Hey there: My posts may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a dime more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep this place running. Lastly, I will NEVER recommend a product I have not used or would not use. Believe that!

No matter what rumors you may have heard, hair care is not as simple as choosing a favorite shampoo (or the occasional deep conditioner) and rolling with it. There is a lot more to it than just that. Now that your go-to salon may be out of business or so booked beyond belief, you may need to take care of your hair on your own. 

Why should you take care of your hair?

There are several reasons you need to take care of your hair. One of the main reasons is that if you don’t, you are harming the growth of your hair - after a certain point, your hair may just stop growing and start breaking off. 

Not taking appropriate care of your hair may also cause ingrown hair. If your hair is not washed for a long time, dirt and pollutants will accumulate, clogging the pores on your scalp. This will subsequently cause ingrown hair. 

You may also need to pay special attention to the products you are using. Using inappropriate products may cause increased itching and hair falling out. That said, hair care does not only rely on the products - it is equally important to eat healthily, avoid excessive heat styling, and take care of yourself!

Here is a guide consisting of ten tips, along with some concluding advice on how to care for and maintain healthy hair!

How can you maintain healthy hair?

Tip 1: Use lukewarm water 

Scalding hot water seems like the perfect remedy for a cold winter day. However, few things may be more detrimental to your hair than hot water. The reason for that is, it removes all essential oils from your hair, increasing both the dryness along with the dullness of your hair. Lukewarm water is the perfect temperature for cleansing your hair. 

Tip 2: Shampoo your scalp 

A way to use a shampoo correctly is to apply it on your scalp only, instead of to the ends. But seriously, who wants to do that? Washing the entire length of your hair roughly. not only weakens it but also dulls the shine of the strands. When using shampoo, make sure you concentrate it on your scalp. 

Tip 3: Condition your strands 

In contrast to shampoos, conditioners are built to be used on the length and tips of your hair. You do not need to apply conditioner to your entire head (however, I do) - instead, it should be concentrated on specific areas. If you do condition at the roots, it may weigh your hair down. Using a wide-tooth comb can help evenly disperse the conditioner and prevent tangles. 

Tip 4: Don’t use a regular towel for drying 

After you’ve thoroughly rinsed out your hair, your next move may be to reach for a bath towel to dry off your hair. While it does seem like the most obvious option, it is far from the best! First, remove the excess water by wringing out your hair a bit, and then dry them off using an old cotton shirt or this type of towel. This will be much gentler than a bath towel and prevent extra damage and unwanted frizz. 

Tip 5: Protect your hair before styling 

Although the best way to maintain healthy hair is to give up heat styling completely, it seems unreasonable to do. Instead, what you can do is protect your hair before styling. You can do this by applying a heat protectant before blow-drying, curling, or straightening your hair. This one is a multi-use and my favorite.

Tip 6: Heat style dry hair only 

One of the biggest mistakes many people make is curling or straightening wet hair. The result? Their hair gets burnt or fizzles away as if evaporated and becomes a frizzy mess. The last thing you want is burnt hair before a party or event. Whether air-drying or blow-drying, make sure your hair is completely dry before any kind of styling. 

Tip 7: Switch around your hair parting 

Having the same hair part for months on end can give your hair a flat look that few people desire. To give more volume to your hair, try switching up your part. Not only will this give your hair a fuller look, but your roots will have some relaxation as well. 

 Tip 8: Loosen up your hair 

As tempting as it is to keep your hair in a ponytail throughout the entirety of summers, it is harmful to keep it up all the time, even with those hair ties that say that are snag-free. (the lies!) Although it is convenient, putting up your hair puts too much strain on your locks for it to be healthy. Try wearing your hair down more - or, at the least, tying loose ponytails or braids to give your hair a much-needed rest!

Tip 9: Trim your split ends 

You don’t need a fancy haircut every time you go to the salon. No matter how much you may care for your hair, split ends are sometimes an inevitable consequence. Instead of using hairspray to lock them into place, the better method is to snip them off. This is because that hair is already dead - there’s no saving it. And no, there is no product that will repair split ends. The products will smooth them, but never repair them. Don’t believe the marketing hype!

Tip 10: Care for your scalp

As with the rest of your body, your scalp needs care as well. Like any other skin, you need to exfoliate your scalp regularly. The routine buildup of oil and dead skin cells leaves your scalp more unhealthy than most parts of your body. Make sure you use an exfoliating scrub made for your scalp at least twice a month to care for it!

Some things to keep in mind...

Haircare doesn’t necessarily involve fancy products. Some of the things that affect your hair have nothing to do with the products. Make sure you are eating a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and not overworking or stressing yourself out. All these things (along with products) can lead to unhealthy hair. 

It is crucial to remind yourself to keep things as natural as possible. Air dry your hair, use natural oils and hair care products, eat healthy food rather than relying on supplements - it’s all in the little things! By keeping these tips in mind next time you think about your hair, you will undoubtedly take your first step in maintaining healthier hair!

The Ordinary Snob, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Amazon, the Amazon Logo, AmazonSupply and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com,Inc. or its affiliates.

Sharing is caring!