Being a mom usually means having less time for yourself. Many women find that motherhood means sacrificing many of the little extras such as beauty and hair treatments. If motherhood has begun to cramp your beauty regime, you may have noticed that your hair has suffered the consequences. By keeping a few basic tips in mind you can keep your hair healthy and still have time to run with the kids.

Shampoo and Conditioners

When it comes to shampoo, less is best. Make a practice of shampooing your scalp rather than the entire length of your hair, as the scalp is where your body releases perspiration and oils onto the hair shaft. When using conditioner do the opposite: be generous and apply more to the length of your hair than to your scalp to achieve the optimum results. Whether your hair is dry, oily, short, permed or color treated, use shampoo and conditioner that is formulated for your hair type.

Be Gentle

Use a wide-toothed comb on wet hair and a brush with wide-spaced bristles on dry hair. While many hair professionals recommend using expensive brushes made from boar bristles for optimum hair health, the American Academy of Dermatology advises that an inexpensive plastic brush achieves the same results.

Easy on the Heat

Heat will damage your hair, so don’t use the highest heat settings on your blow dryer, curling or straightening irons. Consider using a spray product such as a leave-in conditioner that has been formulated specifically for the treatment you are using. Sun can dry and damage hair quickly, so wear a hat or use a hair product with UV protection before going out in the sun.

Think Ahead

Depending on how long your hair is and how fast it grows, the shafts of your hair may be several years old. Your lifestyle is vital to healthy looking hair because the hair that is visible was produced by your body quite some time ago. Eat a healthy, balanced diet that is high in fruits and vegetables, get adequate exercise each day and enough sleep at night to allow your body to produce healthy, shiny hair in the months and years to come.