Celeb Luxury Viral Colorwash.

Red-enhancing conditioners work the same way as color-depositing shampoos, instantly refreshing the vibrancy of red tones every time you condition your hair.

attractive redhaired woman in eyeglasses with newspaper

Tips for Better Color Retention

  1. High heat can also cause red hair color to fade fast. If you must use heat styling tools, make sure to apply a thermal protectant first.
  2. Protect your hair when going out in the sun, because prolonged sun exposure can damage dyed hair and cause the color to fade. Stay out of the midday sun and wear a hat to cover your head. Use a UV protectant spray on your hair if you plan on spending time outside.
  3. When swimming, never forget to put on a swimming cap. The chlorine in pool water strips red hair dye, so don’t even think about entering a pool for the first two weeks after the coloring service.
  4. Get a gloss hair treatment approximately one week after a coloring service. A cellophane treatment adds shine and refreshes permanent color between color appointments.
  5. Add Hydrolysed Silk Protein to your conditioner in concentrations up to 5% to reduce color fading. Also, use hair care and styling products that are enriched with silk proteins.
  6. Consider using a leave-in spray for color-treated hair. This multi-tasking hair treatment helps even out porosity, locks color pigments into the hair, and protects the color from harmful UV rays.
a thoughtful redhead woman sitting at table in cafe

Best Anti-Breakage Hair Products

Excessive heat styling and frequent chemical treatments can reduce hair strength and vitality, making it susceptible to breakage. Although excessive hair breakage can be frustrating, the good news is that the problem can be managed by having the right products in your bathroom cabinet.

The right combination of protein- and moisture-based hair products can help maintain optimal moisture and protein balance in hair fibers, making them healthier, and more resilient to breakage.

One of the most efficient ways to protect your hair from breakage is to select the optimal frequency of hair washing.

Frequent shampooing can remove the protective sebum coating that rests on the hair shaft; this can cause damage to the cuticle layer. A lack of natural oils results in dryness, increased friction, and brittle hair strands. To prevent excessive dryness, individuals with dry, damaged, or curly hair should limit shampooing up to twice a week.

a blonde girl experiencing hair breakage

1. Pre-Shampoo Treatments

These protective treatments prepare your hair for washing to minimize the drying effect of shampoos and repair hair before washing. Pre-wash treatments lock in moisture, help with detangling, and increase tensile strength to dramatically reduce hair breakage.

Related products: Creators of  Living Proof Timeless Pre-Shampoo Treatment claim that their product will reduce breakage by 85% after one use. Other brands of pre-shampoo treatments advertised to boost hair elasticity include Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Pre-Shampoo Treatment, Huile de Leonor Greyl Pre-Shampoo Oil Treatment, and Kerastase Resistance Soin Premier Therapist Pre-Shampoo Treatment.

2. Shampoos for Brittle Hair

Sulfate-based shampoos have great lathering capabilities, and they are very efficient at removing greasy residue from the hair and scalp. However, harsh sulfate detergents in hair shampoos can strip the hair of its natural oils and increase friction between hair fibers, leaving your locks prone to tangling and breakage.

People with dry, damaged, or chemically-processed hair should use shampoos with mild cleansing agents. Mild cleansers are plant-derived, less likely to cause excessive dryness, and are safer for the environment.

Ingredient-focused selections of hair shampoos and conditioners will provide you with better results than shopping for top brands. You might want to look for humectants and other moisturizing ingredients, as well as hydrolyzed proteins.

The latest innovations are bond-building hair shampoos and the inclusion of ceramides and bamboo extract in anti-breakage shampoo formulas.

3. Hair Products with Ceramides

Ceramides are a group of lipids naturally found in human hair. Ceramides act as a binder, keeping hair cuticles together, which results in smooth and shiny hair. Ceramides are also moisture-supporting ingredients that encourage moisture absorption and retention in the hair shaft.

Too frequent shampooing, chemical treatments, and hot styling can deplete supplies of ceramide over time. Lack of ceramides results in rough cuticles, which allow moisture to escape, leaving hair dry, inelastic, and susceptible to breakage.

Ceramides are most beneficial for women with color-treated and/or relaxed hair. Products infused with ceramides can restore damaged cuticles and improve hair elasticity, making the strands less prone to breakage.

Shampoo brands with ceramides: L’Oreal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner and M72 Ceramide Keratin Shampoo & Conditioner.

Pretty girl with strong hair

4. Hydrolyzed Proteins for Breakage Prone Hair

Chemical treatments, excessive heat, and daily grooming can damage the protective cuticle layer, leading to the chemical degradation of hair proteins. Loss of keratin results in reduced strength and elasticity of hair fibers.

Proteins in hair care products are large particles that cannot penetrate the hair shaft and act on the surface layer, forming a moisture-retentive film, increasing hair volume and shine.

Newer lines of protein-rich hair products contain hydrolyzed proteins. Hydrolysis is a chemical process in which the protein compound is broken down into smaller chains of amino acids. When incorporated into hair products, low- molecular-weight amino acids are easily absorbed into the hair, improving its elasticity and luster.

Hydrolyzed keratin has been used for decades to repair damage and give strength and flexibility to hair. To meet increasing customer demand for an alternative to animal-derived proteins, cosmetic chemists developed Phyto-proteins, such as hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed soy, and hydrolyzed corn protein.

