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Most Common Hair Care Mistake

Do you suffer from thinning hair in spite of your conscientious hair care routine? It’s true that aging and stress are two of the main contributors to thinning hair, you might need to look at other things you’re doing that are to be blamed for hair loss. We asked some top hairstylists and they say a bad habit may be the culprit.

Tight hairdos are notorious for hair loss. Going for excessively tight ponytails, braids, and other updos that pull hair back from the hairline can lead to many problems. This habit can yank out a lot of strands leading to uprooting of the follicles or breakage of the shafts.

The use of heating tools and washing with steam water can leave hair vulnerable as the natural oils are washed away and strands are without protection. The heat causes hair follicles to open and get irritated.
While these hairstyles are cool and give you a fashionable look, do not overdo them. Once in a while, for some occasion or other, these styles are fine to wear. Hairstyles like ponytails, braids, dreadlocks, weaves, cornrows, hair extensions, and other updos done everyday can cause fall out, splitting, thinning, and hair loss, even permanent hair loss.

If you keep it up, soon you might notice early signs of hair loss. A receding hairline, some broken hairs along the hairline, or areas of baldness where your shiny scalp shows through. Then your hair in those areas may just stop growing. You can reach the stage of traction alopecia, where hair cannot grow back.
If you must sport these styles, loosen the strands, thicken the braids and dreadlocks, and do not wear them longer than one or two months. Let your scalp breathe and give your follicles a chance to recover from all that pulling. You can steam your hair but not too often. If you do, be sure to wash the steamed hair in cold water to close up the pores.

Be aware of this mistake that can end up thinning and damaging hair. Whatever hairstyle you choose, be kind to your hair and avoid consistent pulling to prevent irreparable loss.

More Hair Care Tips in Bellevue

Learn more helpful tips about hair care in Bellevue. Here at Geena Moon’s hair salon we can show you fashionable hairdos that are both kind and gentle to your strands and scalp.

More Recommended Trimming Times 

Here are more ideas about how often different hairstyles and types should have a trim. There are factors that affect the frequency of hair trims. Consider these different hair types and how often it should get a trim.

Thick hair. Recommended every few months because by itself thick hair can be maintained minimally without a salon visit. However, thick strands can become unruly if they do not have regular maintenance.

Thin hair. Trimming is advised every two months. Thin hair tends to lose its luster without regular trimming. Thin hair is also prone to breakage, so it needs regular salon visits.

Coarse hair. Similar to thick hair, coarse hair needs a few months in between trimmings. If you have this type of hair, you would know when it needs a refresh. 

Fine hair. Every 6 weeks trim is advised. Very fine hair is susceptible to breakage and so hair cuts are needed regularly. Just like thin hair, fine hair trimming is easy. It’s just a matter of keeping the length. 

Straight or wavy hair. Around 10 to 12 weeks, straight or wavy hair can be snipped. However,  if the hair is fine, 2 weeks earlier is recommended. Again, this is because fine hair easily breaks. 

Coily hair. This type of hair can wait 12 weeks or a quarter of the year before a trim. However, some types of coily hair may need more frequent hair cuts because of dryness. It’s something that plagues fragile, coily hair. 

Kinky or curly hair. This hairstyle can be restricted to trimming once every 6 months. Some with kinky hair go for trims 3 times a year. It’s because, over time, the difference in growth is negligible or not too noticeable. 

Are there rules for trimming schedules for hair that go through regular chemical treatments and use hot tools? Chemically processed or dyed hair needs more regular hair cuts. Dyes make hair fragile especially at the ends. Similarly, if hair is subject to heating tools via blow drying, curling, and straightening, it can get damaged. Heat-damaged hair can be easily cut off, but gradual shaving off every few weeks can restore the health of the hair. 

Seek professional advice if your hair type falls in a variety of categories. Remember that regularly trimmed hair is healthy hair that grows much faster and looks more alive. 

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Having Regular Trims in Bellevue

When you think your hair is due for a trim, come visit us at Gina Moon’s hair salon. Let’s advise you about hair trim schedules that suits your hair type and style best.

The frequency of haircuts can vary depending on individual factors such as hair type, desired hairstyle, and personal preference. However, a general guideline is to get a haircut every 4 to 8 weeks. This timeframe allows for regular maintenance and helps prevent split ends and breakage.

If you’re aiming to maintain a specific style or have shorter hair, you may need more frequent trims to keep your hair looking neat and tidy. On the other hand, if you’re growing out your hair or prefer a longer style, you might be able to stretch the time between haircuts to every 8 to 12 weeks. Realistically, many clients come every 2-3 months to get a trim or even sometimes 1-3 per year.

It’s important to communicate with your hairstylist about your hair goals and preferences. They can provide personalized advice on the best schedule for your hair and help you maintain healthy locks.

