Recover chemically treated hair with six simple steps –

If a few years ago the straight hair fever took millions of women to salons, now it’s the turn of this legion to go in search of treatment. Check out some tips that will help you recover the vitality of your hair.

1. Choose the right shampoo

Shampoo and conditioner for damaged hair do not always meet the needs of your hair type. “I often notice that some clients’ hair ends up heavy, without balance and with oily roots. Despite having chemistry, they do not damage the hair so much and, therefore, they could bet on a shampoo that is only moisturizing, based on vitamins and essential oils”, says Cris Dios, hairdresser and cosmetologist at the Salon Laces and Hair, in São Paulo, a one of the first hair spas in the country.

2. Toggle is worth it

If your case is really serious – rough, opaque, rigid hair that breaks just by looking at it – cosmetics rich in keratin and amino acids are fundamental, as they will strengthen the innermost structure of the hair fiber. The secret is to use them alternately with neutral shampoos or shampoos for oily hair. They contain less conditioning agents and therefore lessen residue build-up.

3. Diluted is more effective

That’s what Renata Souza, hairdresser at Dios, in São Paulo, a salon specializing in treating hair, believes. “Diluting the shampoo in a little water before applying it to the head prevents the cosmetic from accumulating in just one area, mainly on the top of the head, and does not clean the hair effectively”, she says. Take a disposable coffee cup to the shower and mix right away (do not dilute the whole bottle) the amount of shampoo you use with the same proportion of water.

4. Preserve the conditioner root

When it’s time to apply the conditioner, the good old rule of applying it only to the lengths and ends is golden. “This care is fundamental to not leave the scalp greasy and to avoid the appearance of dandruff, a problem that, in the long term, weakens the thread”, says Sandro Cassolari, hairdresser from São Paulo. Rinse very well afterwards: this is the washing trick of most top-of-the-line professionals and prevents the hair from becoming heavy and dull.

5. Finish only with what is necessary

If you are a fan of finishers, do not overdo the dose. “A large part of these cosmetics are silicone-based and leave residues on the scalp that are difficult to dissolve and, after a while, cause dryness and even hair loss”, warns Inaê Cavalcanti Marcondes Machado, a dermatologist from São Paulo. A pea-sized amount of pomade is enough to add texture to your locks. From the cream without rinsing, do not apply more than the proportion of two coins of 1 real. If you can’t live without an anti-frizz, thermo-activated spray or a point repairer, use an anti-residue shampoo every 15 days, which removes the remains of pollution and cosmetics and prepares the fiber to receive other products.

6. Enrich the mask

The trend in salon treatments is to add a booster to the hair mask. It is an ingredient, usually an oil, which enhances the cosmetic’s action, boosting the result. And you can do the same at home. Heat a teaspoon of argan treatment oil in the microwave for 10 seconds, mix it with the amount you are going to use in the mask and apply it to your hair. Do this ritual once a week if your hair is asking for help or every 15 days if the root is very oily.