Many people have daily and nighttime skincare routines, but did you know having a regular hair care routine is essential for healthier hair?
That doesn’t simply mean you regularly shampoo and condition your hair. There are several products you should add to your hair care process to improve your overall hair health and rid your scalp of any pesky hair conditions.
Finding a plan that works with your specific hair type will get you on the path to a healthier and happier scalp.
Read on for our top seven tips to improving your hair quality.
1. Embrace Your Natural Hair
We’re sure many of us can raise our hands when asked if we used heat on our hair more than three times a week. If you want to work on preventing dry hair or split ends, you will need to use fewer heat tools. Too much heat on your hair can lead to brittle or dry hair, split ends, and breakage.
Use weekends as an opportunity to let your hair recover from a week’s worth of heated styling. Don’t pull it back in a tight ponytail or bun to avoid unnecessary pulling on the strands of hair.
When styling your hair, use the medium or low settings to not overexpose it to heat. Use a heat protectant to work as a barrier between your hair and the styling tool to avoid damage. Give your hair time to relax between stylings.
2. Wash Your Scalp and Hair Regularly
Having a clean and healthy scalp is essential for hair care. Many people suffer from dry scalps and dreaded dandruff. If you suffer from psoriasis, implementing a psoriasis hair treatment is vital to strengthening your hair follicles, and this starts with the scalp.
If your head constantly feels itchy and dry, and the shampoo you’re using isn’t helping, be sure to consult a doctor. You don’t want the problem to escalate to something more unpleasant.
The amount of times you wash your hair a week is up to you. Be sure to use an exfoliating shampoo to help get rid of any building up on your scalp while maintaining the natural oils of your hair.
3. Feed Your Hair Quality Ingredients
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet not only does wonders for your body but your hair as well. Your hair is classified as a non-essential tissue, so your body won’t send the proteins you eat up to your head first. If you’re eating enough protein, your body will have plenty to send around to all the places that need it.
Eating foods high in iron is important as well as its an energy source for your hair. Having a deficiency in iron is linked to hair loss, so be sure to monitor your iron intake and levels. Drink lots of water as well to give your hair the nutrients it needs to grow shiny and full.
4. Regularly Cut Your Hair
If you want to grow your hair, get it cut regularly. That seems the opposite of what you should do if you want it to get longer, right? The longer you go in between haircuts, the more your hair will dry out.
The ends will continue to split, getting rid of the length you’re trying to achieve. Having your hair cut regularly will help minimize breakage and split ends. Shoot for getting a quick trim every six to eight weeks.
5. Find a Good Leave-in Conditioner
You should be using a deep conditioner on your hair at least once a week. It will add in extra hydration and nutrients your hair needs.
You may feel inclined to leave the product on overnight, thinking it will seal in the moisture even further. Leaving it on for that extended length of time can damage your hair. Don’t leave it on for any longer than what is suggested on the directions.
Depending on whether you have oily, dry, or normal hair, find a product that is specifically tailored to what you need. You don’t want to weigh down your hair with a greasy product.
6. Massage Your Hair and Scalp
When you go to the salon to get your hair cut, stylists will often massage your hair and scalp when washing your hair. Why not do the same treatment on yourself? Massaging your hair and scalp a few times a week will stimulate your hair follicles.
It will also encourage healthy growth by helping the blood flow to your scalp. You can also use oil when massaging your hair after your shower.
Coconut, almond, or olive oil are great products to use on your hair. After you massage it into your strands and scalp, leave it on for at least one hour before washing it out with a mild shampoo. You can add in drops of different essential oils for fragrance and added benefits.
Don’t think that just because you add oil to your hair that it will subsequently become more oil. It will improve the texture of your hair, as well as adding a protective layer to prevent damage.
7. Limit Touching Your Hair
Whatever oils you have on your hands will be transferred to your hair throughout the day the more you touch it. Pulling on your hair, twirling it, or picking at the split ends will only cause unneeded traction on your strands.
Leave your hair alone as much as you can. Protecting your hair by putting it in styles that require little to no handling will help your hair stay healthy and continue to grow.
Establish a Healthy Hair Care Routine
Working a hair care routine into your week will ensure your hair continues to be healthy for years to come. Not only will you improve the quality of your locks, but your scalp will improve. Don’t worry about dandruff or itchy scalp once you begin implementing these tips.
For more lifestyle and beauty tips, check out some of our other articles.