Tips For A Healthy Hair Routine At Home
Hair is the most important accessory we wear every day and your hair care habits can be the difference between good and not-so-good-looking hair.
As with skin, everyone's hair is and behaves differently, and multiple factors such as genetics, diet, hair products, etc, affect the way your hair feels and looks. While some of these factors we can't control, you can achieve healthy hair by learning and following a routine that works well for your type of hair.
Here are 5 tips you can follow to optimize the health of your hair.
1. Use the right products for your type of hair
It might sound obvious but you should first understand your type of hair. Curly hair tends to get dryer, so the curlier your hair is, the more need for moisture-packed products. On the other hand, if you have fine hair, rich products with a lot of moisture can weigh your hair down and make it feel dull and lifeless. Start by evaluating the products you use regularly, even something as simple as switching your shampoo and conditioner can make a world of a difference within the first few uses.
Also, trying to fix your hair problems with the most expensive product out there doesn't make a difference if you don't know what you need. Your hair might be lacking moisture but you are trying to fix it by adding protein. It's like taking cough syrup to alleviate your stomach pain...see what I'm saying? Not because a product offers a solution it means that it is the right solution for you.
A general rule amongst professionals is to go back to the basics. If you are using all sorts of different products that promise magical solutions but still no change, your best bet is to switch to a basic shampoo and conditioner and give your hair a little break from using too many products.
If you're not sure where to begin, talk to a professional or connect with a friend that has a similar hair type to yours. They probably understand your struggle and can save you the hassle of trying out thousands of different products that you'll only end up using a couple of times.
2. Style your hair on a regular basis
No one's hair looks perfect when they first roll out of bed, although I'm sure we've all experienced the perfect hair day when you planned to lay down as a couch potato all day; but it's good to get in the habit of styling your hair with a blow dryer and avoid hitting the pillow with your wet hair. The biggest issue when you do this is that in order to fix that weird kink, you now have to resort to higher heat tools like a flat iron or curling iron, causing a lot more damage.
In fact, blow-drying your hair (when done correctly) actually helps to close down the cuticle, brings out the shine, and smooths out the surface of your hair strands. Of course, not everyone has the time to blow dry their hair every day, or the patience to do it. A good trick is letting your hair air-dry up to 80% and then going in with the blow dryer and a brush that feels comfortable to you. By doing this you'll avoid spending too much time styling your hair and it'll still look as good as if you blow-dried from completely wet hair.
Apply some product to support the style you are looking for and start with the lowest temperature setting, slowly working towards a higher temperature if needed. A good blow dry can leave your hair styled for two to three days, which also helps avoid the overuse of hot tools.
Finish off with a high blast of cold air on your roots to make sure your hair is completely dry and avoid frizziness.
3. Give your hair a break from hot tools
I know, this solution kind of contradicts the paragraph above, but the use of hot tools on a regular basis can leave your hair feeling brittle, dull, and dry and when that happens there is no magical product to help you fix it. If you must use hot tools every day make sure to avoid using high temperatures and going over the same section multiple times.
A product that's often missed in conversation but is a MUST if you use hot tools regularly, is a heat protectant. Seriously it makes a world of a difference. You can find them in different varieties such as a styling cream you use before your blow-dry or in a dry spray version which you spray before you go in with your flat or curling iron.
4. Avoid shampooing your hair too much
The shampoo is meant to clean up excess oils and product build-up in your hair, but washing your hair every day can actually do more harm than good, as it strips out the natural oils in your hair and scalp. Removing those natural oils can make your hair feel dry and brittle. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule; some people produce enough oil to need to wash their hair daily, but they are not the majority.
If you still can't get in with the idea of not washing your hair every day, I recommend using a gentler shampoo or even trying out a dry shampoo to push you from everyday washing to an on and off routine.
5. Don't wear your hair up with really tight elastics
Using a really tight elastic can actually be super harmful to your hair and you can end up with tons of what you thought was "baby hair", but it's actually your strands of hair that have been split because of the tension you put on every day. I'd recommend switching your everyday elastic to a scrunchie or an invisibobble, which are a lot gentler on the hair, and get the job done, plus they are such a cute accessory for your hair!
Remember, it's called a journey for a reason
There isn't a product or service that will magically make your hair look amazing, but changing your bad hair habits will get you there eventually. After some experimentation, you'll get to learn what works best for you and how to keep your hair as healthy as you can.
Opinions and Perspectives
RunwayReady_22
3 years ago
Wish they mentioned how important scalp care is. A healthy scalp means healthy hair growth.
Earth-To-Table_01
3 years ago
The key is consistency with whatever routine you choose. Took me months to see results but it was worth the wait.
Azalea99
3 years ago
Absolutely agree about not needing expensive products. Some of my holy grail items are from the drugstore.
HealthyHabits_24
3 years ago
These tips are great but I think everyone needs to find their own rhythm with hair care. What works for one person might not work for another.
Stylista_Dreams
3 years ago
Regular trims make such a difference. Even just a tiny trim every 8 weeks keeps my ends healthy.
Tina_Glimmer
3 years ago
The article could have mentioned more about protective styling. It's really helpful for maintaining hair health.
KhloeMarie
3 years ago
Learning to properly section my hair while blow drying was a game changer. Makes the process so much more effective.
DeclutterAndThrive
3 years ago
My hair responds so differently in various seasons. Need different products for summer versus winter.
BalancedBeing
3 years ago
I've found that using cooler water when washing makes a huge difference in shine and frizz control.
Jasmine-Howard
3 years ago
The advice about not sleeping with wet hair is spot on. My hairdresser explained how it can cause breakage.
