https://www.realsimple.

com/beauty-fashion/hair/hair-care/habits-of-people-with-healthy-hair

Get Regular Haircuts. Trim every six to eight weeks.

Go Natural as Often as You Can. Use the weekend to let your hair recuperate. If possible, let your hair
air-dry, avoid heated styling products, and keep it out of a ponytail or tight headband to avoid any
unnecessary pulling on the hair shaft.

Maintain a Healthy Diet.

"Protein is the building block of hair, because hair is keratinized protein. Another crucial nutrient is iron.
"It’s an energy source for the hair," Pullan says. "It’s a mineral the hair needs."

Deep Condition Every Week

Incorporate a deep conditioner into your weekly hair care routine for extra hydration. Deep-conditioning
masks

Wear Hats

“The sun oxidizes your hair and dries it out,” Pullan says. Hat protects your scalp from burning and hair
from dehydrating.

Don't Take Scalding Hot Showers

scalding hot water dries hair out . Bordone recommends lukewarm

9
Stop Touching Your Hair All the Time

Do your best to leave your hair alone.

10

Don't Over-Brush

Brushing your hair is a healthy habit (and you can’t show up to work with bedhead), but brushing more
than once a day is another form of traction that Bordone warns against. In fact, excess brushing
“stretches the hair and breaks weak ends. Brush once a day, and opt for a plastic brush. Bristle brushes
are particularly tough on hair, according to Pullan.

11

Swap Products With the Weather

It is true that certain hair products are better for different seasons. In the winter, your products should
be moisturizing and hydrating, says Bordone, but in the summer, you can probably switch to something
lighter that won't weigh hair down in the heat and humidity.

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/hair-care-routine#products-and-tools-vary

Cleanse

Cleansing is a balance between removing things like dead skin and product residue without stripping the
hair of its natural oils.

Without a good wash, sebum will build up, leaving unwanted oiliness.

So will dead skin if not removed. The skin renews itself around every 28 days, and this may be noticeable
if the hair is not clean.

And, if you’re an avid swimmer, you don’t want to leave chlorine on your locks. The longer it sits, the
more time it has to strip hair of its natural elements and cause damage.

Condition
Conditioners have myriad benefits. The main one is moisturizing, but others include detangling,
shininess, and frizz reduction.

The main ingredient of a conditioner is called a cationic surfactant.

When hair is wet, this sticks to it, coating the strands to replenish the moisture that shampoo may have
removed.

Moisturize and seal

To add further hydration to the hair, you may want to embark on a two-step process known as
moisturize and seal.

This can be particularly useful for kinky or coily hair that tends to be dry.

The aim is to seal in moisture, not to lock in dryness, using a hydrating product and sealing oil.

Detangle

Detangling is essential for stopping breakage and for making your life a whole lot easier.

But you need to use the right tool, such as a wide-tooth comb, to avoid pulling hair out by mistake.

Depending on your hair type, you may need to detangle every day or much less often.

Style and protect

Thanks to a number of tools and tricks like volumizers and gels, you can style your hair practically any
way you want.

But if you’re a fan of heated tools, you’ll need to protect those strands with a heat protection spray.

Spot-treat
Spot-treating hair simply means picking out a particular area that’s bothering you and doing something
to remedy it.

For example, you’re fed up with how frizzy your hair is, so you try a protein treatment.

Or you’ve noticed that your scalp is feeling extra dry, so you apply a super nourishing product designed
for that area.

The products and tools used in each step vary widely

There’s no set product or tool that you need to abide by. Instead, experiment to find the ones that work
for you.

Cleansing and conditioning

Clarifying shampoo. A deep-working shampoo, clarifying formulas work to remove buildup from the
hair. Restrict use to around once a month, as they can remove natural oils.

“Daily” shampoo. Used for regular washing, this shampoo may not need to be applied daily as the name
suggests, but whenever your hair feels like it needs a good cleanse.

“Daily” or rinse-out conditioner. The conditioner that you use the most is likely to be one that rinses out
after a couple of minutes. It’s best applied to the middle and ends, as root application can result in a
greasy-looking scalp.

Leave-in conditioner. With this kind of conditioner, you apply it in the same way but don’t rinse it out.
This allows for an increased level of nourishment.

Deep conditioner. For even more hydration, try a deep conditioner. Great for hair that’s prone to
dryness, these conditioners are designed to be left in for longer.

Moisturizing and sealing

Hair lotion. Once hair is cleansed and conditioned, a cream-based lotion can offer further protection
from breakage and dryness. It also provides a light, non-stiff hold.

Oil. When it comes to oil, a little goes a long way. Enhancing your hair’s natural oils, it locks in moisture
and strengthens strands.

Detangling

Comb. Wet hair can break more easily when brushed, although this doesn’t apply to textured or tightly
curled hair types. A wide-tooth comb can be a less damaging alternative.
Brush. Different types of brushes exist. Some find bristles to be too hard on their hair, so opt for a plastic
version. Try not to brush your hair too much. Once a day is usually sufficient.

Spray. If you find tears welling up when brushing or combing, apply a detangling spray beforehand.

Serum. A richer way of managing those knots, a detangling serum can further condition hair and make it
softer so combs seamlessly work their way through.

Styling and protecting

Mousse. It sounds super retro, but modern mousse adds texture and volume to hair and can even
enhance curls. What’s more, it doesn’t leave behind a sticky or clumpy feel.

