10 secrets to having long and beautiful hair

It frames the face and is one of the main focuses of female vanity. But conquering (and maintaining) long, healthy hair is sometimes quite a challenge. In some cases, the wrong care can even compromise the health of the wires.

Metabolic changes, uncontrolled sebaceous glands and blood circulation problems affect hair growth. For those who have seborrheic dermatitis (the dreaded dandruff), psoriasis or other changes in the skin of the scalp, medical advice is essential so that the treatment does not interfere with the dryness and quality of the hair, explains Bruna Duque Estrada, dermatologist and specialist in diseases. of hair.

But there are some everyday habits that also interfere with healthy hair growth – and changing them is up to you.

If you smoke, sleep with wet hair, or neglect your diet, it will be harder to join Rapunzel’s gang.

Escape from bad habits and see what are the 10 secrets to conquer the hair of your dreams with everyday care.

1. Cut your hair

It sounds contradictory, but it’s not. “If you want your hair to grow, you should trim the ends regularly,” explains hairstylist Gerlane de Lima. The cut is a stimulus for growth because it promotes a renewal of the wires and removes the split ends, which make the hair grow more slowly, he adds.

2. Take care of the scalp

Keeping the scalp healthy also contributes to hair growth and beauty. Forget about it and the result will be dandruff, flaking, excess oiliness and even damage to hair nutrition.

Scalp skin should be the focus of attention, especially for people with thinning hair, as it is more exposed to solar radiation and its damage, advises dermatologist Bruna Duque Estrada.

Another guideline is to massage the skin of the scalp during shampooing to stimulate circulation in the area.

3. Hydration

Dryness is one of the main villains of long hair because the oils naturally produced in the scalp cannot reach the ends. “Hydration is important to keep any hair beautiful and healthy, and in the case of long hair it is essential”, says Gerlane.

But be careful: masks and conditioners should be applied from the length down – never to the roots! Make sure the rinse is done well to remove all residue. Another tip is to invest in more powerful hydrations made at the beauty salon, at least every two months, guides the hairdresser.

4. Use tip fixer

Gel or silicone based formulas act on the most severe damage points, rebuilding split ends. The tip repairer is a great ally in the objective of achieving softer and frizz-free hair.

5. Do not abuse high temperatures

Dryers and flat irons steal water and protein from the hair, says Gerlane de Lima. Dry, the hair breaks more easily. Therefore, leave the dryer aside and, when it is impossible to avoid it, use a thermal protector.

6. Brush and detangle the right way

Excessive friction caused by the comb or brush can weaken the strands, resulting in frizz, lack of shine and split ends. To eliminate this type of damage, brushes with natural bristles or wooden combs are the best options.

Don’t be in a hurry when combing your hair. Untangling the wires in any way also causes damage. The best time to do this is while showering or after applying a leave-in, as the strands are more flexible and offer less resistance.

7. Wet? No way!

When the wires are wet they become more flexible and therefore break easily. So never (never) sleep with damp hair! This bad habit even affects hair health and can contribute to the proliferation of fungi and bacteria on the scalp.

Also avoid holding it while it is still wet – much less soggy. The ideal is to let the thread breathe and wash it always in the early hours of the day.

8. Wash properly

As relaxing as it may seem, don’t wash your hair with very hot water not every day. Cold water helps to close the cuticles and prevent that flaky, frizzy hair look.

Using anti-residue shampoo once a week helps to balance the hair’s Ph and eliminate dirt accumulated during the week, suggests Bruna.

9. Eat well

Those who eat poorly run the risk of having weak and brittle hair. If you want your hair to grow faster, try to eat foods rich in amino acids (found in meat), silicon (oats) and zinc (found in cereals).

Foods rich in vitamin B7, biotin, also favor the beauty and health of locks.

10. No stress

Yes, stress messes with hair growth. It alters the functioning of the whole body and ends up impacting the cycle of hair follicles – which can lead to serious cases of hair loss.

So relax, sleep better, practice physical activity. Anyway, don’t let this villain affect your hair. Following these tips it is possible to have long, beautiful and healthy hair.