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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Tresses in distress? Repair damaged hair

Just as your skin can be burned by the sun, so can your hair. Experts recommend wearing a hat in the sun or applying conditioner that contains sunscreen to block out damaging ultraviolet rays – yes, even in the winter. (Photospin / The Spokesman-Review)
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Just as your skin can be burned by the sun, so can your hair. Experts recommend wearing a hat in the sun or applying conditioner that contains sunscreen to block out damaging ultraviolet rays – yes, even in the winter. (Photospin / The Spokesman-Review)

As with your body and your skin, having beautiful hair takes work. Hair needs good nutrition, minimal stress and of course, great grooming habits.

Repeated bleaching, dyeing, perming and straightening causes hair to become dull and lose its luster. Here are some tips to prevent damage and keep your hair looking beautiful year-round:

•Moisturize. If you have long hair, leave-in conditioner can help keep your tresses full of life. Cold weather in particular can disrupt the moisture balance of the scalp, so make sure to use conditioner in the winter months. Keep an anti-frizz product in your beauty cabinet and use it on those particularly dry days when your hair simply refuses to soak up any moisture.

•Give your hair the spa treatment. When it comes to restorative, indulgent beauty masques, why should your skin have all the fun? Give your locks a luxurious therapeutic spa treatment with a hair masque that is perfect for tresses in distress as well as healthy hair that just needs an occasional pick-me-up. Look for masques with nourishing proteins and organic botanicals.

•Steer clear of heat. Use styling products such as curling irons and hot rollers sparingly. If you use a hair dryer, set it to the coolest setting possible and do not concentrate the heat on one area of the scalp for a long period of time. Also, try using a diffuser to further lessen the heat your hair is subjected to. Towel drying your hair is all right, too, but pat tresses dry, don’t rub. For hair at its healthiest, air-dry – go for that natural look!

•Stay away from rough stuff. They might look harmless, but if your hair is borderline damaged, your hairbrush or comb can really put it over the edge. Instead of dragging harsh bristles over your delicate scalp, dab a few drops of a smoothing serum on your fingertips then finger-comb your hair – especially during these harsh winter months. Your locks will love you for it.

•Protect your hair from the sun. Just like your skin, your hair can become sun-damaged. Wear a hat or apply a conditioner that contains sunscreen to block out damaging ultraviolet rays – even in the winter.