Wax. A thicker product, hair wax provides more of a hold while increasing shininess. Plus, it shouldn’t
leave strands feeling stiff.

Pomade. For a long-lasting, super shiny look, opt for pomade. This styling product should be used on
damp hair, as it doesn’t dry, leaving you with a sleek finishing touch.

Gel. Styling gel can give hair anything from a light hold to a super strong one, depending on the product
you use. All gels, however, provide a noticeable texture and shine.

Dry shampoo. If your hair gets greasy pretty quickly but you don’t want to wash it every day, a little dry
shampoo can get rid of unwanted oil. But it does tend to build up on the scalp, so try not to use too
much.

Volumizer. Hair looking limp? Volumizers lift hair away from the head to make your do look thicker while
still feeling lightweight.

Texturizer. This category can encompass everything from salt sprays to curl definers, and is designed to
add texture to the hair and preserve styles.

Shine serum or spray. These products sit on the surface of the hair, resulting in that smooth, glossy look.
Apply from the ends up to the middle.

Hair spray. Today’s hair sprays come in various holding strengths and can even target concerns like frizz.
Unlike years gone by, they don’t leave hair super stiff.

Heat protection spray. Whether you’re using a hair dryer, straightener, or curling iron, you need to
protect those strands. These sprays create a barrier to prevent exposure to extreme heat.

Treatments

Scalp treatment. An exfoliating scalp treatment can unclog follicles, stimulate circulation for growth, and
calm issues like itchiness. Use once or twice a month.

Protein treatment. Frizzy or broken hair may need an extra dose of protein. These monthly treatments
fill in gaps in the cuticle, strengthening and smoothing strands.

Targeted mask. Often infused with nourishing ingredients, hair masks tend to be left on for several
minutes to deeply replenish hair and remedy dryness, split ends, or frizz.
The order of your routine matters, and consistency is key

You’re not going to notice dramatic results overnight — although the effects of masks and certain styling
products can be immediately noticeable.

It takes time for your hair to get used to new products. In some cases, this may be a week.

But dry or damaged hair may take at least a month to reap the benefits.

The order you apply products can also make a difference. While this does depend on your hair type and
texture, there are a few general rules.

Shampoo, conditioner, and any in-shower products should be applied first, followed by heat protection,
a volumizer or mousse, and shine serum.

Then you can dry and style your hair, setting it with a gel (or similar product) and hair spray.

Make sure your final styling product is one that seals in moisture and helps keeps hair healthy.

But when it comes to frequency of use, it’s best to consult a professional

There are no hard rules for how often you should use each product.

Some people wash their hair three times a week, while others cleanse once a week. And some do it even
less.

When in doubt, ask a hair professional for personalized advice targeted to the products you use and the
needs of your hair.

Your individual hair needs will naturally change over time

There’s a saying that hair changes texture every 7 years. Unlike most of the rumors floating around the
internet, this one does have an element of truth behind it.

Hair grows in bundles, and these bundles start again every 7 years or so.

Over time, less strands appear, resulting in the thinning, weaker hair often associated with aging.

Hormones can also alter hair.

During pregnancy, for example, rising estrogen levels can slow down hair sheddingTrusted Source,
resulting in thicker-seeming, shiny hair.

When levels of these kinds of hormones drop, hair loss can occur. Menopause, for example, is often
linked to such hair issues.

Noticing these changes and responding appropriately can keep your hair looking healthy.

A good rule of thumb is to swap products as the seasons change

You may also need to change up your routine at certain parts of the year.

When the winter months hit, many need to opt for products with extra hydrating properties. Thicker
creams are also favored.

But in the warmer summer season, you may want to choose more lightweight formulas to help hair stay
bouncy in the face of humidity.

Some general tips and tricks that benefit all hair types

Lastly, it’s worth knowing a few handy things that apply to any hair texture and concern.

Get regular trims

If your hair is looking unhealthy, it may be because it needs a snip.

Getting hair cut every 6 to 8 weeks is considered to be beneficial for reducing breakage and split ends as
well as growth.

Use warm, not hot, water

Dousing hair in hot water can dry it out and, if dyed, can quickly fade color.

You don’t have to endure a freezing cold shower or bath. Just switch to lukewarm water instead.

Make sure you’re getting these nutrients in your diet

Even your diet can benefit your hair.

Protein — also known as hair’s building block — will only reach the hair if enough is consumed.

If you’re lacking in it, expect to notice brittleness and dryness.

Iron is also an important source of life for hair. When the body doesn’t have enough, hair growth can be
affectedTrusted Source.

Vitamins A and C are worth looking out for too. The former is needed to produce hair’s natural oils,
while the latter aids collagen productionTrusted Source, thereby strengthening hair.

And don’t forget omega-3 fatty acids. These are needed for hydration and overall scalp health.

Go natural where possible

Letting your hair breathe can work wonders. This can involve restricting heat use by letting it air-dry and
avoiding straighteners and curling irons.

Even putting hair up in a tight ponytail can cause strain, so leave it down to stop the pull.
And if you don’t need to use a styling product, don’t use it. That way, you’ll reduce residue buildup.

The bottom line

Figuring out a hair care routine may take a few days, if not a few weeks.

But once it’s sorted, you’re well on the way to getting the hair you deserve.