5 Tips to Achieving Long, Healthy Hair

We are all about finding silver linings right now to being at home for weeks on end, and one of those bursts of positivity are about giving our hair the chance to just "be." That being said, there is no better time to focus on hair health and allowing it to grow out.

Jessica Scott Santo, owner of Jessica Scott Hair (@jessicascotthair) is known for her natural-looking balayage on beautiful reflective hair. The perfect canvas for that balayage? Long, luscious hair!

Here, Santo shares 5 tips that will help you and your clients alike grow out your hair, most of which can be done while at home. 

Go Sulfate-Free.  Use a good shampoo and conditioner that is sulfate free, like Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner. Color safe is not the same as sulfate free, if unsure, look on the back of the shampoo bottle at the second ingredient after “Aqua,” if it says, “Sodium Laurel Sulfate” DO NOT USE! That is the stripping agent that will remove color and the good oils from hair. Color is an investment that needs to be protected!

Replenish.   Always start out with a good leave in conditioner, like R+Co Pinstripe Intense Detangling Spray, it is like a daily vitamin for hair that will minimize damage from the environment, water, heat and dryness. Styling aids also help protect and replenish – choose according to desired results: smoothing cream to reduce frizz, volume spray for body, etc.).

Reduce Washing. Do not wash hair every day, every time hair is washed oil glands reproduce to replenish the loss of oil, so hair is being stripped of moisture while excess oil weighs it down. Wash hair every other day with a good dry shampoo instead to prevent hair from drying out and breaking, and to slow oil production. After two weeks there will be a noticeable difference in the health of hair.

Limit Heat.  If blow drying is a must, wait until hair is air dried about 90% and then fluff it up with the dryer for fullness.  Never use the “hot” heat setting, always use medium or cool. Hot heat damages hair and makes it brittle and dry which contributes to breakage and lack of shine.

Regular Cuts. NEVER go more than 10-12 weeks without a haircut/trim! Once split ends appear, there is no way to repair them other than cutting them off before they travel up the hair shaft and break OFF!

 

For more long hair inspiration, check out @jessicascotthair.