For All Types of Hair

Hairstylists are saying that hair trends this 2023 are taking the maximalist approach. We are done with the minimalist, subtle, and easy-does-it styles that characterize the pandemic and post-pandemic periods. Now with all that behind us, more is better, the bigger the better. Waves should be bigger, so do curls and waves, and bigger color changes.

Here are hair trends that scream back-to-office styles, back-to-normal pizazz and oomphs. Hairstylists say: for 2023, think classic looks, healthy yet voluminous, modern chic with layers, curls, and twists.
The ’90s ‘satchel cut’ is a mix between a satchel and a shag. It’s great for fine or thin hair and gives the look of more layers. The style does not make hair look limp or thin. It’s breezy and light but gives the impression of a well-thought hair style.

The Curly Shag is awesome for those with curls. It gives purpose to a hairstyle, projecting volume and freedom of movement. If you have a certain face shape and type of hair, it defines your total look.

The Long Shag is for hair lengths that you want defined and eye-catching. It volumizes where it needs to because it lifts your layers. It actually can soften facial features.

Parted in the Middle Straight Hair is a no-nonsense style for the classic lady. It’s a 70s look that’s making a comeback. Apply oil or hair serum to keep it shiny and protected all day.

The High Bun and Ponytail is a face-framing style that keeps the hair like a crown you wear. It’s so simple that it looks like you just fixed it in less than a minute. Keep in place with lots of bobby pins while a few strands are let loose for a softer look.

The Updo with Volume is a slicked-back updo that carries volume in place. If your hair is flat or fine, grab some velcro rollers and roll up in 5 or 7 places all around, let loose and pin behind. Be sure you have the volume just up enough and stay with hairspray.

The ‘90s Grunge Hair is getting everybody to fall in love with it. It’s just short or long hair with more layers and choppy pieces. The great thing is it’s achievable with any hair length or style.

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Getting The Trending Look in Bellevue

Are you ready to make that style leap for 2023? Come to Geena Moon’s hair salon in Bellevue and we’ll show you more maximalist styles to define the new you in 2023.

Recommended Trimming Times 

How do I know I need to trim my hair?

If you’re having split ends, this is long past the time you should have had a trim. Prior to your split ends, your hair may have been dry and brittle and may have been hard to comb or brush through. You might also find that it takes more time for you to style. Before you find your hair looking lifeless, it’s time for a trim. 

How much hair should I cut and how often?

Some experts say every 3 to 4 weeks, on the average. However, we have always been taught that 6 to 8 weeks is the norm. If you are growing out your hair, trimming is also necessary and the expert advice is between a quarter to half an inch off the hair every 12 weeks. If you want it more frequently than that, remember that hair grows generally a half inch per 30 days. It doesn’t go any faster than that. Another tip is if you notice breakage higher up the hair from the ends, trimming is advised. 

How often should I trim my bangs?

For bangs to look their best, every 2 weeks trim is recommended. Most people who want their bangs out of their eyes would go for cuts every 3 to 4 weeks. This is the time you feel your bangs have overgrown. 

How often should I trim:

Short Hair

Maintain trimming every month or every 6 weeks. This is for pixies, bowl cut, or contemporary crop. As short hair like these seem to grow much faster than shoulder length hair, they can lose their distinctiveness quickly as they tend to frame the face. So to keep them sharp-looking, regular trims are called for.

Medium-length Hair

You can have hair cuts every 6 to 8 weeks, or 8 to 12 weeks if you want to keep it longer. Styles vary from long bobs, tousled shags, or layered. You can actually keep them as long before a trim as they become more distinct over time. 

Long hair

Recommended is 3 to 6 months. That’s depending on the style – from braids, sleek/straight, curls, and beach waves. However, due to their length, long hair can break easily and appear thinner. Hair care must be in order. They are easier to maintain if you don’t use color or heat. 

Layered Hair

It’s best to trim every 6 to 8 weeks. You can easily feel this style verging to overgrowth if trimming goes beyond this time frame. Layers are distinctive as they frame the face between the cheekbones and the jawline. Trim at 6 weeks if you have many choppy layers.

Schedule an Appointment with Geena

Whatever your hair length, if you think you need to go for a trim, visit Geena Moon’s hair salon in Bellevue. Gain more hair care tips when you see her.

The Basic Components 

Whatever your hair type, how you wear your hair, and whatever your hair concerns are, every hair care routine has basic components. 

Cleansing hair is removing product residue, dirt, and dead skin without stripping the natural oils from the strands. But if hair is not properly washed, the oily, sticky wax called sebum builds up and attracts more dirt and residue. What’s best for you: A clarifying shampoo is a deep-working shampoo that gets rid of all build-up. Its use must be limited though to once monthly as it can strip natural oils as well. Otherwise, for regular washing so-called daily shampoos with gentler formulas can be used.

