Long hair can be both a blessing and a curse. It's a sign of well-functioning and healthy follicles, and it offers many more options for styling than shorter hairstyles might provide. However, for a lot of people, long hair is also a nightmare to manage. Not only does it take longer to comb and style, but it can also fall victim to problems such as split ends.
However, there are solutions to these problems. Combing and brushing is the basic solution, but more advanced efforts – such as using serums and products and only eating certain types of food – can also work. This article will share some of the best solutions for those who are looking to protect their luscious locks, and explain what to look for when shopping for long hair-friendly products.
The first question mark that you're likely to tackle if you have long hair is how often to brush and comb it. Usually, it's essential to brush and comb it when you feel that it's necessary: tangled and straggly hair is never a good look, and it's also not good for your hair's health in the long term. Brushing your hair is also good because it helps spread the oils produced by your long hair, and ensures that they reach as many areas of your scalp as possible. However, the jury is out on whether or not combing it more regularly than required for basic appearance and health needs is wise.
While there's no hard and fast rule, three times a day is suggested by some hair experts as being enough. That way, you'll be able to solve any tangles that have emerged over the course of the day. If you have long and curly hair, however, then you may need to reduce your combing to occasions when you're about to wash your hair due to the discomfort or even pain that overbrushing can cause.
Take a stroll down the haircare aisle in your local supermarket or pharmacy, and it's probable that all but the most experienced hairdressers will find themselves baffled by the sheer array of products on offer. There's a hair health solution for every problem or desire, and if you're not an expert in hair maintenance, then you probably feel confused.
Air dry your hair 90 per cent before blow drying. Pixabay
If you have long hair, then it's important to work to look at this range critically and find the items you need. Serums are a wise choice: they are designed to bounce light off hair, which means that there's less chance of your hair falling victim to dampness and humidity, and also means that longer hair will appear shiny and less tangled-up. Viabrance is a good choice. A serum from the Viabrance system can provide your hair with fortification, vitamins and minerals – and it can be ordered online. Gone are the days, then, of spending your time struggling to find the items you need in the store.
They say that "You are what you eat", and believe it or not, the foods you eat are important for hair health. There are some foods that are particularly useful to eat if you have long hair, or hair that is less manageable due to its volume. If you have natural long hair, then you'll want to retain that both for your own appearance and for your overall hair health – and for this reason, eating foods that stimulate the hair follicles to grow is a must-do.
Protein-rich foods are a good idea here, because hair cells need protein to grow – so eggs, some nuts and meat are wise choices. Foods that are rich in vitamin E are a good move too, as they help your blood to be pumped around your body more effectively and hence the hair follicles receive more power. Avocados are a good choice here, while cell growth can also be stimulated by foods that are rich in vitamin A.
Healthy hair is a must-have – and for people with long hair who are worried about split ends, straggly hair and much more besides, it's even more important to ensure that you have the tools you need to hand for improving hair health. Eating the right foods is one way to do it, while using serums and getting the right balance of brushing is another. Whatever solution you go for, positive long hair health is available.