How old is your hair? – GOOD SHAPE

Trend comes in, trend goes out – a bob cut like Sandy’s, Mohawk like Guilhermina Guinle’s, shoulder-length like Paola Oliveira’s… – and the Brazilian really likes long hair.

A survey by the cosmetics brand Redken, carried out in 2009, proves what we see on the streets: almost 50% of Brazilian women have long hair.

But what is our greatest seduction asset is also a great threat: long hair is old hair and that has little to do with chronological age. “It is a fact that a 40-year-old woman begins to have more porous, less dense and thinner hair due to hormonal fluctuations. But those with long hair also face the same problems”, says Maria Fernanda Gavazzoni, a dermatologist from Rio de Janeiro.

Do the math: if your hair grows 1 centimeter per month, the ends that reach your bra (35 centimeters, on average) add up to about 3 years of life suffering the action of the sun, wind, bathing, brushing, elastic, swimming, the pillow…

Add to that the damage caused by blow-drying, straightening, flat ironing, coloring and you can predict the result. “Externally, the hair fiber loses its natural protective fat, opening its scales and leaving the hair dry, rough and dull. Small fractures appear that gradually remove the keratin and expose the cortex, the inner part of the hair, weakening it and leaving the hair thinner”, completes Maria Fernanda.

The painting has a solution – and it doesn’t go through a radical cut! Dealing with the effect of time on the threads is the promise of a new batch of products. With the anti-aging appeal on the label, shampoo, conditioner, mask and leave-in rescue strength, shine and softness of those who don’t give up to parade a long hair.

Find out what’s new below and adopt new habits so that not only your skin but also your hair looks like an 18-year-old.

6 steps to long, strong and shiny hair

1. A deal is a deal

If you’re a stickler for long hair, compromise: it’s going to need extra care. Every 15 days, apply a nourishing mask at home – there’s no shortage of good cosmetics for that! “And, every two months, invest in a treatment at the salon, such as cauterization, keratin replacement or hair plastic”, says Samuel Jabes, hairstylist at Vimax, in São Paulo. All these procedures have the same objective: to return hydration and the structure of the hair fiber that has been weakened with the action of time. The result? More strength, softness and shine.

2. No scrubbing

If it is your most prized possession, wash it as gently as you would that pure silk dress. How to make? Spread the shampoo in the palms of your hands, then apply it to your scalp, massaging the entire area with your fingertips. Instead of curling the length on top of the head and rubbing it (which can further open the fiber scales), bring the lather that has formed from root to tip. “It is already enough to leave the hair clean”, says Renata Souza, hair specialist, from the Laces and Hair salon, in São Paulo.

3. Unwind the knot

Those who untangle their hair in the bath deserve a positive point. But for you to earn maximum marks, it is worth changing the wide-toothed comb for a square racket-type brush. “It guarantees 100% loose strands, doesn’t hurt the scalp and has flexible teeth that don’t break the hair”, says Samuel. In time: spread the conditioner from neck height downwards before untying the knots.

4. Wet, no!

Precious information: when the wires are wet, they become more flexible and therefore break easily. So don’t go to bed until they dry (naturally or with the help of the dryer). Also, avoid securing them when they are still damp – soaked, no way – with uncoated rubber bands (ah, that money one!) or tight buckles. A loose bun, which creates a Gisele Bündchen look, is free.

5. Protected from heat

It’s not enough to be long. The hair has to be straight too. At the very least, no frizz, no? Dryer, brush and flat iron come into play for you to parade the look of your dreams. It’s ok as long as you resort to a product with thermal protection before using the devices. We’re talking about creams, sprays and silicones that cover the wires and prevent them from literally frying. You already know the effect: dryness, split ends, fading…

6. Adjustment that does not appear

Even if you follow a careful ritual with your long hair, at one time or another you will have to face the scissors. No, we are not talking about a radical change. “I have several clients who are terrified of having their lengths removed and only show up at the salon once a year. With that periodicity, I will have to cut much more than if I did a control every three months”, says Samuel. Follow the math: if the thread grows 1 centimeter per month, in 3 months, it is 3 centimeters bigger, right? To remove the ends, just cut 1.5 cm. You still stay in profit!

anti aging arsenal

With already known actives to combat skin aging, these products will circumvent the effect of time on the hair: porosity, breakage, split ends and lack of shine.

1. Shampoo Rejuvathérapie Biolage, by Matrix. BRL 29.50*
two. Kérastase Age Premium Rejuvenating Mask. BRL 117*
3. Advance Techniques Anti-Aging Repair Elixir, by Avon. BRL 15*
4. L’Oréal Professionnel Age Desinforce Shampoo. BRL 45*
5. Age Restore Mask Lifetex, by Wella. BRL 58.44*
6. Time Restore Bonacure Night Restorative Spray by Schwarzkopf. BRL 77*

*Prices researched in March 2011