Conditioning does moisturising primarily, but as well as detangling, add shine and reduce frizz. Its main ingredient, a cationic surfactant, sticks to wet hair coating it with moisture that shampoo has removed. What’s best for you:  You can use a daily conditioner that rinses out in a few minutes. There are leave-in conditioners that you don’t need to leave out. Use this if your hair needs more nourishment and moisture. And if your hair is damaged or tends toward dryness, use a deep conditioner. 

Moisturising and Sealing is a two-step process that provides more hydration than conditioning. This is your go-to step if your hair is kinky or coily and with a tendency to dryness. The process involves sealing in the moisture by a hydrating product and sealing oil. What’s best for you: After you have done with shampoo and conditioner, apply a cream-based hair lotion and then seal with oil. The lotion protects from dryness and breaking, as the oil seals the moisture in.

Detangling is removing all those tangled knots in your hair without causing breakage. Tangles can happen to all hair types and it’s essential that you use the right tool for it, or else by mistake, you might pull out a handful of strands. Sometimes you might do detangling everyday. What’s best for you: Use a comb on wet hair, more so if it’s textured or very curly; a wide-tooth comb is safer to use. Use a brush that you’re comfortable with; settle with bristles that are not too hard on your hair and scalp; avoid too much brushing. Use detangling spray or detangling serum if need be before brushing or combing. 

Styling and Protecting go together because with so many array of products available, plus hot tools, your hair needs a lot of protection as you style. What’s best for you: Mousse provides volume and texture, especially to curls; choose one that doesn’t feel sticky. Hair wax provides more hold but shouldn’t make your hair stiff; they also add lots of shine. Pomade gives that sleek look to the hair; it’s very shiny, not drying, and lasts through the day. Styling gel gives that obvious shine and texture; different types provide anywhere from a light hold to very strong hold.

Dry Shampoo is used to eliminate extra oil which makes your hair often greasy; it’s not used everyday as it builds up on your scalp. Volumizers tend to lift your hair making it look thicker; it’s supposed to be lightweight and generally intended for limp hair. Texturizers add texture to hair and tend to preserve the style; examples are salt sprays, curl definers, foam, dry spray, etc. Shine serum or spray gives the glossy, smooth look, applied on hair surfaces except the roots. Hair spray provides a variety of holding power, but shouldn’t make hair appear stiff. Heat protection spray is important when you use heating tools; it  shields the hair strands from extreme heat.

Treatments for various hair issues include scalp treatment, protein treatment and hair masks. Scalp treatments are 1 or 2 times monthly; it uses exfoliating action that unclog follicles, stimulate blood circulation for growth, and resolves itchiness. Protein treatments give frizzy or brittle hair more protein; monthly treatments strengthen and smooth strands and fill in gaps in the cuticle. Hair masks take only a few minutes to nourish the hair with nutrients and resolve frizz, dryness, or split ends.

While most apply themselves to follow these steps faithfully, use of these products and tools vary widely and preferences differ. Find out what is best for you. Do not expect overnight results because they take time. For a more professional approach, ask your hairstylist. What is important is not the order of the routine, but your consistency. 

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What You Need To Know 

Once you know what works for you, you can get yourself a great hair routine that can pretty much make life a lot easier for you. Before that, it can be daunting as there will be hits and misses. Here’s laying down for you what you need to know to land that hair care routine.

What’s Your Hair Type?

Firstly, know what your natural hair texture or type is. There are actually four categories and you can only have one of them – straight, wavy, curly, or kinky. There are advantages and disadvantages for each type. For example, straight hair can look sleek due to the ease that natural oils coat it. However, straight hair often lacks volume and body. On the other hand, curly hair affords volume and does not need those curling tools. But then, this hair type needs a lot of anti-frizz and conditioning products.

Is Your Hair Chemically Treated?

Then, determine if your hair has been dyed, bleached , or has undergone chemical treatments like straightening. If so, your hair needs extra work. Dyed hair calls for practices and products that prevent dryness and color fading. Bleached hair needs regular conditioning like use of hair masks to give it extra nourishment. Chemically straightened hair also needs regular conditioning and avoidance of heating tools. 

How Do You Wear Your Hair Daily?

Do you always wear it naturally, no straightening or curling?  Or do you always have to resort to hot tools like blow dryers and irons and you can’t leave the house without using them? You have to consider these, too, because frequent heat application can lead to damaged hair. Do you wear your hair in buns, ponytails, headbands, or do you braid them often? These can cause breakage and thinning. It’s another practise you have to consider.

Do You Have Current Hair Issues?

You might have specific concerns that are presently confounding you about your hair. Do you suffer from thinning and loss of hair, flaky scalp, split-ends, frizzy hair, dry and damaged hair? These problems should be addressed and remedies incorporated into your routine to be able to fix the condition. 

Knowing where you are in your hair care journey is just the first half of the task. The next part is finding the solutions to the problems. That will be the subject of our next blog.

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Asking The Professional in Bellevue

When you have problems in establishing which hair care routine is best for you, do not hesitate to ask Geena Moon. Visit us at our hair salon in Bellevue.