5 Hair Care Tips for Healthy Hair

Having healthy hair starts at the scalp. To prevent oil build up, use a dandruff-fighting shampoo and rinse it with apple cider vinegar once a week.

Skip hot water showers because they can strip your hair of its protective oils and make it brittle. Try washing your hair with lukewarm or cool water instead.

1. Use a deep conditioner once a week

A regular conditioner works to soften hair, minimize frizz and smooth your cuticles. But a deep conditioner takes it one step further, restoring your hair’s natural oils and improving texture and elasticity. This is especially beneficial for damaged and brittle hair.

To use a deep conditioner, apply the product to wet hair and leave it on for up to an hour. Then rinse it with cool water to close the hair’s cuticles and lock in the moisture.

While it’s important to deep condition your hair regularly, be careful not to over-condition. Over-conditioning can lead to a build-up of product and a loss of natural hair oils. Also, focus on the ends of your hair, since these are the areas that tend to get driest.

2. Give your hair extra body with a volumizer spray

If you have fine, thin hair or pin-straight locks that are easily weighed down by heavy products, a volumizer spray is essential to your hair care routine. This spray lifts your roots to create a full, airy look that looks and feels natural.

To use, spray a few pumps of the volumizing mist on damp hair, focus on the roots, backcomb and blow dry. For a more subtle effect, you can also lightly spritz the spray on dry hair and run your fingers through it for added texture and volume.

To boost volume even more, try using a volumizing shampoo and conditioner in the shower and switching to lightweight styling products for your hair afterward. For example, this mousse contains lightweight moisturizers and polymers to keep your strands looking thicker.

3. Don’t over-wash your hair

It’s essential to tailor your hair care routine to suit your specific needs, but there are some basics that all women should keep in mind. According to experts, washing your hair too frequently can cause damage, especially if you have fine or thin strands.

In addition, washing your hair too often can strip it of its natural oils, which can leave your strands feeling dry and brittle. According to a trichologist and hair expert who works with celebrities like Amandla Stenberg and Lupita Nyong’o, it’s important to wash your hair every other day or even every third day.

If you notice your strands are getting greasy before the next wash, try using dry shampoo to soak up excess oil and reduce the amount you need to wash.

4. Don’t over-dry your hair

It can be tempting to wash your hair as often as possible, but over-washing your locks strips them of their natural oils. Try to only wash your hair every other day or every three days, and use a dry shampoo in between washes. This will soak up any excess oil and keep your hair looking fresh.

Be careful when towel drying your hair – rubbing too vigorously can cause friction that will break your locks. Instead, gently pat your hair with a soft microfiber towel to help absorb moisture.

You can also add moisture to your locks by applying a hot oil treatment on a weekly basis. Simply apply a luxurious treatment oil formula with ingredients like gardenia or coconut to your dry hair, and leave it in for 20-30 minutes to moisturize and restore the look of your hair.

5. Don’t over-blow dry your hair

It’s tempting to blast your strands with the heat-seeking blow dryer as soon as you exit the shower, but doing so will rob your hair of its natural bounce and make it feel dry, rigid and brittle. Try to wash your hair less often (every other day or every third day is ideal) and use a texturizing spray to keep it looking shiny, bouncy and hydrated.

Also, avoid rough drying your strands with a towel after the shower; doing so can roughen up your delicate cuticles and leave you with dull and limp locks. Towel-dry your strands gently by pressing your hair down into a microfiber towel instead of rubbing it. This will prevent breakage and prevent frizz. To finish, spritz your strands with a light-hold hairspray.