Tips for Maintaining Healthy Hair

If you want to keep your hair healthy and strong, you must familiarize yourself with your hair type. Once you've got this down, check out the tips below for how to keep your hair looking as good as ever, depending on your hair type.

Oily Hair

Our scalps naturally produce sebum, which is a natural oil. The purpose of sebum is to protect and moisturize your scalp and hair while keeping it as healthy as can be. However, if too much sebum is produced, this could be an issue. Too much sebum could lead to an oily scalp and oily hair. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, people with oily hair should wash their hair more frequently than those who don't have oily hair.

Another tip for those with oily hair is to condition only the ends of your hair. Conditioners can make your hair look greasy, so it is important to get a full rinse.

Ensure that you are shampooing and conditioning with products formulated for your hair type, and if you use any additional products, make sure those are appropriate for oily hair.

Cleaning your brush after every use could also help rid some excess oil buildup on the hair.

Keeping in mind helpful products that can be used for oily hair is just as important. According to Healthline, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and tea tree oil are great for those with oily hair. Using coconut oil to deep condition your hair can help provide the hydration you lack while removing any additional oil from the roots and scalp. Apple cider vinegar can help remove product buildup, balance scalp pH, and reduce frizz; tea tree oil will help to improve greasiness.

Dry Hair

There are various reasons for dry hair — excess washing, bleaching or coloring your hair, using the wrong products, excess heat use, etc. When your hair is dry, there is a lack of moisture.

According to Medical News Today, some tips to help with dry hair would be to use hot oils, egg and mayonnaise mixtures, beer, coconut oil masks, gelatin, avocado paste, yogurt, oil masks, and bananas on your hair. Each ingredient will help to moisturize, strengthen, smooth, and nourish the hair to make it less dry and more healthy.

In addition to using moisturizing ingredients, you must use the correct types of products in your hair. Avoid products that will over-dry your hair, and invest in products that will provide moisture and hydration.

Washing your hair with cold water rather than warm or hot water is ideal for dry hair, and it does not need to be washed as often as oily hair does.

Damaged Hair

If you notice split ends, dry hair, breakage, or tangling, you probably have damaged hair.

There are many causes for damaged hair, whether that is from bleaching, coloring, or using way too much heat on your hair.

If you are tired of damaged hair and need a few tips on how to make your hair more healthy, you're not alone.

According to Loreal Paris, washing in lukewarm water (98-105 degrees Fahrenheit) with shampoo and conditioner for damaged hair is suggested. Using a deep conditioner on your hair can also be beneficial, as it hydrates and moisturizes the hair. After using these products, brushing with a wide-tooth comb is recommended.

If you will be using heat on your hair, it is best to avoid direct heat. This doesn't mean to completely avoid it, just limit your usage and always use heat protectant. If you'd like to try heatless hairstyles, this is another option.

If none of these tips work well for you, you might just need a haircut. Starting fresh and removing any split ends could help to begin your healthy hair journey.

Curly Hair

There are many tips recommended for those who have curly hair. According to The American Academy of Dermatology Association, those who have curly hair should wash as needed to prevent dry and frizzy hair. If you have thick hair, washing in sections for at least two to three weeks is recommended to maintain healthy hair and a healthy scalp.

Another tip for healthy curls is to keep your hair moisturized and use the correct products for your hair type. Conditioning your entire head will help provide hydration, and if you'd like to have extra moisture, you could apply products such as leave-in conditioners or oils. Investing in products formulated with argan oil, glycerin, and fatty alcohols could be beneficial for curly hair.

When it comes to brushing curly hair, detangle after each wash. Sectioning the hair into numerous parts and brushing through with a comb or brush that works best could help make the process easier. Leave-in conditioners might be helpful as well.