The key to it all is precise, careful, and meticulous grooming from head to toe, but when it’s a race against time in the mornings, how does one maintain an attractive mane? Here are a few tips to help you get around this hair-raising issue.When in doubt – wrap it up! Grab your favorite head scarf, durag, or hat and go! This is the simplest way to deal with a bad hair day or just not having the time to do your hair. However, your hair should be left untied for at least four hours a day. This eases the pressure on your scalp and allows good blood circulation. Not enough exposure to oxygen and sunlight can cause hair to recede along the hairline. So guys, that durag that you like to wear so often, almost with every outfit, can actually do more damage than good. Ever wondered why your braids stop just above the nape of your neck? Well this is due partly because the braids are too tight and the durag is causing your hair to break. In order to get to the “root” of the problem, here are a few do’s and don’ts to get through your college “hairs” – I mean years! Always wash your brush and comb when you shampoo your hair. Avoid lending your brushes and combs to others. If you’ve never had a dandruff problem before, I bet you do now. If you run out of shampoo, refrain from using your body wash or hand soap as a substitute (I’ve seen this done before).
Follow a balanced diet, rich in minerals, proteins and vitamins, the essentials for healthy hair. This might be hard to do considering that a good percentage of you eat at Marina. If that’s your only option, you can’t go wrong with the salad bar. It is also important to drink a lot of water and keep your caffeine content down to a minimum. That includes tea, coffee, colas, and those very addictive cappuccinos from Knights End that I myself can’t get enough of. During rainy days and cloudy weather (prominent this time of year), your hair becomes a victim. The cold air and wind result in dry, brittle or frizzy hair. Apply a leave-in-conditioner during these fall and winter months to avoid static electricity and allow even-distribution of your hair’s natural oils. If your hair tends to be excessively dry, oil your scalp once every week. For my “blond-bombshells”, Beware of using shine serums these months, they contain silicone which can worsen the frizz. Wash your hair less often during these months and let it absorb atmospheric moisture. Dirty hair is actually good for the roots. It builds strength and promotes growth. Too much washing weakens the hair and can cause thinning and breakage. Twice a month (once every two weeks) is sufficient. Take these tips into consideration and you might not end up with less hair than you started with.