For many, hair is an asset and an accessory, enhanced by the ability to change the color, style and length at anytime. However, the hair strands and follicles that make up your hair can be fragile, requiring regular care and maintenance to remain healthy. Developing a regular hygiene routine, and following a few tips on haircare, can help ensure that you will have strong and healthy hair for years to come.
Shampoo Frequency
Shampooing your hair is an important part of keeping it looking and feeling healthy. Your scalp produces a type of oil called sebum which can coat the strands of hair on your head. This oil can attract dirt and other substances, but is not easily removed by water alone. Shampoo contains surfactants which help force the oil and everything that is attached to it from the hair strand so that it can be washed down the drain. However, it's important not to wash your hair too much, as you could remove too much oil, leaving your hair overly dry. How much you shampoo is a careful balance that can vary from person to person. If your hair is feeling too dry, try shampooing every other day, or look for a moisturizing shampoo, or a shampoo specially formulated for dry hair.
Conditioner
Use a hair conditioner on a regular basis. Choose your conditioner based on the needs of your hair. For example, if your hair is dry, look for conditioners that contain humectants such as glycerol, which help relieve hair dryness. If your hair is thin and weak, try a conditioner with reconstruction proteins called hydrolyzed proteins which help strengthen your hair strands. Some conditioners may also have ingredients like lactic acid or behentrimonium chloride that balance the pH of your hair, or have detangling agents, such as panthenol or amodimethicone for those with tangle or frizz problems. Many conditioners state directly on the bottle what type of hair or hair problem they are beneficial for, so read the labels carefully and choose a conditioner based on your specific hair type or needs.
Heat
When possible, after getting your hair wet, try gently blotting your hair with a towel to dry, or consider using a lower heat setting on your hair dryer. It's important to avoid excessive heat when styling or drying your hair with appliances, such as hair dryers and hair straighteners. These methods expose your hair strands and follicles to high levels of heat which can end up damaging the hair strand and follicle. Avoiding them can help keep your hair healthy and minimize hair loss, states the Mayo Clinic.
Chemicals
Use temporary or demi-permanent hair coloring agents when coloring your hair, or opt for a natural dye, such as those containing henna. The Food and Drug Administration warns against hair dye as their continued use may result in hair loss. Traditional dyes contain ammonia or peroxide, which can damage your hair strands leaving them weak and easily breakable. Bleaching your hair can also have this effect.
Hair Styles
Certain hairstyles can contribute to problems with thinning hair and hair loss. Hairstyles that pull the hair tight from the follicles, such as ponytails or buns, can damage the growing mechanisms of your hair follicles. Avoiding these hairstyles may help you avoid problems with hair loss in the future, states the Mayo Clinic.
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