Healthy Hair 101
By Didi Gluck
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In the Kitchen
Eat!
"If you diet and lose hair, it usually means one thing: Your diet is inadequate," says Greyl. The best follicle fuel? Omega-3 fatty acids (found in cold-water fish like salmon) and protein (think nuts and cheese), says Oz Garcia, a nutritionist in New York City.
At the Salon
Time your color touch-ups.
Though it sounds counterintuitive, dyeing your hair more often (every 28 days, advises Andrew Bartfield, vice president of education at L'Oréal Professionnel) can actually help prevent chemical damage. Since the ends of your hair will be less likely to fade, your colorist won't have to leave the dye on as long, explains Bartfield.
Use protection.
To avoid fade, try not to shampoo for 72 (yes, 72) hours after getting your hair colored, says Scrivo. And use only color-safe products.
Try: Back to Basics Color Protect Shampoo and Conditioner, and L'Oréal Color Show Liss Smoothing Cream
Plan for your processes.
Which chemical processes can really wreck your hair? From least damaging to most: temporary color; semipermanent color; demi-permanent color; permanent color; high-lift color or bleach; permanent wave; and relaxer, thermal reconditioning or straightening. Consult your stylist about the type of care your chemically altered mane will require pre- and post-treatment - or face hair-raising consequences, says Nawrot.
Stylist Secret
To temporarily but quickly mend frayed ends, hair pro Rodney Groves spreads Kérastase Serum Nutri-Sculpt, a leave-in treatment, through dry tresses, then blasts them briefly with a hair dryer.
