How to choose the right hair spa treatment?

During our daily routine, our hair is often subjected to unfavourable environmental conditions and chemicals. Over exposure to the sun or humid weather, chlorinated water and unnecessary exposure to heated styling appliances cause excessive damage to the hair. This means, you need timely hair treatments for damage control and to help restore the lost nutrients. Here are hair spa treatments you could opt for each of your hair problems: 

Dry and frizzy hair - Power, protein dose hair spa

If you’ve had enough of dry and unmanageable frizzy hair, this type of hair spa treatment is ideal. It helps in healthy hair growth and helps regain its lost lustre. The number of sessions for this treatment depend on how damaged and dry your hair are. 

Keratin treatment

This treatment is often associated with straightening or rebonding. However it is meant to tame down unruly curls and soften them. Your hair is shampooed and blow-dried, after which the solution is applied with a brush and combed through the hair, and left for 20 minutes. Hair is then blow-dried once more and flat ironed. Says celebrity hairstylist Vikas Marwah says, ‘This hair treatment leaves the hair with a gloss effect and straightens it up to 50%. You will see your hair soft and smooth within one session, lasting you for at least 3-4 months. Also, you should use a sulfate free shampoo, so this treatment lasts you longer.’ Know how effective it is here. 

Moroccan Oil Treatment

This hair treatment is a favourite of many. Coming from argan oil, it is non-greasy and comes to the rescue for dry and damaged hair. You could also pick up a bottle of Moroccan oil and massage your hair and scalp at home. 

Hair Fall - Ozone, high frequency hair spa treatment 

This hair treatment helps eradicate dry skin cells from the scalp and increases the blood circulation. Hence, this helps in strengthening the hair follicles and  increases hair growth. This is a multi-functional hair treatment as it also curbs excessive dandruff. Vikas says, ‘If you are suffering from a severe hair fall problem, it is best to stick to a mild shampoo and keep away from chemical based ones. Or you could mix some water with your shampoo for a lighter consistency.’ 

Dandruff - Refining  hair spa

Having an itchy and flaky scalp is a very common hair problem and a regular hair spa treatment could definitely give you some relief from it. Vikas says, ‘This spa includes fusing in  an ‘m-fule’ pill to clear off the dandruff completely. The sessions, again depend on how dry and how severe your dandruff problem is.’ It helps your hair rejuvenate and relieves the scalp of the dryness and irritation caused.

The worst hair and skincare mistakes you may be making

When it comes to looking after your hair and skin, you know exactly what to do, but do you know what not to do? Here are some of the hair and skincare mistakes you may inadvertently be making.

You’ve bought the expensive make up, got a fancy hair cut and are all set to dazzle the world with your sleek look. But are there some things you may be doing wrong? Find out if you’re making these skin and hair care mistakes.

The worst hair and skincare mistakes you may be making

Sleeping with make up on – After a long night of partying, it’s so tempting to just take off your shoes and hit the bed. But sleeping with heavy make up on is one of the worst things you can do to your skin. Not only are you clogging your pores, which can lead to acne; you’re also subjecting your skin to the free radicals from the environment that your make up clings on to. This can result in eeks! premature ageing and who needs that?

Washing your face with scalding hot water – Hold back on the super hot water for your face as that can damage your blood vessel. Instead, wash your face with lukewarm water and you’ll be fine.

Too much or too little exfoliation – Exfoliation is an important part of skincare as it removes the dead cells from your skin. However, be careful not to overdo it, or conversely, not exfoliate at all. Ideally, you should exfoliate your face once or twice a week (never on two successive days) and if you have dry or sensitive skin, try and stick to just once a week or once in 10 days.

Leaving oil in your hair all day – Ladies! Read carefully because this is important. When it comes to oiling hair, it’s the massage that’s really important. Do not leave oil in your hair all day as it will just attract dirt and clog your pores, leading to hair fall. Massage your scalp well, leave the oil in for an hour and then wash it off.

Not moisturising for fear of acne – There is a myth amongst those prone to acne that applying a moisturiser will aggravate the acne. This is untrue and can actually lead to excessive oil production from the skin, which may cause another acne breakout. Pick an oil-free moisturiser and ensure your skin is well-hydrated at all times.

Not getting enough sleep – This one’s a rookie mistake! The best care for your skin is a nice long restful sleep. So don’t be up watching movies all night if you have college or work the next day. Make sure you get your beauty sleep and keep your skin looking young and fresh.

Smoking – That’s right, guys! In addition to being bad for your lungs, heart and general health, smoking is one of the fastest ways you can age your skin. Smoking can cause bags under your eyes, darkening of lips and even increases your chances of getting psoriasis. Sigh! Still need a reason to quit?

Summer Beating Up Your Hair? Follow These Expert Tips

I just got back from a week at the beach to restore my mind and body: endless dips in the salty ocean, laps in the pool, snorkeling for hours on end. Ahhhh. But my blissful state was upended when I went to see my hair stylist. “So, let me see the damage,” she said. My carefully highlighted hair had lost its lustre - the blonde was brassy, the ends fried.

Note to stylist: I did hear you last time, when you warned me about chlorine after I spent a mere 30 minutes in the pool at that Orlando resort. Understandably, it was highly chlorinated to deal with dozens of children swimming around.

This time, my stylist cried out, “Oh my God! What happened?” I feebly explained I’d been down the waterslide just once or twice. I guess my hair got damp when I rocketed into the water at the bottom of the slide. Who knew that even a tiny bit of chlorine could wreak havoc?

Protect your hair from the elements with a great hat.

Kyle White

Lead hair colorist at Oscar Blandi, who counts Mariah Carey and Julianna Margulies among his clients

Hair advice: White says sun exposure is the equivalent of bleach and fades color: “You need to use a sunblock every time you wash, even in winter if your hair is going to be in direct sunlight.”

Salt water and chlorine will not only fry your hair, but it will turn your blonde locks into orange straw. White advises using an oil with SPF, like Phytoplage, that will fill the cuticle of your hair so it won’t absorb chlorinated water. Rinse your hair with fresh water when you get out, then reapply the oil and put back on your hat.

Rinse hair with fresh water after hitting the pool.

If you get chlorine on your hair, an easy at-home solution is to use an apple-cider vinegar rinse that will remove chlorine deposits, take out highlight-dulling product build-up, remove dead skin cells, and unclog hair follicles.

Just as your black or bright colored clothes fade in the hot clothes dryer, heat styling fades your hair color. So if you are using heat styling tools, be sure to use a thermal protector like “Its a 10,” which is also a leave-in treatment with protein and vitamins.

After sun exposure, frequent shampooing is the second biggest fader of hair color — so cut back and use a dry shampoo (Oscar Blandi has one called Pronto). “Your scalp’s natural oils are Mother Nature’s deep conditioner,” he says.

Oscar Blandi

Hair advice: Get a trim before you go on vacation. “Playing on the beach, in the chlorine water — the ends can become dry and brittle,” he says, especially if you are going out and using hot, damaging tools like hair dryers, straighteners, or curling irons.

Alonso Salguero

Hair advice: Products can make all the difference. A deep-conditioning treatment like Kerastase Elixir Ultime cream, and another product, Aqua-seal by Kerastase covers the hair cuticle and keeps moisture in.

The simplest and easiest advice is saturating hair with water before leaping into chlorinated or salt water because hair can only absorb so much water - says Salguero - and getting it wet prior to swimming keeps some of the chemicals out.

You can also apply a glaze like the Christine Hair Glaze from Van Thomas Concepts. This protective layer helps minimize the damage and gives your hair an extra bit of defense against the elements.