We all want to have gorgeous, healthy and shiny hair. But to be able to achieve this, you need a personalized hair care routine. How you take care of your hair every day will have benefits (or conversely, consequences). It’s not enough that you shampoo your hair a few times a week and apply a good quality conditioner. Even going to Avid Salon or Hair Cuttery every 1-2 months is not enough either.
Choosing a Hair Care Routine for You
There are 4 basic elements in a hair-care routine:
- Cleansing
- Conditioning
- Styling
- Air-drying
The number of steps as well as the techniques to follow for each element is dependent on hair type: thick, fine, or baseline.
Cleansing – Cleansing is focused on the scalp – you need to completely clean it and get rid of any buildup. For fine hair, lather up past the neck. For thicker hair, you need to wet hair and comb it out. When applying shampoo use a hydrating product and apply it in sections.
Conditioning – After cleansing your hair, you need to apply conditioner. For fine hair, apply conditioner starting at the ends and working your way to the tips. Don’t apply conditioner on the roots. For thicker hair, you need to use a deep conditioner. For baseline hair, use the dryness level of your hair as guide on whether to use more or less conditioner.
Styling – If you use hot styling tools be sure to use heat protectants. Go for the lowest heat possible.
Air-drying – If you air-dry your hair, use heavier products like thick creams and oil-infused gels to lock in moisture if you have thick hair. For fine hair go for a mousse to add texture. Apply this before you air-dry your hair otherwise, you’ll end up with frizzy hair.
Keeping Your Hair Healthy with a Hair Care Routine
Your hair’s texture should dictate your hair routine. Here are some general tips and guidelines to achieve or maintain healthy hair.
1. Be proactive.
Don’t wait until you see something “wrong” with your hair before taking action. Treat your hair routine as a habit so you’ll have more good hair days than bad ones.
2. Use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair.
Whether your hair is thin or thick, the detangling struggle is real. Use a wide tooth comb to detangle hair especially wet hair so it does not tug or pull.
3. Sleep in a loose braid or satin bonnet.
You can do damage to your hair while you sleep. Don’t sleep in a ponytail as it can break the hair at the crown or in the area where you place the elastic band. Instead, sleep in a loose braid or in a satin bonnet to keep hair off the face, if that’s what you’re trying to achieve.
4. Get trims regularly.
Even if you’re trying to make your hair longer, regular trims is a must. Split ends and breakage are common. These need to be cut so you’ll have healthier hair.
5. Apply shampoo 1-2x a week only.
Shampooing everyday can be harmful to the hair. If your hair gets oily, use dry shampoo instead.
6. Use heat styling tools on dry hair.
Using heated tools on wet hair fries the hair and can cause major damage. Also, don’t use these tools daily. Keep it to 1-2x a week only and be sure to apply a heat protectant.
7. When detangling, start at the ends.
If you start at the root, you will end up causing hair breakage. Remove the tangles at the ends first and work your way up.
8. Apply just the right amount of product.
When using dry shampoo, keep it to no more than twice a week. Any more than this will dehydrate the hair. In line with this, you should also know how to apply products. For example, if using hairspray, you need to shake the bottle well before use and then extend your arm about 8 inches away from your hair before spraying.
9. Be gentle with your hair.
This is especially true when your hair is wet, since it is at its most sensitive. Dry your hair gently using a towel, wringing the hair out and move your way from the root to the tips. If you notice your hair looks dull or limp, deep condition it more frequently until it gets stronger and healthier.
Here’s the correct way to dry your hair: