Your hair is an important part of your appearance, and you’ll probably want to take steps to keep it healthy and full as you age. In order to do that, it’s crucial to practice some basic hair care habits every day. Here are 8 simple tips on how to grow and care for your hair so that you can look and feel your best over the long-term.
1) Shampoo when you don’t need to
It may seem counterintuitive, but it’s best to shampoo your hair on days when you don’t need to. This is called a lazy girl deep conditioner, and here’s how it works: shampoo as normal, thoroughly rinse and then put coconut oil on the top two inches of your head before putting a plastic shower cap over the area. Let the coconut oil sit for at least 20 minutes before rinsing out and patting dry.
2) Shampoo often means hair loss
Squeaky clean hair does not always translate to healthy hair. Frequent shampooing can actually cause excessive hair loss due to the over-stripping of natural oils from the scalp. Instead, shampoo every 3-4 weeks or only after exercise or a prolonged period of sweating as sweat is rich in natural oils that contribute to healthy strands. If you want your tresses looking extra shiny and glossy, use a deep conditioner or an apple cider vinegar rinse once a month!
3) Condition, condition, condition
1. Use a leave-in conditioner like one with rosemary extract for frizzy hair and normalizing, softening and conditioning properties for dry hair. 2. Wash your hair every 3-4 weeks. Dry shampoo is an amazing alternative to using shampoo as often because it gives your scalp a break from all the chemicals, but do not use this in place of regular washes! 3. Implement protective styles while you are trying to grow out your natural hair, especially if you have 4c hair.
4) Moisturize even if you think it’s unnecessary
Lots of people think they don’t need to moisturize because their hair is short, curly, or fine, but it’s important to moisturize no matter the length or texture. In fact, you may even want to moisturize every day because natural hair can get dry very quickly in certain environments and we don’t always think about our daily activities like washing dishes or sweating that might cause more moisture loss.
5) Sleep on a satin pillowcase
Try wearing a hair protective style like braids or twists while you sleep to avoid breakage. Choose a low-manipulation style that is fast to do in the morning and doesn't take too much time. Don't forget to care for your curls! Be sure to regularly moisturize, deep condition, and try conditioning treatments to help with curl definition. Remember that curly hair often means 4c hair, which means it will be more prone to dryness than other curl types.
6) Don’t brush wet hair
Brushing your hair after showering is a time-honored tradition, but if you have naturally curly or kinky hair, brushing wet hair can result in breakage. While it is important to comb out the tangles in wet hair, the best practice is to use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb (not brush) to gently pull out the knots. Once your locks are tangle-free, apply a leave-in conditioner and comb through using gentle strokes with a wide tooth comb.
7) Wash your hair as little as possible (dry shampoo only!)
The less often you wash your hair, the healthier it is. Be sure to use a dry shampoo in-between washings and be careful with hair styling products so that you don't end up washing your hair as often. If you still feel the need to wash your hair weekly, try using a mild natural shampoo without any harsh chemicals.
8) Try out some new styles!
To keep your hair healthy, you should do daily hair care as well as try out some protective styles. Below are some great tips on how to get the most out of your beauty routine!
-Do not use any harsh products in your hair. There are plenty of gentler ingredients out there that will keep your locks intact and looking fabulous. -Make sure you brush through your locks while they are wet to prevent damage. -Wash your hair every day if it is oily or more than once a week if it is dry.
-Use a heat protectant when blow drying or using a flat iron to avoid damaging your hair from high heat.
-Protect your scalp from sun exposure by wearing a hat or head scarf during sunny days or when you know that sun exposure is unavoidable.