Hydrolyzed proteins penetrate the hair shaft and temporarily rebuild damaged spots, reviving the structure of hair strands. Adding hydrolyzed protein to hair products helps increase hair elasticity and reduces the risk of breakage.

5. Hair Products with Bamboo Extract

Bamboo is the richest source of organic silica. Bamboo extract contains 70% silica. Silica is an important component of collagen, and it plays a key role in improving the elasticity of skin and hair. When the level of silica is decreased, hair becomes brittle and more prone to breakage.

Silica-based hair products help strengthen hair fibers and stimulate healthier hair growth. Shampoos enriched with bamboo extract help seal the cuticle, tame frizz, and add a beautiful shine.

Sulfate-free hair-strengthening products that contain bamboo extract include Alterna Bamboo Shine Luminous Shine Shampoo & Conditioner and Boo Bamboo Strengthening Shampoo.

6. Conditioners for Brittle Hair

Regular conditioning after every shampoo is an important part of the hair care routine for those who suffer from hair breakage. Rinse-out conditioners form a thin coating over the hair shaft, protecting the strands from further damage and reducing the risk of breakage.

Trying to untangle wet hair without the use of a conditioner will cause split ends and breakage. Conditioners flatten the cuticle scales, which decreases inter-fiber friction and makes hair feel soft to the touch. The protective coating they leave on the hair helps separate hair strands and makes detangling and combing easier.

7. Deep Conditioners

Deep conditioners are more effective at repairing hair damage because they contain more concentrated ingredients and stay longer on the hair than rinse-out conditioners. They usually remain on the hair for at least 15 minutes before rinsing. Deep conditioners are formulated as thick creams enriched with proteins and other ingredients that promote moisture retention and help rebuild inner hair strength. Adding heat to your intensive conditioning treatments allows for deeper penetration of conditioning agents into the hair shaft.

Protein and moisture work together to keep hair healthy and resilient to breakage. Over-conditioning that is not balanced with protein can cause protein deficiency leading to unmanageable hair that is prone to breakage.

Preference for protein-rich hair products can cause a deficiency of the moisture needed to lubricate the hair, leaving the strands inelastic and brittle.

Related products:

  • Deep conditioner with ceramides: Matrix Biolage Fiber Strong Cream.
  • Deep conditioner with bamboo extract: Tree Naturals Bamboo and Fig & Lotus Flower Deep Conditioner.

8. Hair Straightening Leave-in Conditioners

Leave-in conditioners are used on damp hair to seal in moisture, smooth the cuticles, control the frizz and help with detangling. Repair leave-in conditioners help repair damage and keep hair healthy and strong.

Related product: L’Oreal Professional Expert Serie Sealing Repair Lipidium Double Serum uses Phytol-Keratin and Ceramides to reinforce inter-cellular cement that fills the damaged area of hair and boosts internal strength to minimize breakage.

Girl brushing her recovered hair

What Causes Breakage of Hair and How to Stop Hair Shedding

Hair breakage occurs when the hair strands break along the shaft or snap due to weak points in the hair structure. Damaged hair has lost its protective outer layer and has an increased tendency to break during everyday wear and tear.

Virgin hair can undergo stretching of up to 30% of its initial length and it contracts back to the normal length and will recover very well. However, excessive stretching could be harmful to the hair. Stretching the hair fibers to 70% can cause irreversible damage to the hair shaft. Stretching hair to 80% of the original fiber length will cause breakage.

charming woman with breakage-prone hair

Curly hair lacks natural oils that give elasticity to hair fibers. This type of hair is more prone to breakage than straight hair. The curly strands create friction during brushing and styling which can damage the cuticle, increasing the chances of breakage.

Straight hair is easier to brush since combing friction is low and there is no risk of severe damage when hair is brushed.

damaged cuticle layer
Damaged cuticle layer

What Causes Hair Breakage?

Common hair care habits that can trigger hair breakage are frequent shampooing, excessive heat styling, and chemical hair treatments such as chemical straightening, perms, and permanent hair coloring.

1. Chemical Treatments

Studies show the number of broken hair fibers increases with the frequency of chemical treatments. Chemical processing such as straightening, permanent waving, bleaching, and coloring can compromise the integrity of the cuticle layer, contributing to frizzing, tangling, and split ends.

Chemical straightening and perming involve changes in disulfide bonds within the hair fibers, leaving the strands with decreased tensile strength and increased brittleness. Permanent hair dyes affect the chemical bonds in the hair cortex and disturb the cuticle layer, leaving the strands weak, inelastic, and vulnerable to breakage.

Hair breakage often occurs when chemical treatments and products are over-used or applied incorrectly. When chemicals are left on longer than the recommended length of time or are not properly rinsed out hair strands can become excessively dry and fragile.

2. Heat Styling

Blow drying and flat ironing using extremely high temperatures can cause hair to become brittle and weak. The heat sucks moisture from the strands and affects the integrity of the hair fiber, leaving hair dry and prone to breakage.

3. Tight Hairstyles

Pulling hair into a tight bun, ponytail, or braid regularly can create excessive tension and increase the likelihood of breakage. You should also refrain from using uncovered rubber bands and sharp hair accessories that pinch or pull your hair and cause knotting, increasing the risk of breakage.

4. Vigorous Brushing and Combing

Excessive combing, as well as brushing hair when wet, can increase friction and cause mechanical damage to the cuticle, leading to weakened hair fibers. Another factor that often contributes to hair breakage is the hair’s tendency to get tangled.  Pulling through the tangle creates overstretching and bending that can cause hair fibers to break.

