Stress-free tresses!

The desire for healthy and glossy hair is a never ending pursuit. Every girl out there wants enviable tresses. But, how many are willing to go the extra mile? Or rather, take the efforts to ensure your hair gets the nourishment and maintenance it deserves? Regular use of chemicals in our hair can damage them — sometimes beyond repair, in the long run. But, does that mean one must abstain from using styling tools? Definitely not! Keep a few hair care pointers in your mind — no matter where you are headed.

1. Ideally, the gap between two chemical hair treatments must be six months apart. Which means, if you intend to colour your hair, steer clear of perming it or straightening it for at least the aforementioned time.

2. Irrespective of how great your hair looks and feels, weekly deep conditioning is vital during winter. If you are unsure of which one to go, choose protein treatments – you can never go wrong with them!

3. Fifteen days post a smoothening treatment, try co-washing — by simply using a conditioner as a shampoo. And, rinse it away. Washing your hair thrice a week is good enough, unless you have greasy scalp.

4. Of the natural oils. Restrict the routine to twice a week, to ensure the hair colour does not get washed away faster.

5. Can’t do without blow drying your hair? Ensure you hold the dryer (on putting it at cool setting) at least 15 centimeters away from the tresses. This works wonders on reducing the effect of heating tools.

6. Pampering your hair to a hot oil massage is a great idea. But overdoing it or a poorly done application can mean two things: oily scalp and those dreaded flakes! To avoid the same, choose to massage with a Tea tree oil. The oil is said to keep fungal infections and dandruff at bay. Try this as a spot on remedy to keep your tresses in the pink of its condition.

The writer is a Bengaluru-based make-up and hair artiste and grooming expert.