Astrid99
3 years ago
Changed to washing my hair at night and it's been so much better. Gives it time to air dry naturally.
Alice_Sanders
3 years ago
True about diet! Since improving my nutrition and taking biotin, my hair growth has increased significantly.
Grateful-And_Grounded_555
3 years ago
Great tips overall but I think diet and supplements play a huge role too in hair health.
Esme-Romero
3 years ago
Understanding protein versus moisture was key for me. My hair was protein overloaded and I had no idea.
PhoenixH
3 years ago
I've found rotating between different shampoos helps prevent my hair from getting too used to one product.
Sweat_And_Success_42
3 years ago
The part about blow drying closing the cuticle makes so much sense. My hair is definitely shinier when I blow dry properly.
Riley_Joyful
3 years ago
My hair got so much healthier when I started deep conditioning once a week. Should have been mentioned in the article.
Daphne99
3 years ago
Interesting how the article emphasizes styling regularly. I always thought less manipulation was better.
Salma99
3 years ago
Been doing the 80% air dry method for weeks now. My hair looks so much better and it saves time!
Luxury_Aesthetic
3 years ago
Finding someone with similar hair type really helps. My friend recommended products that worked perfectly for me.
Slay_Fashion_555
3 years ago
The advice about tight elastics is crucial. Wish I had known this in my younger years!
Flow-With_Nature_01
3 years ago
Try using dry shampoo before bed rather than in the morning. It works much better at absorbing oil overnight.
Fashion_Rebel
3 years ago
Anyone have tips for transitioning to less frequent washing? My hair gets so oily by day two.
ManifestMagic
3 years ago
I stopped using hot tools completely and my hair has never been healthier. Just learned to embrace my natural texture.
MindfulMeditation
3 years ago
The part about understanding your hair type is so important. Took me forever to realize I was using products too heavy for my fine hair.
ZenSoul_Journey_360
3 years ago
I wish the article mentioned more about clarifying shampoos. They're essential for removing product buildup.
Bella
3 years ago
The tip about cold air blast at the end of blow drying is crucial. Really helps lock in the style.
Fashion_Flare
3 years ago
Yes! Silk pillowcases have been amazing for reducing friction and keeping my style intact overnight.
Radiate_Confidence_360
3 years ago
Anyone else noticed their hair health improved after switching to silk pillowcases?
AmayaB
3 years ago
Took me years to accept that expensive doesn't mean better. Some drugstore products work amazingly well.
MeditationMaven
3 years ago
Every hair type is different. What works for straight hair won't necessarily work for curly hair.
Kendra_Stephens
3 years ago
Not sure about the blow drying advice. Air drying has always worked better for my curly hair.
Fashion_Explorer
3 years ago
My hair transformed when I started using a microfiber towel instead of regular bath towels. Less frizz and damage.
Jolene-Black
4 years ago
The article is right about professionals suggesting basics. My stylist had me strip back my routine and it made such a difference.
Sienna_Morris
4 years ago
I've found that sleeping with my hair in a loose braid helps maintain style and reduces damage.
Serene-Soul_999
4 years ago
Love that this article mentions invisibobbles! They're fantastic for working out without causing those annoying ponytail creases.
Lena_Sunset
4 years ago
Your scalp adjusts over time. Start by washing every other day and slowly extend the time between washes.
Style_Chronicles
4 years ago
Can we talk about how hard it is to break the daily washing habit? I feel gross if I don't wash my hair every day.
BlairRichardson
4 years ago
Try starting at the lowest setting and gradually increase if needed. I usually stick to medium heat and it works great.
Juliette_Flower
4 years ago
What temperature do you all use for blow drying? I never know if I'm using too much heat.
MeadowS
4 years ago
The heat protectant advice is spot on. I ruined my hair with flat irons before I discovered heat protection sprays.
CheerfulSpirit
4 years ago
Interesting point about basic products. I simplified my routine to just shampoo and conditioner and my hair looks better than ever.
Giselle-Bailey
4 years ago
I would love to style my hair daily but who has the time? I need more practical solutions for busy mornings.
CamilleM
4 years ago
My hairdresser told me the same thing about protein vs moisture balance. Made the switch and my hair stopped breaking so much.
Paige_Flutter
4 years ago
Actually, genetics play a role but proper care makes a huge difference. I saw major improvements when I stopped using hot tools daily.
Minimalist_Happiness_222
4 years ago
Honestly, I've tried everything in this article and my hair still looks terrible. Sometimes I think it's just genetics.
Erica-Ball
4 years ago
The tip about air drying 80% then finishing with a blow dryer is brilliant. Saves so much time and my arms don't get as tired!
AlessiaH
4 years ago
Just started using dry shampoo between washes and it's been life changing. My hair looks fresh without over-washing.
WholeheartedLiving
4 years ago
I disagree about expensive products not making a difference. Since I started using high-end shampoo, my hair texture has completely changed.
SelfCare_Sanctuary_42
4 years ago
The part about blow drying actually being better than sleeping with wet hair surprised me. I've been doing it wrong all these years!
Callie-Stone
4 years ago
I made the switch to silk scrunchies last year and my hair breakage has reduced significantly. Those tight elastics were really damaging my hair.
Glam-Scene
4 years ago
Does anyone have recommendations for a good heat protectant spray? I style my hair daily and want to minimize damage.
InnerLightShining
4 years ago
Not washing my hair daily was a game changer for me. My scalp is so much less oily now after training it for a few months.
Arabella-Gonzalez
4 years ago
I've always struggled with finding the right products for my curly hair. This article really helped me understand why moisture is so important!