5. Chemicals in Hair Care Products

The frequent use of poor-quality shampoos and styling products that contain alcohol can leave your locks dry and ready to snap. The chemicals from hair care products can build up on the hair over time, making it more susceptible to breakage when brushed.

Other Causes of Hair Breakage

Nutritional deficiency, aging, hormonal imbalances, and certain medical conditions are often contributors to hair breakage.  Environmental factors such as hard water and continual exposure to sunlight can also weaken hair and exacerbate breakage.

Related Article

sensual woman with strong healthy hair

How to Stop Hair Breakage?

Hair doesn’t have a self-repairing capability, so broken hair fibers cannot be restored. However, you can prevent hair breakage and split ends by adjusting your hair care routine. Hair breakage can be significantly reduced by restricting the use of chemicals and heat styling tools and selecting appropriate hair care products.

1. Keep Your Locks Moisturized

Since dry hair breaks easily, it is important to keep your locks well-moisturized. Moisture provides the disulfide bonds in the hair cortex with the flexibility to retract to a normal state after stretching.

Avoid daily shampooing because too frequent washing can remove the protective oil coating from the strands, leaving your hair overly dry and less elastic. Look for a sulfate-free shampoo that will provide gentle cleansing without stripping off natural oils from your hair and scalp.

Apply a good moisturizing conditioner after shampooing to reduce friction and replenish the lost moisture.

Treat your hair with a deep conditioner once a week to help it stay hydrated and smooth down split ends.

A girl applying deep conditioner to treat breakage-prone hair

2. Untangle Gently

To limit physical stress on the hair, do not brush your hair roughly.  Use your fingers and a wide-toothed comb to gently untangle your locks. To minimize the risk of breakage, start from the tips, and then gradually work to the roots.

For best results, use a wide-toothed sandalwood comb, since it doesn’t tend to pull or break the hair while weaving its way through the follicles without getting stuck. Thus, detangling becomes much easier as compared to plastic combs. The wide bristles reduce friction, so getting rid of tangles and knots is more convenient. The perturbing issue of hair loss while combing is taken care of, which means less breakage and damage. If you have a sensitive scalp, a sandalwood comb prevents any kind of bruising or scraping, while ensuring your hair doesn’t dry out, by distributing oil from scalp to hair.

A cute girl brushing her hair prone to breakage

3. Avoid Overstretching

To avoid overstretching the strands, do not tie your hair very tightly. Choose elastics, headbands, and hair clips made of smooth and hair-friendly materials that will not cause knotting and breakage.

4. Reduce the Use of Heat Styling Tools

Give your hair a break from using heated tools. Air dry your hair if you have time, or use a blow-dryer at a lower setting and with continuous motion. If you can’t move away from hot tools, use heat protection products to minimize the damage from heat.

5. Trim your Hair Regularly

Have regular trims to get rid of damaged ends and prevent further breakage. If you do not have your hair trimmed for a long time, splits can travel up the hair shaft making the strand weak and ready to snap.

6. Minimize The Use of Chemicals

Avoid overlapping chemical treatments and keep a recommended gap between two chemical processing. Minimize the use of styling products that contain drying alcohol and other harsh chemicals. Switch to natural hair care products to keep your hair in good condition and more resistant to breakage.

7. Do Hot Oil Treatments

Natural oils like coconut, almond, and extra virgin olive oil are excellent home remedies for hair breakage. Doing a hot oil treatment once a week strengthens the strands from roots to tips and provides your hair with much-needed moisture.

8. Use Hair Straightening Masks

Try a homemade hair mask that nourishes and strengthens damaged hair. Apply a mayonnaise or avocado hair mask if you want to revitalize your strands and prevent further damage and breakage. Alternatively, purchase a keratin-infused mask to temporarily fix damaged areas in your hair and make your strands mo resistant to breakage.

Tanned brunette with strong hair

How to Protect Your Hair from Pool Chlorine

The Effects of Chlorine on Your Hair

Chlorine is a chemical disinfectant used to prevent the growth of pathogenic microorganisms in swimming pools. While keeping swimming pools clean and safe is important, pool chlorine also has a harsh effect on hair. Major negative effects of exposure to chlorine in swimming pools include chemical reactions between chlorine and hair proteins, sebum, and the pigments responsible for hair color.

The chlorine present in pool water causes damage to the hair proteins which build the hair shaft. This weakens the structural integrity of the hair shaft, making hair more vulnerable and prone to breakage and split ends. Chlorine also lifts the hair cuticles, making them rough, porous, and difficult to untangle. Additionally, damage to hair done by chlorine is amplified in combination with exposure to sun rays.

pretty brunette woman by the swimming pool

Chlorine removes a protective layer of the natural oils that coat the hair shaft, leaving the hair more susceptible to damage. Swimming in chlorinated pools without proper protection can leave hair dry, brittle, and lifeless.

Chlorine acts as a bleaching agent that can remove melanin pigments and lighten your hair color. Chlorine raises the cuticle, allowing minerals to get into the hair and discolor it. People with gray hair may develop brassy tones after swimming in pools regularly. Blonde hair and blonde highlights may even turn greenish after exposure to chlorine.

Swimming in a pool regularly leaves a chemical smell that can linger on your skin and hair -even after taking a shower.

Color-treated, permed, or relaxed hair is particularly vulnerable and needs extra care to prevent and treat damage from pool chlorine.

