Keeping your hair healthy is easy, but you need to know how to care for it. Hair is made up of proteins, so it is essential for healthy hair to eat right and wash your hair on time. If you want to improve the condition of your hair, learn how to wash it properly and use conditioner. Then learn how to dry and style your hair in a healthy way. In addition, you will need to make some lifestyle changes that will help strengthen your hair.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: How to wash your hair
Step 1. Wash your hair less often and use a quality shampoo
If you wash your hair too often, it will dry out and lose its natural lubrication (sebum), which is harmful to your condition. Try to wash your hair no more often than every other day, or only twice a week.
Step 2. Use shampoos without sulfates and parabens
Sulfates are chemicals that create foam. Parabens are preservatives that can cause irritation and eye problems with prolonged use. Both types of substances are harmful to hair and the environment, so try to use more natural products.
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Choose a shampoo based on your hair type. Don't buy the first shampoo you come across. Find the right product for your hair type. There are several types of hair, including the following:
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Curly or afro.
Anti-frizz moisturizing shampoos are suitable for such hair. These shampoos contain natural oils and have a creamy texture.
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Direct or fatty.
Shampoo for daily use is suitable for such hair.
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Painted or chemically processed.
Such hair requires a shampoo that contains extracts and amino acids, since chemical treatment of the hair significantly weakens the hair.
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Dry.
Dry hair needs a glycerin and collagen shampoo to restore moisture.
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Step 3. Use products with a high protein content with care
Excess protein can make hair very dry and brittle. Although protein is essential for healthy hair, it is best not to use high-protein conditioners.
Step 4. Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar once a month
This will make your hair shinier and cleaner. Plus, vinegar can help get rid of dandruff. Dilute 1 part apple cider vinegar in 3 parts warm water, rinse your hair with this solution, and then wash your hair as usual.
Vinegar has a strong smell, but it will go away when you shampoo your hair
Method 2 of 5: How to use the conditioner
Step 1. Use a conditioner appropriate for your hair type, hair length and condition
It is recommended to use conditioner every time you wash your hair, although chemically treated and colored hair needs more attention.
Use a deep moisturizer once a week. If you have African hair, use a deep moisturizing conditioner every time you wash. You can buy a ready-made product or make it yourself. Deep moisturizing is good for hair. It keeps hair healthy, soft and moisturized. Keep the product on your hair for 15-30 minutes
Step 2. Moisturize your hair according to your hair type
- Thin hair. If you have weak, fine hair, try applying a herbal oil product to it before washing your hair. You can use lavender or tea tree oil. Rub the oil into the roots before shampooing. Shampoo your hair and apply conditioner from mid-length to ends. Leave it on for a minute and wash off.
- Average and dense hair. Use a conditioner with natural moisturizers. The air conditioner should not be too tight. Apply a small amount all over the head and leave it on for 2-3 minutes. If you have African hair, leave the conditioner on for 10-15 minutes or leave it alone.
Step 3. Moisturize your hair
Use five oils: almond, castor, olive, coconut, and lavender. Mix five oils in equal parts. You can use egg oil instead of this mixture. Apply the product to your hair and leave it on for 4 hours, then wash your hair as usual. Repeat the procedure twice a week.
Method 3 of 5: How to dry your hair
Step 1. Separate tangled hair with a wide-toothed comb before drying
Wet hair is vulnerable and prone to breakage, so brushing your hair while wet is not a good idea. Apply a leave-in conditioner to hair and separate tangles with a comb. This will remove the knots without damaging your hair.
- You can also part your hair with your fingers.
- Part hair from ends to roots. Do not try to run the comb from roots to ends if the hair is tangled at the ends.
- If you have African hair, apply a fair amount of conditioner to your hair before detangling tangles. Part your hair in small sections.
Step 2. Dry your hair with a microfiber towel or undershirt instead of a regular towel
After getting out of the shower, wrap your hair in a cotton tank top. Towels are made from a coarse fabric that can injure hair, cause frizz and lead to split ends. If you prefer to wrap your hair in a towel, use a microfiber towel - it's not as stiff.
You can even buy a special microfiber hair shawl. It can be used as a towel and as a shawl to keep hair from falling over your eyes while your hair dries
Step 3. Try to dry your hair naturally as often as possible
This is the healthiest way to dry your hair. It may take longer to dry, but it will be better for the health of the hair in general.
- Don't use a hair dryer if you don't need one for styling. Hot air can injure hair.
