A healthy hair care routine is the secret to achieving shiny, strong hair. And it starts with following the right hair care tips. With so many products and advice to try, figuring out what works for you can be overwhelming.
While it can be tempting to stick to the same routine you’ve been using for years, it doesn’t always work. That’s because lifestyle and environmental changes happen over time that affect even your hair. And certain hair conditions require specific treatments. For example, dry hair requires a different hair treatment routine than glossy hair.
That’s where this guide comes in. Ahead, we show you easy-to-follow tips that tackle frizz, dryness, oily hair, and help to maintain the overall health of your hair.
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10 Easy-to-Follow Tips for Healthy Hair
Know Your Hair Type
Before trying any hair care routine, it’s crucial to know your hair type. It helps to ensure you use the specific products and treatments for your hair.
Every hair type has distinct features that affect how often you should wash, condition, and style it. For example, straight hair is prone to becoming oily because natural scalp oils travel easily down the hair shaft. So heavy oil-based products are a no-no for this hair type.
Whether you have curly, straight, wavy, or coily hair, only use products made for your hair texture.
Wash Your Hair According to Its Needs
Washing your hair regularly cleanses your scalp and hair of dirt and excess oil. However, as we mentioned earlier, the exact frequency depends on your hair type and preferences. If you have dry hair, wash once or twice a week to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils. If you have an oily scalp, consider washing on alternate days.
Over-washing can strip away your hair’s natural oils. Also, not rinsing out shampoo thoroughly can lead to product build-up on your hair, making it look dull. So the right balance is needed.
Use Chemical-Free Shampoos as Hair Care Tips
While you can’t control the environmental factors that damage your hair, you can control the kind of shampoos you use. Aim for gentle shampoos with fewer chemicals, e.g sulfate-fre shampoos.
While sulfate is used for lathering and preserving, it can strip away too much moisture, irritate the scalp, and damage hair.
Condition Properly as Hair Care Tips
Conditioner hydrates your hair. It protects your hair from environmental harm and heat styling. But how you apply it matters. Work it through the middle and ends of your hair, then upward toward your scalp. Then rinse it off thoroughly after application.
Let Your Hair Dry Naturally
Blow drying makes your hair straight and sleek. But doing it too often can damage your hair. To avoid this, air-dry or towel-dry your hair after washing. And when using a towel, be gentle; don’t rub it harshly over your hair.
Be Gentle with Your Hair
Hair is delicate, especially when wet. So don’t go too hard on it. Use a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush to detangle wet hair. If you have thick, curly or coily hair, comb it in the shower before rinsing off your conditioner. And if your hair is straight, let it dry a bit before combing. Once it’s dry, comb the ends of your hair first and go upwards to detangle your hair without causing damage.
Wash with Lukewarm Water as Hair Care Tips
Hot water can strip your hair’s protective oils and sheen. If you can’t stand cold water on your scalp, use lukewarm water to wash your hair.
Protect Your Hair from Heat
Excessive heat damages any hair type. Reduce usage of heat-styling tools like flat or curling irons and a blow-dryer. If you’d rather use them, always apply a heat protectant and keep it at low or medium heat settings.
Trim Your Hair Regularly
Trim your hair every six to eight weeks to get rid of split ends. Split ends often occur due to damage caused by environmental pollution, heat styling, smoking, stress, and other factors. Ironically, trimming makes hair grow faster. It gives hair room to grow healthy from the roots while getting rid of bad strands.
Drink More Water as Hair Care Tips
What you take in reflects outwardly. So when you drink enough water, it reflects as hydrated hair. Even if you use hydrating hair care products and oils, without taking in water, it has little impact. Aim to drink up to three litres of water every day to ensure good hair health.
Eat a Balanced Diet
The saying, “you are what you eat,” remains true even when it comes to hair health. Your hair is made of proteins and amino acids. It needs the right nutrition to grow well and stay healthy. Eat fish, eggs, nuts, berries, sweet potatoes, leafy vegetables, and carrots. They offer the nutrients your hair needs.
Wear Headwear
Overexposure to sunlight, chlorine in swimming pools, and other environmental elements can damage your hair. To protect it, wear headwear like scarves, hats, caps, and hair bonnets. Also, sleep on a satin pillowcase if you don’t have a silk bonnet.