Fortunately, there are some effective ways to protect hair before swimming and minimize the negative effect of chlorine after swimming sessions. With appropriate protective measures and care, you will not end up with excessively dry, orange, or green hair.

How to Prevent Chlorine Damage to Your Hair

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How to Protect Hair Before Entering the Pool

  1. Use a swimming cap
woman in swimming cap getting out of the swimming pool

Use a quality silicone swim cap that fits snugly around your head. A swimming cap will keep your hair dry and protect it from the damaging effects of chlorine.

2. Soak hair in fresh water

To prevent chlorine from reaching your hair, take a short shower before entering the pool. This way you will saturate your hair with fresh water and reduce its ability to absorb pool water.

3. Coat your hair with oil

Apply a generous amount of olive oil or coconut oil before you get in the pool. The oil will coat your strands and create a protective barrier that prevents chlorine damage. You can also soak your hair with an oil-based pre-shampoo treatment such as Huile de Leonor Greyl Pre-Shampoo Oil Treatment. 

4. Apply pre-swim conditioner

Before stepping into the pool, saturate your hair with a pre-swim conditioner. This conditioner will coat hair strands and repel chlorine from entering the cuticle.

A special pre-swim conditioner such as AquaGuard Pre-Swim Hair Defense should be applied to damp hair before swimming to protect color-treated hair and keep it safe from the damaging effects of pool chlorine.

pretty woman with long dark hair sitting by the swimming pool

How to Treat Your Hair After Swimming in the Pool

  1. Washing: Wash your hair immediately after a swim. Apply a generous amount of shampoo, massage, and rinse thoroughly. Choose a shampoo specifically designed to remove chlorine and mineral deposits from your hair. Apply conditioner.
  2. Drying: Do not vigorously rub your hair with a towel, because wet hair tends to be very fragile, especially after exposure to chlorine. Instead, gently blot and squeeze your hair, or just wrap it in a soft towel. Let your hair air-dry, if possible, or use a blow dryer at a lower setting.
  3. Conditioning: Apply Ion Swimmer’s Leave-in Conditioner to replace lost moisture and make combing easier. Use a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush to avoid stretching wet hair.
  4. Shampooing: Avoid shampoos that contain sulfates since sulfate-based products can be harsh on your hair. A gentle shampoo formula with moisturizing and nourishing ingredients will keep your hair in good condition.

There are shampoos and conditioners designed for swimmers, which should help reduce the damage done by chlorine and other pool chemicals. These products claim to be effective in preventing chemical buildup, retaining the color, and protecting hair from drying out.

Benefits of using chlorine shampoos:

  • Chlorine-removing shampoos help get rid of the chemicals that accumulate in the hair after swimming in pool water. Using chlorine shampoo twice a week should be enough to minimize the harmful effects of pool chlorine.
  • Chlorine shampoos prevent silver and blond hair from turning yellow and keep the green tint at bay.
  • Swimmers’ shampoos also help eliminate the chemical smell of chlorine-exposed hair. 
  • Chlorine shampoos keep hair from drying out by sealing in moisture and leaving your tresses smooth and shiny. After eliminating chemical buildup, your hair is less tangled and easier to comb.
pretty woman with dark hair sitting by the pool

Chlorine Removal Shampoos

1. Zealios Sulfate-Free Swim & Sport Shampooir?t=softerhair 20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01DQ8GQR8

This swimmer’s shampoo is formulated to gently cleanse your hair while protecting it from damage caused by chlorine, sun, wind, and salt. Natural ingredients including aloe, panthenol, and sunflower oil help to moisturize, detangle, and revive the luster of your locks.

2. Malibu C Swimmer’s Wellness Shampoo

This sulfate-free, chlorine removal shampoo is designed to gently cleanse swimmers’ hair and prevent chlorine build-up. It is formulated with antioxidants, vitamins, and botanicals to replenish moisture and boost shine. It helps preserve hair color, eliminates brassy tones, and keeps your hair from turning green.

Malibu C Swimmers Wellness Hair Remedy

This post-swim hair remedy is specifically formulated for hair exposed to pool and ocean water. It eliminates mineral build-up and prevents the appearance of swimmers’ green hair. This hair remedy also helps to restore softness, manageability, and color vibrancy.

The product is 100% vegan and free from gluten, parabens, and sulfates. It is safe for color-treated hair.

Use at least once a week or as often as desired. Apply after you’ve rinsed out the shampoo. Mix the powder with a little water until it forms a rich gel. You can also mix it by rubbing it between your hands. Apply and distribute evenly throughout the hair, and leave it on for up to 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and follow with a conditioner.

pretty woman with long brown hair sitting by the pool

How to Reverse the Effects of Hard Water on Your Hair

How many of you struggle daily to reverse hair damage caused by using hard water? Water hardness refers to the percentage of mineral salts that water contains. Hard water has a high concentration of dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium, but may also include copper, iron, and chlorine. Soft water, such as clean rainwater or distilled water, is typically comprised of very little or no calcium and magnesium ions.

If you travel across the world, you’ll typically find that the effectiveness of your hair care products varies from one area to another. In turn, your hair will behave differently from place to place. When you reside in a hard water area, the minerals in the water interfere with the cleansing agents in your shampoo, making it less effective. It takes longer to create a lather, so you need to use larger quantities of shampoo, even if it contains sulfates. When used with soft water, shampoos or body washes tend to lather more quickly and clean more effectively compared to hard water.

young woman taking shower in the bathroom with hard water

The high mineral content in hard water is difficult to rinse out completely, which can cause a mineral buildup in your hair. The same chemical compounds in water that cause whitish scum on your bathtubs and shower curtains, also leave deposits on the surface of your hair.  You can even add more and more build-up with every hair wash, without even realizing it. Let’s learn more about how to reverse this curse of hard water!

