Hair styling and care is essential in any great anti-aging beauty routine, and there are many ways we could capture that youthful shine, volume and vibrance at any age. However, with the wrong cut, style, color, etc., there are also several ways we could inadvertently add years to our look when it comes to our tresses, experts say. We checked in with professional hair stylists to learn more about 2 major mistakes many people make when it comes to our locks and anti-aging beauty. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites, and Lauren Udoh, professional hair stylist and Hair Creative Director of WigReports.
Tip #1— Leave Coloring & Cutting To The Professionals
While it may be tempting to experiment with a new color or cut, Rivera explains that this might end up requiring a salon fix-up (so it's much more of a time-saver to head there in the first place). "My number one rule is to never take on something that a professional should be doing when it comes to your hair, especially processes that involve chemicals," she explains. There is a science and chemistry involved in services such as coloring, highlighting and perming, she says, and professionals are "well trained to understand the proper methods for application."
Incorrect application can lead to damaging your hair, she adds, and this can result in "long-term irreversible damage in extreme cases." Likewise, professionals attend school and often apprentice to learn "proper cutting techniques that ensure a great look," she notes, "so I suggest staying away from the urge to cut your own hair or someone else’s if you’re not properly trained."
Tip #2— Be Careful With Hot Tools
When it comes to straighteners, dryers, curling irons, crimpers, etc., not using a heat protectant will lead to damage and this can instantly make someone look older, Rivera says. "There are so many styling tools on the market nowadays and it’s important that you have good ones if you want to have great looking hair," she suggests. "A good hot tool will have temperature controls, auto shut offs, and will be durable as well as easy to operate. I recommend tools that utilize infrared technology because the technology works to lock the moisture into the hair strands rather than drying the hair out," she says.
Regarding styling with these types of tools, Udoh says to be careful of over-styling, especially if you have thinning hair. "Women with thinning hair often make the mistake of over-styling their hair to give it more volume and body," she says. "This can actually make the hair look stringy and lifeless, and can accentuate any wrinkles or lines in the face." This can also be exacerbated by using the wrong tool for your hair type, Udoh notes. "Using the wrong styling products can also make thinning hair look worse. Heavy gels and mousse can weigh down the hair and make it look greasy while using too much heat can damage the hair and make it look brittle," she says, "It’s important to find lightweight products that will help add volume and body to the hair without weighing it down."
Along with having the right styling tools, Rivera agrees with Udoh in that it’s very important to keep the tool at a lower heat to maintain great looking hair, and this is especially true for fine hair which damages easily. "While typically hot tools may be set a bit higher for coarser hair, it’s equally important to realize that all hair can be susceptible to temperatures which are too hot, and this goes for coarse hair as well," she says. Rivera emphasizes that everyone should "always consult with your stylist to ensure your settings are correct for your hair type."
Tip #3— Cleanse & Care For Your Locks Correctly
Cleansing the hair properly is another mistake that Rivera "often sees people make" when their goal is to look younger or not add years to their overall look. "It’s easy to get in a rush, do a quick lather, and rinse and run," she acknowledges, however, "proper cleansing is a key ingredient to healthy hair." This means making sure the "scalp is clean, typically accomplished by gently scrubbing it well, and free of build-up," she says. "Remember," she advises, "washing the hair properly means cleaning the scalp well."
To accomplish this, Rivera deems it imperative to use professional products rather than over-the-counter shampoos and conditioners that can be "harsh on the hair and scalp as well as leave it dry." For those with color-treated hair, improper cleansing can "cause the color to fade, leaving the hair in poor condition for the stylist." She recommends using products that are "packed with nutrients, B-Vitamins, biotin, and collagen, all of which are critical for healthy hair."
