Daily Hair Care Routine Tips

Overview | How to wash hair | How to condition hair | How to brush hair | How to promote hair growth

Johns Hopkins Medicine informs that on average we have about 100,000 hairs on the scalp, and we lose 50 to 100 of them each day. But what happens when you start losing more?  

Hair loss and thinning are two conditions that almost all of us face at one point in our lives. From hormonal changes and aging to an underlying condition, hair fall can be triggered by a lot of different reasons. Apart from losing hair, there are many other hair-related issues that people face, such as loss of shine, hair breakage, and deterioration of hair health. 

So, what is the solution? I believe that we all should take good care of our hair at home. In this article, I will offer you hair care tips that you can easily follow to maintain healthy, shiny, and long hair.

How should you wash your hair?

• Washing your hair thoroughly every day is essential to keep it clean and healthy. It will be even better if you can repeat it twice a week
• Using hot water can damage hair cells; even warm water can have the same effect on your hair. Always wash your hair using cold water
• Never apply shampoo to the ends of your locks. Use it on the rest of your hair and on your scalp to keep them clean and well-nourished
• No one shampoo is suitable for every type of hair. When choosing a shampoo, make sure it is suitable for your hair and addresses the hair-related issues that you have
• The shampoo must not have acidic contents and harmful chemicals. Choose a mild one with good pH balance
• Always choose a SLS-free and SLES-free shampoo
• While cleaning your scalp thoroughly during a hair wash is important, do not scratch it as that can cause an adverse effect
• Over-scrubbing the scalp can result in drying of hair, which in turn can lead to excessive oil production and can leave the scalp irritated and sensitive
• Use enough shampoo to cover your entire hair length, but never overdo it. Using too much of it can result in the washing off of necessary natural oils from the scalp
• The water in swimming pools have chlorine, which can harm your hair. Hence, it is vital to wash your hair after a swim
• Use of scalp scrubs, which contain sea salt of pink clay to help absorb dirt, odors, minerals, hard metals, toxins, and other harmful substances that can collect on your scalp. Using it once a week will help to remove the buildup of skin cells

How should you condition your hair?

• Choose a conditioner depending on the type of hair you have. The wrong product can cause more harm than good
• Do not use the conditioner on the scalp. It is made for the nourishment of your hair only
• Do not use the conditioner on wet hair. Use a towel to dry out your hair before applying the conditioning product
• A nourishing serum can benefit your hair significantly. Use it after conditioning, but make sure it is suitable for your hair type

How should you dry your hair after washing?

• Blow drying the hair after washing is harmful. Soak up the water properly with a towel and then let it dry out naturally
• Do not rub the hair too hard when using a towel on it
• A towel made of micro fibers is best. If you do not have one, use a cotton t-shirt instead
• For detangling your hair after it is dry, use a comb with wide teeth
• Just like blow dryers, straighteners are harmful for your hair. If you absolutely have to use them, do so as less as possible
• If using a blow dryer is necessary, ensure the heat setting is low
• Do not leave your home when your hair is still wet
• Avoid going to bed with damp or wet hair as that can harm it greatly

How should you brush your hair?

• Never brush your hair while it is still tangled, as that can lead to breakage. Use your fingers or a comb with wide teeth to detangle it first
• Too much brushing can lead to split ends and cause damage. It is healthy to brush it about four times every day, but not more than this
• When brushing your hair, start from the bottom and then brush towards the top. That is the best way to maintain your hair
• Uncleaned combs and brushes can cause more harm that good to your hair. Wash these tools regularly to keep them clean

How should you apply oil on your hair?

• Moisturizing your hair with a high-quality oil is necessary for its nourishment; but this only works when you use an oil that is right for your hair type. Also, you should oil the hair at night before bed and wash it off the next morning
• Massaging your hair with hot oil is one of the best ways to make it healthy. Leave it for 45 minutes before showering or washing your hair. Use this method twice a week for best result
• Having split ends is one of the worst things that can happen to your hair. Avoid them by applying olive oil on the end of the hair locks. Cold pressed almond oil or Argan oil works well, too.

How can you make your hair healthier and promote growth?

• Always cover your hair before stepping out into the sun, as direct exposure can cause harm. You can use a scarf or hat with a wide brim
• If you color your hair often, try out new styles, or cover up grey hair, it is time to minimize that. The chemical ingredients can damage the health of your hair
• While choosing the hair color, look for an ammonia free product 
• PPD hair colors are the best and safest for use 
• Vegetable hair color dyes are available for individuals who are sensitive to hair color 
• Avoid using Heena in your hair if the source is not verified. It tends to have more harmful chemicals in it
• When choosing haircare products, be careful about their ingredients. Avoid anything that contains too much protein or silicones as they cause a buildup on the hair shaft and can make it more fragile
• Natural haircare products work best for the hair as they do not contain any harmful ingredients 
• If styling your hair requires heating it, the best way to do so is to use a protective hair spray. It prevents the heat from causing any serious damage
• Cutting your hair at least every six months is necessary to keep split ends at bay. You do not have to cut it more than half an inch shorter if you do not wish
• If you tie your hair too tightly, it can lead to more hair fall. This practice creates more pressure on the roots and weakens them
• If you like any particular hairstyle that requires fixing the hair tightly with pins, make sure not to do it too often. Once in a while should be fine
• Simple hairstyles are best for maintaining the health of your hair. If keeping your hair open is not an option, try out hairbands or a pony tail
• Sleeping with your hair open is not a good idea as it leads to hair fall. Gently tie your hair before you go to bed
• When you are applying makeup on your face, be careful that none of it touches your hair. Keep your fingers away from the hair during makeup
• Running your fingers through the hair feels very comforting and cozy, but do not overdo this as it can lead to unnecessary hair fall
• It is necessary to wash your hair often if you sweat a lot. If you do not have the time, use baby powder on the scalp, as it reduces oiliness and makes a sweaty scalp less itchy
• The quality and texture of your pillow cover can determine how much of your hair sheds during the night. Use a cover made of soft materials such as silk or satin
• Maintaining a healthy diet is vital if you want healthy, strong hair. Ensure to eat fruits and vegetables containing vitamins and other necessary nutrients
• According to Stanford Health Care, one of the things that affect your hair significantly is stress. If you lead a stressful life, it will lead to more hair loss. Hence, you should be thoughtful about lowering stress to let your hair grow beautifully

What are some home remedies for healthy hair?

Harvard Health Publishing notes that hair fall can be of many kinds, ranging from thinning to baldness. If you want to protect your hair from that situation, using home remedies can help. Here are a few that I believe are quite effective:

• Avocado has the ability to make your hair smooth. You can apply a paste of olive oil and avocado on the hair
• Coconut milk works great as a conditioner. You can wash the hair with it after shampooing
• Green tea offers good nourishment for the hair. You can use tea-infused water to wash the hair
• Smoking is not only unhealthy for your internal organs but also your hair. If you want to maintain a head full of healthy hair, get rid of that smoking habit today

Closing thoughts

Taking good care of your hair daily is the most effective way to maintain its beauty, shine, density, and health. If you want to ensure that you do not want to wake up every morning with loose hair strands on your pillow, start maintaining your hair the right way today. The above tips will surely help, but you need to follow them with dedication. 

References

1. Johns Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hair-loss
2. Stanford Health Care: https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/skin-hair-and-nails/hair-loss/causes.html
3. Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/hair-loss-a-to-z