Many people aren’t aware that the water they’re using for washing and bathing has an impact on their skin and hair. Around 85% of American people live in areas with hard water. Hard water is considered healthy to drink, but it can have adverse effects on your skin and hair and can cause scale deposits on your household appliances. If you live in a hard-water region, special precautions should be taken to protect your hair from the damaging effects of water hardness.

Hard Rockers: The Effects of Hard Water on Hair

If you live in a hard water zone you’ve probably noticed the negative effects of mineral deposits and metal traces on your hair. A high concentration of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and copper in your water can damage your hair and cause it to look dull, limp, and unmanageable. Some effects like dullness or brassy orange tints are easily noticeable, while other damaging effects may slowly accumulate over time before becoming obvious. Let’s examine some nasty effects of these hard rockers in the water world:

1. Dirty Dancing: Greasy and dirty-looking hair: While the movie is iconic, dirty hair isn’t! Minerals dissolved in water form deposits on your hair, weighing it down. Your hair may feel sticky and dirty near the scalp, no matter how often you wash it. At the same time, your ends may become overly dry and prone to splitting and breaking.

2. Chameleon Curses: Changes in Hair Color: Mineral deposits and the high content of iron in hard water can cause color fading or even stifle the results of salon coloring services. In other words, it can give you a chameleon curse on your color! Iron in water specifically acts as an oxidizer, causing brassy tones in light blonde hair and coppery red highlights in dark hair. The more you wash your hair, it’ll continue to turn orange. Blond highlights may look orange even with a water softener system installed.

3. Plain Jane: Dry and dull hair: Mineral scales can cause your hair to look greasy and frankly quite Plain Jane! As a result, you’ll then need to wash your hair more frequently and use more shampoo. Overwashing leaves your hair dry, straw-like, and brittle while your scalp may feel itchy and flaky. The mineral build-up also causes a loss of shine, leaving your hair looking dull and lifeless.

4. Wild Child: Unmanageable Hair: Frequent washing and use of sulfate-containing shampoos will disrupt the cuticle layer, increasing the rough texture of your hair, making it prone to fizziness, and full of split ends. Rough hair gets easily tangled and may be difficult to style. Damaged hair doesn’t hold curl well and your perm will fade faster. Tame that wild child water!

5. Disappearing Act: Thinning hair: Mineral build-up hinders hair’s overall elasticity, making it more prone to breakage. Hard water buildup on the scalp may clog the roots and interfere with the growth of new hair. Calcium deposits on the scalp may cause a dry and itchy scalp with powdery flakes. No one wants this disappearing act, right?

Mineral Mania: How to Prevent Mineral Build-up from Developing

To curb mineral mania from tackling your hair, here are a trip simple tips:

1. Soften your water: Installing a water softening system throughout your entire home is a good way to address hard water. The minerals and metal cations are eliminated before they get to the tap, resulting in softer hair and skin.

2. Get a shower filter: Replace your old showerhead with one that’ll purify your shower water. A water-softening showerhead is an easy and affordable fix if you don’t want to fully invest in a home water-softening system. The filter should be replaced every six months.

3. Use a chelating shampoo: Use a chelating shampoo: This type of hair shampoo is made to remove dirt, product residue, and mineral build-up in your hair, leaving it shiny and clean, and fresh. Clarifying shampoos shouldn’t be used frequently to avoid the excessive dryness they may cause.

woman taking shower in the bathroom with hard water

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911: Chelating Shampoos

There are specialized shampoos designed to help get rid of mineral deposits accumulated in your hair. These shampoos may be more expensive than regular shampoos, but they’re efficient in combating the adverse effects of water hardness. These will serve as your hair’s 911! 

1. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox Shampooir?t=softerhair 20&l=am2&o=1&a=B07MYCXKGG

This chelating shampoo gently removes the buildup from hair products, environmental pollution, and mineral buildup due to hard water. The triple detox shampoo deeply cleanses your hair without causing scalp dryness.

Activated charcoal absorbs excess oil from the scalp and while mild surfactant helps remove pollution from the hair. An anionic polymer helps remove product buildup, while chelating agents help remove hard water mineral buildup. A soothing complex with witch hazel helps nourish and moisturize the scalp. Patented Healthy Hair Molecule repels dirt and oil, keeping hair clean for longer.

The product is free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and phthalates. It is safe for color and chemically treated hair

If you have hard water in your bathroom, leave the shampoo on for 1-2 minutes before rinsing. Your hair will feel smooth and silky again.

2. Ion Hard Water Shampoo

Ion Hard Water Shampoo is developed to prevent mineral build-up in your hair and reverse the undesired effects caused by hard water like discoloration and dullness. In addition to deep cleansing, it adds moisture to dry strands, leaving your hair soft, shiny, and easy to detangle.  

This gentle chelating shampoo removes mineral deposits without exposing your hair to abrasive cleansers. It is free of harsh sulfates and is suitable for all types of hair.

3. California Dreaming: Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Collection

Being free of sulfates and other harsh chemicals, this chelating shampoo is less likely to cause severe dryness than sulfate-containing clarifying shampoos. It leaves your hair nourished, soft, and easy to style.

