A beautiful head of hair is very important for most of us. It says a lot about us as people. If you could see only a person’s hair, without seeing the face, you could tell quite a bit about that person. For example, a simple color, like brown, black, or blond will indicate a young person; especially if that hair is thick and/or long. Multi-colored hair, like "salt and pepper" gray, will indicate an older person. Pattern baldness indicates an older person. Of course, when you start adding hair color from a bottle, multi-colored, multi-layered, unnatural colors, or hair pieces, it is impossible to tell the age of the person without other indicators, like seeing the person’s face. The obsession that most people have with staying young prompts many to alter their hair to give the illusion that they are younger than their years. It is a bad, destructive obsession. Is there something wrong with getting older? Actually, getting older should be a good thing. More years should indicate more intelligence, more savvy, more experience, and, therefore, a better person overall. It is a sad sight when we see a person in their sixties trying to look like they did in their twenties. It presents a confusing picture. How do we approach this person? Do we address the obvious age of this person (you can’t really hide your true age very much) or do we treat them as the immature image that they are trying to project?

At any age healthy hair can be attractive and communicative. We should take care of our hair – for the right reasons. Here are some suggestions to keep your hair healthy and good looking:

1. Wash your hair. Use a shampoo that leaves your hair feeling and looking clean. Some shampoos are made to clean oily hair, or dry hair, or other conditions. Try out a few different brands to decide which one gives you the best result. Usually the better brands are a little more expensive, but sometimes the bargain brand is just fine. Wash the hair as often as is necessary to keep it looking healthy. Different folks need different products and different frequency of washing for best results, so take a little time to find your personal best formula.

2. Cut your hair. Whether you get a weekly haircut or just trim it once in a while, attend to the cutting process so that it always looks neat and trimmed. Your hair is the frame that surrounds your face. Just as a picture frame can enhance your picture, your hair can enhance the look of your face.

3. Style your hair. Not everyone needs a stylist to do their hair, but if your hair is thick and full, you may want to consider having it professionally styled to see how it can enhance your look. Once you have a great looking hairstyle, maintain it. Don’t keep changing it on a whim. When people get used to seeing you with an attractive hairstyle, they will associate you with your "look". Changing things only confuses people; they start to question your identity.

4. Color your hair. But only if necessary to maintain your natural hair color. Once you deviate too far from your original color, you start to look ridiculous. For example, there is no such thing as green, or blue, or yellow hair in Nature. These types of hair color brand the person as immature and as a person with mental/emotional problems. Hiding a few gray hairs here and there is okay if you are graying prematurely, but overall, you will look better with a natural color – the one that Nature provided.

5. Condition your hair. Excessive washing, sun exposure, harsh elements, and dirt can cause your hair to become dry, cracked, and unhealthy. Sometimes you can go to a hair dresser who will suggest the right conditioner for your hair. Follow this person’s advice if you find it sound. Also, follow the directions on all hair products carefully so that you get the desired results. Once you find the right formula of hair products for your particular hair, stick to the formula so that you can get and maintain a healthy, good looking head of hair.