By Ashley Trinh
DISCLAIMER: It is important to research or take advice from professionals or people who have your hair type or struggles. For example, if your hair is curly, research products and watch reviews from people who have your type of curl pattern — or, if your scalp gets oily, don’t take product recommendations from someone who struggles with a dry scalp.
I have straight hair, and my scalp gets oily rather than dry. The hair maintenance advice I am sharing isn’t necessarily specific to any hair type; however, cosmetology is dependent on what suits your personal needs, so take this with a grain of salt.
When my mom finally let me dye my hair in my sophomore year, I cycled through approximately seven hair colors. Moreover, performances and competitions for dance require tight and uniform hairstyles, which can be incredibly damaging to your hair. Consequently, I became invested in hair care and spent much of my leisure time researching ways to maintain the health of my scalp and hair.
Here are five methods I implement into my haircare routine:
- Establish a wash routine
Everybody has a different lifestyle; thus, everybody will have a different wash routine. Your wash cycle doesn’t have to be consistent all the time. For example, when I knew that I had a special occasion the following day, I did not wash my hair beforehand because I knew that I would be washing my hair that day.
A general consensus is that you should wash your hair when it gets oily — which is true; however, an oily scalp can also signify that your scalp is dry. Washing your hair too often can be very drying to your scalp and can disrupt the microbiome in your hair. By spacing out the days you wash your hair, you can avoid scalp irritation and dandruff.
- Shampoo alternatives
If you exercise regularly or feel like shampoo can be too harsh for your scalp at times, you should opt for a hair rinse, a shampoo alternative that clarifies your hair without stripping or cleansing it to the extent that shampoo does. When I have practice or plans to exercise the day after washing my hair, using a hair rinse cleanses my hair without drying out my scalp and disrupting my wash routine.
- Heat protectant and hair masks
Whenever you curl, straighten, blow-dry or use any heat manipulation on your hair, you must use heat protectant.
Heat protectants are hair products with film-forming ingredients that coat your hair follicle with a protective barrier to mitigate damage from heat-exposure. They come in a variety of formulas such as oils, creams, or sprays.
Refusing to use heat protectant can lead to breakage, split-ends and a reduction of hair elasticity. There are many products that you can layer on your hair beforehand to prevent or reduce damage from heat exposure.
Additionally, there are hair masks that are infused with heat-resistant properties. Hair masks are like face masks for your hair. They are infused with nourishing and reparative ingredients, primarily used to improve the overall appearance and health of your hair.
Similar to skincare masks, there are a variety of hair masks that target different hair struggles or goals. Hair masks can help your hair look healthier and shinier, even if it is damaged.
- Clarifying shampoo
Consistently using any hair product, such as gels, creams, dry shampoo, or hair spray, can lead to product build-up, the accumulation of dirt and product residue on your hair and scalp. Consequently, your hair follicles become clogged, preventing your hair from fully absorbing any nourishing products or retaining moisture.
Product build-up may leave your hair feeling dull, irritated, or greasy, even after washing your hair. Other factors, including not rinsing shampoo out of your hair thoroughly or producing excess sebum can contribute to product build-up.
Even regular shampoos and conditioners are formulated with ingredients that make your hair look shiny and healthy in the short-term, but can eventually build up on your scalp and clog your hair follicles.
So, regular shampoo isn’t going to eliminate build-up, and your hair still needs a detox every now and then. Using clarifying shampoo once a week or once a month (depending on your own needs) can leave your hair feeling light and healthy again.
Clarifying shampoo — a type of shampoo formulated with stronger surfactants to provide a deeper cleanse — eliminates blockage caused by sebum, dirt, or other external contaminants.
- Trim or cut your hair regularly
You cannot repair split ends or mend your already damaged hair — a common misconception that many hair-product companies promote. To eliminate these split ends, you must cut them off and wait for new hair to grow in.
This can be frustrating, especially if your goal is to grow your hair out. You don’t always have to cut off so much hair, though — you can always ask for a dusting, a technique where your stylist or barber cuts off any dry and damaged ends without sacrificing your current length.
Takeaways
The key to having healthy hair is to have a healthy scalp and to take care of it before it gets damaged. Since hair damage is irreversible, it is imperative that you take preventative measures to ensure that your hair stays as healthy as possible. Although investing in too many hair-care products is financially impractical, implementing just one to two of these tips according to your hair struggles can exponentially improve the condition of your hair.