It doesn’t interfere with chemical services including coloring, highlights, perms, and hair straightening treatments.

The Malibu shampoo helps eliminate brassy tones and brighten blonde hair. It is safe to use on colored hair.

Malibu Hard Water Wellness Conditioner infuses hair with moisture and adds silkiness for easy detangling. Get that “California Dreaming” sensation!

a young woman in the shower

Life Vest: Demineralizing Hair Treatments

Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Hair Remedyir?t=softerhair 20&l=am2&o=1&a=B07CX4JCCY

This product does a great job of removing hard water residue and keeping the brassiness under control. After just two treatments, you’ll usually see a noticeable reduction in the brassiness if you have blonde or gray hair. It has more strength to remove mineral deposits than chelating shampoos.

Demineralizing treatment prevents and eliminates hard water buildup, restoring shine to your locks. Apply once a week to get rid of mineral deposits and improve the look and feel of your hair. You can do this treatment at home instead of paying for the salon demineralizing treatment. Think of these treatments like life vests for your tresses!

Apply after rinsing out your shampoo and leave the product sitting on your hair for 5-10 minutes. Massage to ensure even coating. Apply heat for better results. Rinse thoroughly and continue with your conditioning routine.

Malibu C In-Salon Treatment Instructions – YouTube video by JCarlos Pimentel

The manufacturer offers a complete treatment kit, which includes shampoo, conditioner, and hard water weekly de-mineralizer.

Malibu C Blondes Weekly Brightener

This weekly brightener for blonde hair is formulated to eliminate mineral deposits from hard water that make hair unmanageable and cause brassy and yellow tones in blonde hair. Malibu Blondes Wellness Remedy prevents hair breakage from bleaching, restores softness, and eliminates brassiness to keep your locks bright and shiny. It works for natural blonde, bleached, and highlighted hair

This product should be applied to wet, freshly shampooed hair. Add some water to dissolve Blondes crystals in your palm, then rub your hands together and massage the product into your hair. Leave it in for 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Shampoo and condition as normal.

Just for DIY fanatics: Home Remedies to Reduce Damaging Effects of Water Hardness

Vinegar rinse: Apple cider vinegar is a natural clarifier and works well to remove buildup from hair products and minerals in your hair. Rinsing with diluted vinegar helps smooth your hair’s cuticles for increased softness and natural shine. It also prevents hair color from fading.

Lemon rinse: Diluted lemon juice works similarly to vinegar for removing residual minerals from hair and reducing dullness. Lemon rinse helps prevent oily hair and relieves scalp issues like flaking and dandruff.

Captured rainwater: To prevent damage from hard water, use captured rainwater to wash your hair. Rainwater collected from clean surfaces is naturally soft and free of salts and minerals.

Distilled Water: If you’re visiting a hard water area, you can wash your hair with distilled water or at least use it for the final rinse after shampooing.

woman with shiny hair after using chelating shampoo

6 Easy Ways to Hide Your Gray Roots

From Gray to Yay

Hair grows approximately 1.27 cm a month, causing the appearance of a visible line between the new growth and the rest of your colored hair. Your grown roots start to show 1-3 weeks after a coloring service, depending on how fast your hair grows.

If you’ve opted for coloring your gray hair, root touch-ups are needed anywhere between 3-5 weeks. Touch-up appointments can be costly and time-consuming. You also don’t want to damage your hair by dying it too often.

Touch-Up to Lighten Up: Hair color touch-up kits are easy to use at home and keep your hair looking its best in-between color treatments. Because you only apply the product to the roots, it takes a fraction of the time you need to dye your entire head of hair. However, these products also contain the same harsh chemicals that can be found in a full head color.

woman's head with parted gray hair

Ways to temporarily cover grays: Fortunately, there are some fast and commitment-free ways to cover unwanted regrowth without using ammonia and peroxide. Temporary root concealers provide a safe and effortless way to hide your regrowth. You can use them to cover your roots for a special occasion or to buy you a few extra weeks between touch-up appointments.

There are several types of temporary root touch-up products. Each product comes in an array of shades to blend with your current color. These products come ready to use, which is a nice convenience. Root concealers are particularly helpful for covering gray roots.

Are you ready to move from gray to yay and let your hair take center stage?

the effect of using a gray roots concealer

Undercover Haircare: Best Root Concealers for Gray Hair

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1. Power Powders: Root Touch-up Powders

Hair color powder touch-ups deliver temporary coverage and keep the unwanted gray at bay between hair appointments. The pigments in the powder adhere to your hair and stay there until shampooed out. You need to apply the powder to dry hair by pressing a small brush into the roots. They work perfectly for covering up bigger patches of gray hair. Hair color powders are also suitable for masking areas with thinning hair. Are you ready to go undercover?

Brand Blitz:

WOW NOW: COLOR WOW Root Cover-Up: This product uses mineral powder to provide very good coverage for gray roots between touch-ups. It allows for precise application and doesn’t leave a stiff or waxy feeling like when using mascaras and crayons. The formula is waterproof, so you can swim with the product in your hair. Calling all mermaids and merman! It can also be used over the areas where your scalp is showing to create the illusion of denser hair.

Dream with Premium: Premium Root Touch Up by PROTÉGÉ comes with a two-sided brush that allows for precise application. Your hair should be clean and dry before the application. The product blends well and lasts until you shampoo it out. This mineral-based powder doesn’t make hair sticky and gives a natural shine to your roots. The color is waterproof, so it won’t run off when you sweat. Zumba, anyone?

