by Sheri Fink

Created on: March 01, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

Many people aspire to have long, beautiful and healthy hair. I'm fortunate to have long, healthy hair and people often compliment me and ask me how I grow and maintain it. Even strangers will stop me in the mall and on the beach to talk with me about it. I'd like to share my hair care secrets with you. These proven techniques will help you get the naturally healthy, shiny long hair that you desire.

1. Get your hair trimmed once every 6-8 weeks.
In order to grow your hair long, you want to keep the dead ends from splitting. Once your hair is damaged, the ends will split and make your hair look and feel frizzy. Getting your hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks gets the dead ends off and prevents further damage.

2. Only brush your hair once or twice a day.
This recommendation seems unusual, but it really makes a big difference in the health of your hair. Brushing your hair is helpful to distribute the natural oils from your scalp throughout the rest of your hair, but it's also damaging to the strands. Brushing your hair less frequently will minimize breakage and allow your hair to look smoother.

3. Always blow-dry your hair on low with warm heat (never hot).
If you blow-dry your hair, be sure to set your hair dryer's intensity on "low" and never use the "hot" heat setting. Using the highest settings fries your hair and accelerates damage. Your best bet is to also use a diffuser attachment to distribute the heat and help your hair dry faster.

BONUS TIP: To make your hair look even shinier, use a round brush at the ends of your hair while focusing the hair dryer on it to "curl" it slightly under. Using this technique from the roots of your hair down to the bottom while holding the "cold" shot button will add extra shine because it helps seal the hair strands. (Hot air expands them and cool hair contracts them.)

4. Use a hot oil treatment once a week.
Hot oil treatments help smooth your hair and prevent future damage. They're easy to use, just heat the tube up in the sink and apply to your hair before shampooing. Let it set for one minute and then rinse, shampoo, and condition as you normally would. You can find hot oil treatments in the hair care aisles of discount stores and drug stores. The brand isn't important, go for the least expensive one you can find. Be sure to stock up when they go on sale.

BONUS TIP: Use a hot oil treatment the day after you have been exposed to sun, wind, chlorine, etc. more than usual. I always use one the day after a trip to the beach, a theme park,

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