How to Build the Healthy Hair Care Routine?

So, you’ve decided it’s time to start taking better care of your hair. Maybe you want your locks to grow faster, be shinier, or look less damaged after years of coloring. No matter what brought you to this article, we’ve got your back! Creating a hair care routine can help your hair look its absolute best and leave you feeling even more confident, and all it takes is a bit of direction and the right products.

This article is based on an interview with our licensed cosmetologist, certified hair loss practitioner, and cosmetology educator, Courtney Foster. Check out the full interview here.
Things You Should Know
Determine your hair type so you can create a routine that fits your hair care needs. Use a moisturizing shampoo with argan oil if you have dry hair, or opt for a clarifying shampoo if you have oily hair. Deep condition your hair at least once a week to help repair damage and keep it healthy.

Discover your hair type by avoiding hair products for a few days.
Everyone’s hair is different and needs to be taken care of in different ways. Learning what type of hair you have can help you create the perfect hair care routine. Go a few days without using products and observe what your natural hair does. Your hair may be: Oily Dry Normal Wavy Straight Curly Coily Thick Fine Always treat your hair according to its hair type. Your hair will likely react differently than a friend's to certain products and care.

Wash your hair when necessary.
You may think you need to wash your hair daily, but most hair types only need a wash every other day or a few times a week. Depending on your hair type, wash it when it's dirty, not just out of habit. In general, people with fine, straight hair need to wash more often than people with thick, curly, or wavy hair.[1] If you have dry hair, wash it every third day. If your hair is more oily, try washing it every other day; if it looks really oily after just 1 day, wash it every day. If you have normal hair (not super dry and not super oily), wash it every other day or every 3 days. There’s no perfect formula for how much you should wash your hair. Monitor your hair and wash it when you feel it's dirty. Try using dry shampoo between washes to help soak up excess oil.
Use lukewarm water to wash your hair. Do your best to avoid washing your hair with hot water. Hot water can strip your hair of protective oils that serve as a natural conditioner. So, lock in that shine by washing your hair with lukewarm water.

Brush your hair with a comb when it’s wet
After you get out of the shower, it can be tempting to run a brush through your hair; however, a wide-tooth comb is the best way to remove any knots post-showering. A brush often snags and pulls your hair, causing it to break and become damaged, so use a comb and start at the bottom of your hair, working your way up

Let your hair air dry rather than using a blow dryer. Blow dryers are a fast way to dry your hair, but the heat from the dryer can damage hair follicles and lead to dry, damaged hair. Allow your hair to air dry when possible, but if you need to use a blow dryer, stick to one that has a cool setting
Trim your hair regularly to keep it healthy
Hair is prone to split ends, and if you go long periods of time without cutting your hair, it can look damaged and unhealthy. Try to give your hair a trim every 6 months or so, and if you’re really prone to split ends, trim your hair every 6 weeks.[4] If visiting a salon frequently is too much trouble or too expensive, trim your hair yourself. Invest in hair-cutting scissors and use a mirror to see the back of your head. It's easiest to trim your hair when it's wet or straight so you can get even ends. If your hair is curly, it’s best to trim it when it’s dry or only slightly wet. Curly hair looks much longer when it’s wet, so it may dry shorter than you expected.

Do your best not to touch your hair
Because your hair and hands already have natural oils, constantly touching or moving it out of your face can make your hair look greasy. To avoid this, the best option is to get a manageable haircut that won't bother you throughout the day.
Try to dye your hair as little as possible
Hair dye has many chemicals that can damage your hair, and if done too often, it can be hard to repair the damage. If you’re willing, stick to your natural hair color, but if you must dye, do it infrequently and stay within 3 shades of your natural color.

Protect your hair from the sun. The sun can damage your hair just like it damages your skin. Too much sun can dry out your hair, especially if your hair is color treated, so whenever you’re outside for long periods of time, try covering your hair with a hat or using a hairspray with SPF protection.
Keep your hair in loose updos. Throwing your hair back in a ponytail or braid is convenient but be careful not to pull your hair too tight, as this can cause damage and breakage. It's okay to do tighter styles with your hair, but avoid doing them every day and let your hair stay loose and natural at night

Apply natural remedies to your hair. There are a lot of different hair products you can buy to improve the quality of your hair, but some of the best things for your hair are natural ingredients that can be found in the kitchen. Take a look at these natural moisturizers: Olive oil: Warm olive oil helps moisturize dry hair. Apply it to your hair and let it sit for 45 minutes, then shampoo and rinse. Tea: Unsweetened, brewed tea can bring shine to your hair and enhance your natural color. Rinse your hair with a tea that corresponds to your natural color (black tea for brunettes, chamomile tea for blondes) after rinsing out shampoo in a shower. Coconut oil: This serves as a natural conditioner. Take heated coconut oil and apply it to your hair, letting it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse with shampoo. Honey: This natural moisturizer can help strengthen hair follicles. Mix equal parts honey and shampoo and rinse.
Eat healthy to keep your hair strong and encourage growth. In order to have healthy hair, you need to have a healthy body, which means eating right. Because hair is another part of your body, it needs certain nutrients to maintain strength and growth. Add more foods with these nutrients to your diet to encourage hair growth: Essential fatty acids: Flaxseed oil, salmon, tuna, walnuts, and almonds Vitamin B6: Bananas, potatoes, and spinach Protein: Fish, chicken, eggs, and soy products Folic acid: Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits and tomatoes, as well as whole grains, beans, and lentils

Choose a shampoo that matches your hair type. There’s a wide variety of shampoos out there for all hair types in a range of prices. While you should avoid really cheap shampoos, salon shampoos may not provide extra benefits for your hair. Focus more on picking a shampoo for your hair type rather than the price. Check the label and ingredients of the shampoo before buying it. See if it’s marketed for your hair type and includes ingredients that’ll benefit your hair. For instance, if you have dry hair, look for a shampoo with moisturizing and hydrating ingredients like argan oil; if you have greasy hair, opt for a clarifying shampoo.
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Hair-Care-Routine
Written by Courtney Foster | Edited by Aly Rusciano