2. Spray Away Gray: Root Touch-up Sprays

Root concealer sprays are probably the quickest way to camouflage gray roots and delay your next salon visit. Root touch-up sprays provide better coverage than other types of root concealers. They’re easy to apply and will cover a larger area at a time. You just need to spray the color over the gray areas you’re trying to hide. The spray dries in seconds and the color lasts until you wash your hair. They can also be used to hide thinning areas to visually increase the density of your hair. Let’s pray away that gray!

The downside is that some of these products can rub off on your fingertips if you touch your hair, but any residue will likely come off with soap and water.

Brand Bonanzas:

Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch Up Spray

This transfer-proof touch-up spray is formulated to cover grays until shampooed out. It is scent-free and doesn’t run when you are exercising. The nozzle applicator enables precise application onto the gray areas, providing full coverage exactly where it’s needed. It may leave a sticky feeling in the hair but at the same time, it creates the illusion of having more hair.

Root Touch-Up Spray by STYLE EDIT

This touch-up spray comes in 5 shades: black, dark brown, medium brown, light brown, and auburn/red. The spray is easy to apply right at your roots. The liquid pigments dry quickly and don’t spread once it is dry on your hair. The product is sweat-proof and rain-proof but washes out easily with one shampoo.

3. Fairy Godmother: Hair Color Touch-up Wands

Feel like you’ve inherited a real fairy godmother with these touch-up wands! This is another home option for covering grays between color treatments. A touch-up hair color wand comes in a tube with a mascara-like wand. It works best if you need instant temporary coverage for small areas of gray hair. The wand helps to precisely apply a tinted semi-liquid content to areas with gray hair. You can either use the hair dryer or allow the color to dry naturally. The color washes out with the next shampooing, so you should reapply it after each wash.

The color in the tube can be enriched with argan oil or other hair straightening agents to nourish your hair while coloring it. Be fairytale fabulous!

Brand Fans: Gray Root Concealer by Mineral Fusion and Hair Color Wand by Grey-free.

4. Get Zen from the Pens: Root Touch-up Pens

Root touch-up color pens deliver a liquid hair dye in a tube, with a sponge or brush applicator tip. The product should be applied to dry hair. A color pen targets scattered grays, covering them until the next shampoo and enabling you to prolong the time between color touch-ups. This type of root concealer is suitable for smaller areas of gray hair. A gray coverage pen can also be used to create highlights. Grab some Zen with these touch-up pens!

Brands: Magic Root Precision Pen by L’Oréal has recently entered the market. It comes in three shades: medium brown, dark brown, and black.

5. Conceal and Heal: Root Concealer Touch-up Sticks

A root touch-up stick is like a thick crayon or lipstick and usually comes in a plastic tube. To get better results, certain brands need to be moistened before sweeping across gray hairs. Using a touch-up stick makes it easy to cover gray hairs along your hairline. The stick glides over hair smoothly and covers grays until the next shampoo. Conceal those grays and heal your self-esteem today!

Brand Bingo: Root Cover-Up Stick by STYLE EDIT is formulated without harsh ingredients and comes in convenient packaging that fits easily in your make-up case. It will not leave a sticky feeling or rub on your pillowcase.

6. Mark and Park Grays: Touch-Up Hair Color Markers

You have so many choices to mark and park your grays away. This portable and easy-to-apply root touch-up product dispenses temporary color that bonds to the hair and covers gray roots until shampooed out. The application is mess-free. Once you push down the applicator, color flows evenly and bonds to the strands, providing precise coverage. You can brush your hair after application, and you can also apply styling products over it. Hair color markers efficiently cover individual grays.

Brand: TouchBack Instant Root Touch Up (available at Walmart). This marker color applicator comes in eight different colors.

a woman's hair after hiding gray roots

How to Properly Untangle Your Hair

Tangled hair can be frustrating, especially if you have naturally wavy or curly hair. Long, dry, and fine hair can also get tangled easily. High-porosity hair has a rough surface, so you are more likely to have matted hair if your hair is overly porous due to regular coloring and other chemical treatments. Dry porous strands rub against each other and become intertwined, forming tangles in your hair.

Simply put, detangling is the process of working tangles or knots out of your hair. Untangling matted hair can be a painful and time-consuming task. However, you must resist the urge to use too much pressure or rush through the process as this can lead to breakage, split ends, and damaged hair. When done properly, untangling makes styling easier, reduces the possibility of breakage, and helps to retain hair’s length.

hair types

The ideal frequency of hair detangling varies on hair type and texture. A good practice is to untangle your hair on washing days to get rid of shed hair caught within other hairs and also release tangles.

What’s the Best Way to Detangle Your Hair?

First, let me say that there is a good way to detangle your hair and a bad way to detangle your hair. What makes the difference is how much damage or breakage you cause as a result of doing it. If you’re being rough with your hair, and you’re ripping the brush through your hair, then then you’re causing a lot of damage to your hair, especially the ends. This will cause your hair to break off and will make your hair even more prone to tangling.

Finger combing or finger detangling is, by far, the best method since it causes the least breakage and makes it nearly impossible to be rough with your hair. Its biggest downside is it takes the most time to do, but if you’re willing to put in the time, I promise you it’ll be worth it.

