1. Know your hair type
Every person has different hair, and it often needs to be treated and taken care of in different ways. Learn what type of hair you have in order to create the best possible hair care regimen. Go a few days with natural hair, not using any products, and observe what your hair tendencies are. You may discover that your hair is:
- Oily
- Dry
- Normal
- Wavy
- Straight
- Curly
- Coily
- Thick
- Fine
Once you have figured out your hair type, always treat your hair in accordance with that. Your hair will likely react differently than a friend’s hair to certain products and care.
2. Wash your hair when it is necessary
Many people believe that they need to wash their hair daily, but in truth most hair types only need to wash their hair every other day or a few times a week. Depending on your hair type, wash your hair when it’s dirty, not just out of habit. In general, people with fine, straight hair need to wash more often than people with thick, curly or wavy hair.
If you have dry hair, you should only wash it every third day. If your hair is more oil prone, try washing it every other day, but if it looks really oily after just 1 day, you can wash it every day. You can also use dry shampoo between washes to help soak up some of the oil.
If you have normal hair (not super dry and not super oily) you should wash your hair every other day or every 3 days. There is no perfect formula for how much you should wash your hair. Just monitor your hair and wash it when you feel it’s getting dirty. Washing it too much will prevent the natural oils from restoring in your hair, which can damage your hair.
3. Avoid washing hair with hot water
Hot water can actually strip your hair of protective oils that serve as a natural conditioner. By washing hair with lukewarm water, you will prevent losing any natural shine from your hair and will avoid dull hair.
4. Use a comb when your hair is wet
After you get out of the shower, it can be tempting to run a brush through your hair because it’s a fast way to get rid of tangles. However, a wide-tooth comb is the best way to remove any knots post-showering. A brush often snags and pulls your hair, causing it to break and become damaged, so use a comb and start at the bottom of your hair, working your way up.
5. Let your hair air dry
Blow dryers are a fast way to dry your hair, but the heat from the dryer can damage your hair follicles, leading to dry, damaged hair. Allow your hair to air dry when possible, but if you need to use a blow dryer stick to one that allows for a cooler setting.
6. Trim your hair regularly
Hair is prone to split ends, and if you go long periods of time without cutting your hair, it can look damaged and unhealthy. Try to give your hair a trim every 3 months or so, and if you are really prone to split ends, trim your hair every 6 weeks.
If visiting a salon frequently is too much trouble or too expensive, trim your hair yourself. Invest in scissors for your hair and use a mirror that allows you to see the back of your head. It’s easiest to trim your hair when it is wet or straight so that you can get even ends.
If your hair is curly, it’s best to trim it when it’s dry or only slightly wet. Curly hair looks much longer when it’s wet, so it may dry shorter than you expected.
7. Avoid messing with your hair constantly
Because your hair already has natural oils, and so do your hands, constantly touching your hair or moving it out of your face can increase those oils in your hair, making it look greasy. To avoid this, the best option is to get a haircut that is manageable and won’t bother you throughout the day.
