10 secrets to having long, beautiful hair

Having long, shiny and hydrated hair can be simpler than you think. Check out the tips of the experts and get it right in hair care

It frames the face and is one of the main focuses of female vanity. But getting (and maintaining) long, healthy hair is sometimes a big challenge. In some cases, the wrong care can even compromise the health of the hair.

Metabolic changes, uncontrolled sebaceous glands and blood circulation problems affect hair growth. For those who have seborrheic dermatitis (the dreaded dandruff), psoriasis or other changes in the scalp skin, medical advice is essential so that the treatment does not interfere with dryness and the quality of the hair, explains Bruna Duque Estrada, dermatologist and specialist in diseases of the hair.

But there are some everyday habits that also interfere with healthy hair growth - and changing them is up to you.

If you smoke, usually sleep with wet hair or have neglected to eat, it will be more difficult to join the Rapunzel group.

Escape the bad habits and see what are the 10 secrets to achieve the hair of dreams with daily care.

1. Cut your hair

It seems contradictory, but it is not. “If you want your hair to grow, you should trim the ends regularly,” explains hairdresser Gerlane de Lima. The cut is a stimulus for growth because it promotes a renewal of the strands and removes the split ends, which make the hair grow more slowly, he adds.

2. Take care of the scalp

Maintaining the health of the scalp also contributes to beauty and hair growth. Forget about it and the result will be dandruff, flaking, excess oil and even damage to hair nutrition.

The scalp skin should be the focus of attention mainly for people with thinning hair, as it is more exposed to solar radiation and its damage, advises dermatologist Bruna Duque Estrada.

Another guideline is to massage the scalp skin while washing to stimulate circulation in the area.

3. Hydration

Dryness is one of the main villains of long hair because the oils naturally produced on the scalp cannot reach the ends. "Hydration is important to keep any hair beautiful and healthy, and in the case of long hair it is indispensable", says Gerlane.

But beware: masks and conditioners must be applied from the length down - never at the root! Make sure that the rinse was done well to remove all residues. Another tip is to invest in more powerful hydrations done at the beauty salon, at least every two months, guides the hairdresser.

4. Use tip repairer

Formulas based on gel or silicone act on the points with the most severe damage, reconstructing the split ends. The tip repairer is a great ally in the goal of achieving smoother and frizz-free hair.

5. Don't abuse the high temperatures

Dryers and flat iron steal water and protein from the wires, says Gerlane de Lima. Dry, the hair breaks more easily. Therefore, put the dryer aside and, when it is impossible to avoid it, use a thermal protector.

6. Brush and untangle the right way

Excessive friction caused by the comb or brush can weaken the strands, resulting in frizz, lack of shine and split ends. To eliminate this type of damage, brushes with natural bristles or wooden combs are the best options.

Don't be in a hurry to comb your hair. Detangling the wires in any way also causes damage. The best time to do this is during the bath or after applying a leave-in, as the strands are more flexible and offer less resistance.

7. Wet? No way!

When the wires are wet they are more flexible and therefore break easily. So never (never) sleep with damp hair! This bad habit even affects hair health and can contribute to the proliferation of fungi and bacteria on the scalp.

Also avoid holding it still damp - let alone soaked. The ideal is to let the thread breathe and always wash in the early hours of the day.

8. Wash properly

As relaxing as it may seem, do not wash your hair with very hot water even every day. The cold water helps to close the cuticles and to avoid that aspect of hair that is peeled and ruffled.

Using anti-residue shampoo once a week helps to balance the Ph of the hair and to eliminate dirt accumulated during the week, suggests Bruna.

9. Eat well

Those who eat poorly run the risk of having weak and brittle hair. If you want your hair to grow faster, try to eat foods rich in amino acids (present in meat), silicon (oats) and zinc (found in cereals).

Foods rich in vitamin B7, biotin, also favor the beauty and health of locks.

10. No stress

Yes, stress interferes with hair growth. It alters the functioning of the whole body and ends up impacting the cycle of hair follicles - which can lead to severe cases of hair loss.

So relax, sleep better, practice physical activity. Anyway, don't let this villain affect your hair. Following these tips it is possible to have long, beautiful and healthy hair.