Contrary to popular belief, great hair doesn’t always boil down to genetics. You can be blessed with amazing hair genes and still end up with lousy-looking hair if you aren’t giving it the TLC it deserves. The truth is, your daily habits and choice of hair care products play equally big roles in the health of your tresses. That’s why, ideally, you should be following a simple hair care routine that promotes strong, healthy strands. But how do you create such a hair care regimen? And how do you know which products are best for your hair? Ahead, a few simple tips on creating a healthy hair regimen that promises to give you your best head of hair yet.
First Things First — Know Your Hair Type
Hair routines generally work best when they’re tailored to your hair’s unique needs. For this reason, it’s important to get to know your curl pattern, which is primarily determined by the shape of your hair follicle.
The four main types of curl patterns include:
- Straight
- Wavy
- Curly
- Coily
Knowing your hair type will help you choose the right products for your hair and map out a regimen that makes your tresses happy and healthy. Some products, such as all-natural shampoo bars, work great for all hair types, while others are designed specifically to target problems associated with a particular hair type. Experiment with different products and build a personalized routine that works for you!
Hair Care Essentials: 4 Steps to a Healthy Hair Regimen
Ready to start taking better care of your one-of-a-kind mane? Consider this your starting point for creating a healthy hair regimen.
1. Cleanse
Cleansing is the first and most essential step in any good hair care regimen. The goal of this step is to gently lift dirt, oil and grime from the scalp without stripping away its natural oils, which are important for maintaining scalp and hair health.
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Chances are, you haven’t thought much about your hair washing technique in years. But as it turns out, there’s a little more to it than lather, rinse and repeat. Keep these tips in mind as you wash your hair:
- Choose a gentle shampoo.Most of the shampoos you see on grocery store shelves are chock-full of sulfates, parabens, phthalates and other harmful ingredients that you don’t want anywhere near your scalp. For a gentler cleanse, try a shampoo bar, which is more likely to contain natural, non-toxic ingredients that won’t irritate your scalp. Plus, they’re plastic-free and travel-friendly!
- Don’t wash your hair every day.Washing your hair every day may not give your scalp enough time to replenish its natural oils, causing dry hair and an irritated scalp in the long run. You can space out the time between washes by using a natural dry shampoo to keep oily roots under control.
- Avoid hard water.Hard water is full of minerals like calcium and magnesium that can build up on your hair, creating a thin film that blocks moisture and dries out your strands. To avoid hard water damage to your hair, consider installing a water softener shower head.
2. Condition
Do you ever wonder what makes some people’s hair look so shiny and soft? The secret lies in a high-quality conditioner. Conditioning is a post-shampoo step that improves the texture and appearance of your hair, making it softer, shinier and easier to manage. If your hair is bone-dry, a conditioner will be your new best friend!
- Go silicone-free. Silicones are a popular ingredient in conditioner because they make hair super soft and shiny. Unfortunately, they can also build up on the scalp, weighing curls down and preventing nutrients from entering the hair shaft. If you prefer to avoid them in your hair care routine, opt for a silicone-free conditioner bar that uses natural ingredients to soften and moisturize hair without weighing it down.
- Don’t apply conditioner to the roots. The roots of the hair near the scalp are already well-moisturized, courtesy of your scalp’s sebaceous glands, so there’s no need to apply conditioner from root to tip. Instead, apply the product to the ends of your hair, which are more likely to need the extra moisture.
- Leave it on for at least three minutes. Most conditioners should be left on your hair for at least a few minutes to work their magic. To save time and water, consider washing and conditioning your hair first. That way, you can do the rest of your shower routine while you wait.
3. Hair Treatments
If you have dry or damaged hair that needs a little extra TLC, consider adding a hair treatment to your routine. Deep conditioner treatments can help replace moisture and vital proteins to the hair, essentially acting like a turbo boost for your strands. If you don’t want to spend money on yet another hair care product, consider making a homemade deep conditioner treatment using ingredients you already have in your pantry, such as olive oil and honey.
There are also an array of scalp treatments that promise to unclog hair follicles, stimulate hair growth and help with problems like eczema and psoriasis. As with DIY deep conditioning treatments, there are plenty of recipes for at-home scalp treatments you can try.
4. Styling/Drying
While some people are blessed with hair that dries perfectly without the need for products or heat styling tools, most of us need a little extra help with our tresses. Unfortunately, many styling methods can be tough on hair. To avoid unnecessary damage, keep these styling tips in mind:
- Opt for products that tame frizz while enhancing your hair’s natural curl pattern. For example, if you have curly hair, you might use products such as gels and styling sprays to help keep your curls intact.
- Use a diffuser attachment to prevent your blow dryer from roughening up the hair cuticle.
- If you must use heat styling tools, coat your strands with a heat protectant spray beforehand.
- Wet hair is prone to breakage, so be extra careful with it right out of the shower.
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Give It Time
Although it’s possible to see an immediate difference in the appearance of your hair, keep in mind that most hair care products don’t produce results overnight. You need to give new hair care products enough time to work their magic. If you don’t see improvement within a month, switch things up and continue experimenting until you find a hair care regimen that works for you.