A dark-skinned girl combing her matted hair

Here’s how to finger-comb your hair:

Start with wet hair with some conditioner in it. Take out a small section of hair and work from the ends, slowly trying to run your fingers through the length of your hair. When they snag, stop and try to pull apart the individual strands that have combined to form the knot. Try to loosen the hair around the knot and unravel it gently. To avoid putting too much stress on your scalp, hold a section of the hair with one hand while finger-combing your hair with the other hand. Once that section is detangled, twist, braid or pin it away.

a woman checking her tangled hair

Another really helpful way to work tangles out of your hair is to grab right under the tangle with one hand, making sure that you hold your hair taut. Then, use your other hand to split the hair above the tangle into two sections and use your fingers to push the sections in opposite directions. As you feel the tangle start to loosen, move the hand that was gripping the hair further away from the tangle, and hold your hair taut. Use your other hand to keep pushing the sections above the tangle apart.

Detangling Hair Care Products

Make sure to use the best detangling tools and products to manage knots without pulling or breaking off your hair.

Detangling Shampoo and Conditioner

Harsh, sulfate-based shampoos can cause dryness and increase porosity, resulting in tangle-prone hair. So, avoid sulfate-containing shampoo and use a mild, moisturizing shampoo to increase moisture retention and keep your hair feeling soft and silky.

Gently massage the scalp with the pads of your fingers and let the lather run down your hair. Try not to scrub your hair while washing it to prevent post-shower knots.

After rinsing out the shampoo, saturate your hair with conditioner and leave it on for a few minutes. The conditioner will decrease friction between hair strands and make your hair more slippery and easier to comb. Use a conditioner that has lots of slip for easier detangling and to provide silkiness and manageability. Consider products that are specifically designed to untangle knotted hair.

Detangling Leave-in Conditioners

Leave-in detanglers are formulated to moisturize and smooth your strands, unravel the knots, and prevent breakage.

When you apply a leave-in conditioner to towel-dried hair, comb through it again, to ensure that all the knots are out. If you meet resistance, gently work the tangle out. On days that you don’t wash your hair, apply a leave-in detangler before styling to give your hair more manageability. Select a product that will not coat your strands with chemicals or leave your hair feeling greasy. For your convenience choose a detangler that can be used on both wet and dry hair. 

Quality leave-in detanglers you should consider include Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-in Conditioner/Detangler, ENJOY Conditioning Spray, ORIBE Priming Lotion Leave-In Conditioning Detangler, Revlon Uniq One All in One Hair Treatment, and Cantu Care for Kids Conditioning Detangler.

Detangling Tools

Even though finger detangling is the preferred method, understandably, you may still want to use combs and brushes to detangle.

2. Wide-tooth combs. Fine-tooth combs, such as rat-tail combs should never be used for detangling. Opt for wide-tooth combs that are a lot gentler on wavy, curly, and coiled hair types. A sandalwood comb is another great tool to make the detangling process easier. It smells pleasant with a hint of sandalwood, so rest assured; it is 100% natural without any synthetic ingredients that could lead to underlying harm. The comb smoothly glides through the hair and tackles tangles, knots, and messes efficiently, reducing hair breakage.

2. Detangling brushes. These are brushes specially designed for women with curly hair to make detangling easier, faster, less damaging, and a lot less painful. Everybody and their mother has heard of the Tangle Teezer, EZ Detangling Brush, or Felicia Leatherwood Brush, and there’s a good reason for that: these brushes do work!

dark-skinned giirl doing finger detangling

Tangle Teezer The Original Detangling Brush is ideal for hair that gets knotted easily. It is suitable for all hair types and can be used either on wet or dry hair. It is conveniently sized to fit comfortably in your hand. Two-tiered bendable teeth allow the brush to glide through your hair and make it knot-free with minimal damage. The longer bristles gently remove tangles and knots while shorter bristles smooth the hair cuticle to provide extra shine.

How to Prevent Tangled Hair

  1. Try pre-shampoo treatments. If your hair is prone to knots and tangles, consider including a pre-poo treatment in your hair care regimen. An oil-based pre-shampoo treatment will create slip that helps reduce friction, minimize tangles, and lessen hair breakage.
  2. Use conditioner regularly. Use conditioner after every shampoo to smooth the cuticle layer of your hair. Properly conditioned hair is silky and pliable and is less likely to get knotted.
  3. Do deep conditioning. Deep condition your hair at least once a week to help restore natural moisture and oils and keep your hair smooth and easy to style.
  4. Consider changing your sleeping habits. Sleeping with your hair down causes it to easily get tangled, especially if you have long hair. To prevent hair strands from knotting while you sleep, loosely braid your hair or tie it up in a ponytail before you go to bed. Also, opt for a silk or satin pillowcase to lessen friction between your hair and the pillow to minimize knots and tangles.
  5. Protect your hair from windy weather. Cover your hair with a satin scarf or a hat on windy days to reduce exposure to wind and prevent your tresses from getting messed up. Braids are a good option during windy weather. You can let your hair down when you arrive at your destination.
  6. Trim your hair regularly. The roughness of dry and split ends contributes to knotty hair. Keep your strands healthy by trimming off split ends every 2-3 months.
  7. Use only quality hair accessories. Wear your hair up using only safe, non-damaging hair accessories. Avoid using uncovered elastic bands, and hair accessories with sharp edges, as they can cause damage, making your hair more prone to matting and knots.
a dark-skinned girl sleeping on a silk pillowcase