- If you wash your hair at night, bun your hair before bed and do not blow dry. Hair will be dry by morning. This method will not work for you if you have very thick or long hair.
Step 4. Use warm air mode if you need to dry your hair quickly
You may not be able to skip a hair dryer because you need it to style or dry your hair quickly. In this case, use warm air, not hot air. Hair will take longer to dry, but less damage to the hair.
Always apply a heat protectant to your hair before blow drying. This will protect the hair from damage
Method 4 of 5: How to style your hair
Step 1. Don't brush your hair too often
Brushing stimulates the follicles and accelerates hair growth, but combing too often can cause frizz and splits.
Step 2. Apply anti-frizz to smooth hair as needed
Anti-frizz serums help smooth frizzy hair. A small amount about a pea is enough. If this is not enough, add more, but no more than twice.
- Don't use too much product - too much serum will dull your hair.
- Wash your hair once a week with a sulfate-free cleansing shampoo to remove any leftovers that can leave hair looking dirty and lifeless.
Step 3. Style your hair naturally to minimize styling damage
Styling by itself will not do much harm to your hair, but if you repeat it several times a week, your hair may suffer.
- If possible, do not perm, crimp, straighten, curl, bleach or dye your hair too often. You can straighten your hair once a week before a party, but you shouldn't do it every day.
- Do not use non-sheathed elastic bands for styling your hair. Non-sheathed elastic bands trap hair, making it easy to pull out by the roots.
- Try not to do too tight hairstyles. Dense African braids and tight tails injure the hair at the base and overload the follicles.
- Try pulling your hair up. A simple ponytail or bun looks elegant and doesn't require a lot of hair products. You can wear your hair loose or tied it up with a hoop.
Step 4. Dye and treat your hair chemically rarely, or even better, give up these procedures
Hair coloring and other treatments are harmful to hair. People with natural hair are less likely to experience the problem of dry, damaged and lifeless hair.
If you dye your hair, try to do it less often. Take a break and let your hair recover. You will notice that their condition will improve markedly
Step 5. Trim the ends regularly
You can cut off the split ends yourself. Take a sharp pair of scissors and cut the hair 5 millimeters above the split area. Trimming the ends every 6 to 8 weeks by yourself or at a hairdresser can help prevent splitting.
Method 5 of 5: Caring for your health
1 Eat right. Eat foods rich in vitamins. Since hair is made up of proteins, it is important to include more lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables in your diet. Proper nutrition will improve the appearance and condition of your hair.
Don't expect results instantly. Nutrition will not change the condition of the hair that has already grown, but it will affect the quality of the growing hair
Step 2. Drink plenty of fluids
Drink at least 8 glasses of water and other liquids daily to stay hydrated. Eat high-liquid soups, fruits, and vegetables. All of these will be beneficial for the health of the body and hair.
- Drinking water is best, but tea, juice, and other drinks will work as well.
- Drink plenty of water if you move a lot.
Step 3. Get rid of stress
Physical and psychological stress affects the condition of the hair. Stress causes hair loss, so try to deal with stress. Look for a way to get rid of negative emotions: do yoga, ride a bike, meditate, exercise.
Advice
- Do not blow-dry your hair too often. Frequent use of hair dryers and other hot styling tools can damage your hair.
- Rinse your hair with cold water after applying shampoo and conditioner. This will create a smooth and shiny finish.
- If you are towel drying your hair, do not rub it too hard - this may cause splitting of your hair. Use a microfiber towel as this fabric absorbs a lot of moisture.
- If you have to use hot styling tools, apply a heat protectant to your hair.
- Do not go to bed with damp or wet hair. This will weaken the hair and make it brittle.
- Dry the roots with a hair dryer on low power before bed.
- Take biotin daily. This supplement strengthens hair and nails.
- Do not wash your hair with hot water - this is harmful to your hair.
- Don't wear too tight hairstyles as this can lead to hair loss.
- Apply aloe vera to your hair for an hour before washing your hair. This will leave your hair looking healthy, smooth and shiny.
- If you have wavy hair and want to straighten it a bit, use non-water based oils and creams. Water can cause wavy hair to curl even more.
- Do not brush through wet hair. While the hair is wet, it is more vulnerable to damage.
- Do not use more than one hair spray per day. Excessive products can weaken hair.
Warnings
- Protect hair from excessive sun exposure and dust.
- If you handle curling irons and irons carelessly, you can get severe burns. Be extremely careful when working with these devices.
- See your doctor if hair begins to fall out.