HOW TO TREAT AND MAINTAIN DREAD LOCKS

*FRIZZY HAIR*

If you suffer from frizzy-looking hair, your locks may not be getting enough hydration. Desperate for some moisture, they may absorb it from the surrounding air,leading you to get the wrong kind of volume. To help tame frizzy-looking hair, try using a polishing shampoo and follow it up with a hydrating conditioner and hair serum.

If you blow-dry your hair, begin with a paddle brush and move on to a round brush once your hair has gone from wet to damp. Never wait for your hair to dry completely before you take to it with a paddle brush. A conditioner formulated with protein can also help you tame unwanted frizz.

*DAMAGED HAIR*

Damaged hair can be a consequence of over-

coloring, straightening, and other hair habits -- unless you intervene with some TLC. Learning how to repair damaged hair has a lot to do with changing your habits. Alternate between air drying your hair and drying it with a blow-dryer on the lowest heat setting.This gives your fried strands a break.

If you're using a straightener every day, consider

giving your hair a rest a few days a week. Getting a good hair cut can also give hair some relief and help rid your mop of split ends. Next up, give your locks some much-needed moisture. Try integrating a hydrating shampoo and conditioner designed specifically for damaged hair into your daily beauty routine.

*DRY HAIR*

Dry hair doesn't just look sad -- it may break or split.

If your hair becomes straw-like, it's time to help

replenish your dehydrated strands. Breathe new life into your hair with products that are formulated to moisturize your hair. Begin your new routine with a sulfate-free shampoo and follow up with a hydrating conditioner.

Still not achieving the shine you desire? Try a hot oil on your strands.The fatty acids in hot oil can help your hair recover. Restorative masks are another good dry hair product that can leave dry hair looking smooth and shiny.

*THIN HAIR*

A head of thin hair can leave you with hair envy. You watch other women flip thick strands of shiny-looking hair over their shoulder, and wrinkle your nose at your own lean ponytail the next time you pass a mirror.

Thankfully, you can achieve the appearance of more volume for your thin hair and use styling techniques to help improve your look using what you have.

Volume filler thickening shampoo can give your hair the love it needs, and a volumizing mousse can help give your hair a boost during the styling process. You can also give your locks the illusion of more volume by blow-drying your hair upside down and teasing the locks at your crown.

*CURLY HAIR*

They say the grass is always greener on the other

side. Ladies with stick-straight locks long for curly

hair, while curly girls struggle to come up with the

perfect way to help tame their spirals. If you're

rocking curly locks and looking for the best way to

create short curly hairstyles, the key may be found in that age-old advice: "Less is more."

After washing your mane with sulfate-free shampoo and a hydrating conditioner, always style it while it's wet. If you must blow-dry, try to use a diffuser Perhaps most importantly, never rub your curly locks with a towel after your shower or use products formulated with a high concentration of alcohol because both could increase the "crunch factor" on your curls.

*COLOR-TREATED HAIR*

Dealing with color-treated hair presents its own

challenges.You leave the salon with the exact shade you'd imagined, but within a few short days you may notice fading or uneven coloring if you don't treat your locks with care at home. Never wash your hair immediately after getting it colored. In fact, it's best to wait a few days before the first shampoo.

Once you hop into the shower, switch from hot water to warm to help prevent color bleeding. A good shampoo for color-treated hair is one that is

formulated to help maintain color vibrancy, applied every other day. In between washes, dry shampoo can be your new best friend. You'll keep your color-treated hair looking fresh without causing unnecessary fading.

If you suffer from common hair ailments, such as dry or damaged hair, stop addressing the problem by throwing your hair into a ponytail. With the right products and a few lifestyle changes, you can transform your mane with a sleek look you're to show off.