Haircare has been made out to be an art. A secret riddle that only a few know the answer to. And while hairstyling certainly takes talent, hair maintenance comes down to your lifestyle and habits.
If you dream of healthy hair but can’t seem to find the key that works for you, you’ve come to the right place! Listed below are a few fantastic hair maintenance tips that can help anyone achieve their hair goals.
Let’s start with the simplest tip for hair care at home – wash your hair regularly. Now, you’ve likely heard a variety of suggestions as to how often you “should” be washing your hair, many of them conflicting. But the truth is, the amount you wash your hair has little to do with its health.
It comes down to personal preference and what your type of hair requires. If you have an oily scalp and hair, you might prefer washing it every other day. Those with a dry scalp and hair, on the other hand, would do better washing their hair only once or twice a week.
The trick is to wash your hair with the right products in the right way, which leads us to shampoo.
Enough stress is put on your hair in your day-to-day environment. The last thing you want to do is put further stress on it by using shampoos filled with chemicals.
When shopping for shampoo, choose one that suits your hair type but has as few chemicals as possible. Parabens and sulfates are ingredients put into shampoo for preservation and that satisfying foaming effect we look for when washing our hair.
The secret, however? The amount your shampoo foams has nothing to do with its effectiveness. And sulfates can irritate your skin with frequent use and can cause hormonal disruptions, so it’s better to avoid them.
A conditioner is a great tool for creating soft, silky hair that more easy to manage. That said, it’s important to use it correctly to avoid causing your scalp to become greasy.
The best way to use conditioner is to put a pump or two in your hand, as normal, but when you move to put it in your hair, start at your ears. When most of the conditioner has been rubbed into the ends of your hair, you can put the remainder on the upper portion of your hair.
In addition, unless you’re using a leave-in conditioner, be sure to wash it out thoroughly post-application. Similar to hair washing, there’s no “right” amount of time to leave your conditioner in, but as long as you can is usually best.
Don’t worry too much about the length of time. Just shampoo and condition your hair at the beginning of the shower, leave the conditioner in while you go through the rest of your routine, and wash it out right before you dry off.
If you truly want to provide the best hair care possible to your locks, you shouldn’t be looking at split end serums or damage erasers. In truth, the main determining factor when it comes to hair health is your overall health.
A bad diet will ruin your hair like nothing else. This is because hair is made up of a protein called keratin. This protein is formed by amino acids that come from our diet.
Out of all the healthy hair tips we can give you, this one is the most important. Your diet should be rich in lean, healthy proteins such as eggs, fish, nuts, and seeds. Include plenty of berries, leafy greens, and sweet potatoes as well.
If you’re concerned that there might be gaps in your diet, you can give a hair vitamin product a try. These are packed with the vitamin content needed for healthy hair. However, keep in mind that your body absorbs nutrients much more efficiently through diet.
These products should be used to supplement the nutrients received from a good diet, not to replace them.
Along with a healthy diet, every part of your body needs plenty of water to maintain health, including your hair. Aim for 2-3 liters of water a day, more if you’re pregnant, nursing, or very physically active.
Eating well and taking care to drink water aren’t quick fixes or the most exciting of hair care tips, but they’re much more effective than any miracle product on the market.
Being gentle with your hair goes further than you might think. This means shampooing and conditioning with gentle hands, allowing your hair to air dry rather than using heat, and leaving it down as often as you can.
Tight hairstyles are great on occasion but can cause breakage, damage, even hair loss if you’re not careful. Always go to bed with your hair down, and if you wear long-lasting braids, make sure they’re loose at your scalp.
Last, never brush your hair or rub it with a towel when it’s wet. Wet hair is three times more vulnerable to damage than dry hair. Instead of dragging a brush through your hair post-shower, try using a pick or wide-tooth comb, then leaving it to dry before doing anything further.
It might seem like taking care of your hair is hard work, but in reality, your hair thrives naturally! If you struggle with hair maintenance and can’t seem to find the answer, you might be looking in the wrong place.
Instead of buying product after product, make some changes to your lifestyle. You might be surprised at the difference it can make.
Looking for more tips for improving the health of your hair and skin? Be sure to check out our blog!