7 More Hairstyle Questions and Answers

Do you have questions about your hairstyle? than first read my previous post about 10 best Hairstyle Questions and Answers. After that read this article about 7 More Hairstyle Questions and Answers.

Q 1. Can I make my hair grow faster?
Realistically, no. But here are some hair-helper tips that certainly can't hurt. Give yourself at-home scalp massages, says L.A. stylist Philip B. They stimulate the blood flow to your scalp, which helps nutrients get to your hair follicles more quickly. While washing your hair, massage the scalp with your fingertips, starting at the back of the neck and moving around the hairline.

UCLA dermatologist Harold Lancer also suggests taking an over-the-counter vitamin every day that contains antioxidant blends and vitamin B derivatives to help increase hair strength. Dr. Lancer recommends the brand Marlan, available at most major drug stores.

Q 2. My hair gets very frizzy after I blow it dry. What can I use to keep my frizzies down?
To prevent a fuzzy look after blow-drying, apply a quarter-size amount of styling cream to your locks while they're damp, concentrating product on ends. Next, disperse a quarter-size dollop of light-hold gel (for finer hair) or medium-hold gel (for thick, coarse hair) throughout your hair, so strands are fully coated, recommends New York City stylist Jimmy Paul. Comb your hair into place. With a diffuser attachment on your blow-dryer, dry hair, starting at the nape of your neck and working forward. Stop when your hair is 90 percent dry and allow the rest to air-dry. Also, be sure to use a deep-conditioning treatment once a week to prevent dryness, which contributes to a frizzy look.

Q 3. The bottom of my hair is very dry, and the top is oily. Can you tell me the best way to treat my oily scalp and dry roots?
Many people have this problem, as your roots are closest to your oil glands. The best way to treat hair that is normal up top and dry on the bottom is to shampoo only every other day - and apply conditioner only to your ends. On the "off" day, when you're not shampooing, simply rinse your hair with water and, again, apply conditioner only to ends. Other remedies for dry ends? Get a tiny trim (ask your stylist to "dust" the ends) every six to eight weeks. Make sure he/she keeps the cut under half an inch, so that growth will be apparent. Also, towel dry your hair gently (roughing it up causes ends to fray) and use your hairdryer no more than two times a week - aiming airflow down the hair shaft but never directly on ends. A deep conditioner applied (just to ends) overnight can also improve the look of the bottom of your hair. Try: Garnier Fructis Deep Fortifying Conditioner.

Q 4. I have tailbone-length thick hair. It's stick-straight and never holds a style. I like it long, but I would like to give it a new look. Can you suggest a way to update my hairstyle?
For tailbone-length thick hair that is stick-straight and can't hold a style, we advise lopping off a little length - you'll still be able to pull it back if it's below your shoulders. Then get some long, graduated layers - the shortest layer should be no higher than your shoulder. This will give your hair a bit of shape but still allow you to toss it into a high ponytail or a low bun (two great styling options for your type of hair). Another thing to experiment with is a heat-styling tool that will enable you to change the texture of your tresses in no time. We like GHD's Original Ceramic Styling Iron, which you can use to give your hair a super-smooth or curly finish depending on how you use it. To buy online, go to www.ghdhair.com.

Q 5. My long hair gets superdry in the summer. What's the best way to care for it?
"People with long hair need to treat it with special care or it can get strawlike," says Ken Paves, an L.A. hairstylist whose clients include Jennifer Lopez. To do: Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner (on ends only) every other day. Rinse with water alone on off days. Avoid heat-styling (blow-drying, flat-ironing) as often as possible, but if you must, prep hair with a protective spray, such as Charles Worthington Results Stay Cool Spray, first. Another tip: When you're at the beach, spread some of the sunscreen you use on your body through your hair so that it doesn't dry out and get crispy.

Q 6. I have really overprocessed hair due to coloring it. How can I take better care of my hair so that it doesn't look so dry?
When you remove pigment from the hair (lightening your color) it can become dry, says Louis Viel, co-owner of Miano/Viel Salon and Spa in New York. He suggests these tips to combat dry/damaged hair.

1. Don't overcolor. Single-process color should only be done once a month and highlights only need to be done every two to three months.
2. After coloring, use a deep-conditioning treatment.
Try: Pantene Pro-V Essentials Ultimate Hair Therapy. Apply conditioner in the shower and cover with a plastic shower cap with holes in it. Stand in the steam for 5 to 10 minutes to open the cuticle and allow the conditioner to penetrate.
3. Use a shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair to protect the color and keep hair looking healthy.
Try: Wella Color Charm Care Rehydrating Shampoo and Conditioner for Color Treated Hair
If you darken your color and still feel your hair is dry, the cause probably isn't the color. "Overstyling and constant blow-drying is a big cause of dryness," says Viel. Try to avoid blow-drying every day. To keep hair shiny-looking all day, Viel suggest using a shine-enhancing finishing product.
Try: VO5 Sheer Hairdressing Lightweight Leave-In Anti-Frizz & Shine Creme.

Q 7. How do I make my hairstyle last all night?
Layering styling products is the best way to ensure your do's staying power, says Elizabeth Stenstrom of the L Salon and Color Group in San Mateo, CA. To make sure hair doesn't fall flat, apply volumizer twice - the first time to damp roots and the second time to dry roots (after you've styled your hair). Keep face-framing tendrils in place by spraying your fingers with hairspray, then running them down the length of these shorter strands. Also, when using hairspray in general, be sure to spray it all over your hair (flip your head over and spray in toward your roots) - not just on the top layers.

I just got a great short haircut, thinking it would simplify my life. But I've tried everything to re-create what the stylist did in the salon - to no avail.
Believe it or not, your hair is suffering from trauma - a major cut can do that. Because you've cropped it in places other than where it naturally curls, it may be popping up in annoying places. A strong but flexible styling wax twisted around the ends will help. Blast for a few seconds with a blow-dryer on the coolest setting. Try Pantenee Pro-V Texturize! Sculpting Wax.
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.