Published on August 26, 2024, 10:47 pm
As we venture into our 40’s, the struggle to maintain long, healthy hair becomes real. Most of us are plagued by thinning hair and loss of strength that accompanies ageing. Yet, a glimmer of hope appears for all those who are adamant about maintaining their crowning glory. This beacon of light is the ACA Method, an at-home treatment which I stumbled upon in my pursuit to have superfluously thick and long hair – extensions not allowed!
The ACA Method utilizes your everyday conditioner in a pre-shampoo step. Hair expert and esteemed salon owner Berta Martín Sainz explains this rather unique approach: “Applying conditioner to the middle lengths and ends before shampooing helps fill any cracks or holes in the hair fibre.” The aim is to avoid water from seeping into these weak areas in strands subsequently making your lustrous locks more delicate.
Clara Fernández, a knowledgeable pharmacist concurs with Martín Sainz and adds, “When doused with water, the cuticle elevates exposing the cortex which makes each strand more susceptible to damage.” This also can cause unwanted frizziness.
Dubbed ACA for its Spanish roots – acondicionador (conditioner), champú (shampoo) – this method follows three easy steps: conditioner, shampoo, and conditioner again. As per Martín Sainz’s suggestion: “Apply the first round of conditioner to dry hair starting from mid-lengths up until the ends. Then let it work its magic for about 20-30 minutes.” Following this process is simply washing it off using regular shampoo and reinstating the conditioner after thoroughly rinsing it off.
The cosmetic guru further advises choosing a hair conditioner abundant with hydrolyzed protein that presumably would add that essential filling effect while safeguarding your precious strands.
Contrary to my initial intention of incorporating this method into my daily routine for healthful hydration (and expedited growth), Martín Sainz recommends practicing it just once weekly. A schedule of every two weeks is sufficient if you possess relatively healthy hair.
You don’t have to be a hair salon enthusiast or frequent the barber shop, day spa, med spa or face spa to maintain optimal scalp health. This simple, yet effective regimen presents itself as an all-encompassing beauty routine one might look for in skin spas, nail salons and even within more holistic healing practices like float therapy and alternative medication!From your pet’s grooming needs to your personal cryotherapy sessions, fitness concerns and tanning desires; from ultra-modern microblading techniques to age-old waxing practices; this all-round routine promises hydration that caters not only to caring for your mane but also nurtures well-being – inspiring self-care in its truest form.