The Nine Laws of Hair Care

Whether you have long, luxuriant locks or a short, sleek 'do, a healthy head of hair always looks good.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) offers advice on do's and don'ts when it comes to taking care of your tresses.

Get Rid of Itchy Scalp
While an itchy, scaly scalp usually doesn't cause hair loss, scratching can weaken and permanently damage hair over time. The AAD recommends that you see a dermatologist if you have a persistent condition.

Don't Be Afraid to Cut Your Hair
Long hair is more likely to be cosmetically damaged than short hair. People who have extensive hair damage should consider a shorter hair style to improve the overall appearance.

Grow Old Gracefully
As you age, your hair growth slows, and if your hair is chemically processed or thin, it's predisposed to damage. The AAD recommends that you use milder chemicals on mature hair.

Choose Proper Styling Tools
Knowing when to comb or brush hair is important to proper grooming. If possible, hair should only be combed when dry. Wet hair is more elastic than dry hair, which means that vigorous combing of the moist fibers can stretch hair to the point of fracture. Use a flexible, plastic comb with smooth, rounded, coarse teeth that easily slip through the hair.

Know Your Hair
Curlier hair tends to fracture more easily than straight hair. For this reason, the makeup of the hair can determine how aggressively hair can be groomed. Black hair should be gently groomed with a wide-toothed comb or hair pick.

Find a Good Stylist
Make sure your stylist uses sharp scissors when cutting your hair. Any
defect in the scissor blade will damage the hair shaft, which
predisposes the hair to split ends.

Be Careful With Hair Accessories
While hair pins and clips
help hold hair in place, they also can break some of your hair. Look
for pins with a smooth, ball-tipped surface, looser-fitting hair clips,
and clips with spongy rubber padding.

Avoid Excessive Hair Dying
Hair coloring and bleaching are
damaging to the hair. If you must dye your hair, the AAD recommends
that you dye your hair no more than three shades from its natural
color.

Choose Good Hair Products
While stiff styling products help
hold your hair in place, the AAD recommends that you use products that
leave your hair flexible.

For more information, look at the American Academy of Dermatology's Web site at www.aad.org.

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