14 Effective Tips To Maintain Healthy Hair

In this hectic and busy schedule of our daily life, we fail to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Healthy lifestyle means as you know eating healthy food, enough sleep, sufficient drinking which has a enormous effect on your skin and hair both. Hair get damaged due to so many things knowingly or unknowingly. Our hair need sufficient amount of moisture, hydration, nutrients, vitamins as all are equally important to maintain a nice texture. Not every time you need go to a parlor and go for hair straightening, smoothing, keratin treatment, spa treatment you can also maintain it by treating it from the very beginning or it is never too late for you to start.

1. Don't wash your hair frequently with shampoo-

Too much use of shampoo is not good for your hair. Your scalp has natural oils and nutrients which moisturize and hydrates your hair and act as a barrier for the skin and hair. Shampoo leads to hair breakage, make your hair dry.Try to use it three times a week but it also depends on your hair type.
Check out these shampoo which suits you the most- 12 best organic shampoo

2. Trimming is much needed-

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Trimming is an important factor to protect your hair from damages, split ends. Hair cut encourages hair growth by cutting out the damage, broken or split ends. Normally it is said that trim your hair about once in every three months to maintain a healthy, lustrous hair.

3. Ignore heating equipment-

Heating equipment like blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons can damage and destroy proteins of your hair, and also evacuate hair's natural oils. So if you still want to use it, then your hair needs extra maintenance use heat protectors like heat protection spray, cream or serum which need to apply before using the equipment, it can protect your hair up to certain extent.

1. Garnier Ultimate Blends Oat Milk Heat Protection Spray- Best for weak hair that breaks easily

2. Caviar Repair Rx Multi-Vitamin Heat Protection Spray- Best for damaged and color treated hair

3. TRESemmé Expert Selection Heat Protection Spray, Keratin Smooth- Best for frizzy hair

4. Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique, Polishing Nourishing Milk- Best for extreme dry hair

4. Much needed for your hair - Oiling

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Our scalp naturally produces oil which condition our hair but it doesn't reach to the tips or hair strands. It also depends on your scalp type if you have dry scalp there are chances of getting split ends and flakes. People with oily scalp can also do oiling but don't keep it for more than one hour as it has tendency to block the pores. Oiling can nourish and moisturize your scalp and hair.

We need vitamin E,C,D, calcium, potassium, omega 6,9, lauric acid, iron, antibacterial properties for our hair so these vitamins and minerals contain in coconut oil, olive oil, castor oil, avocado oil, pure argan oil, vitamin e oil, jojoba oil etc.

Gently massage your scalp for 5 minutes will open up pores and follicles which stimulates blood circulation. You can leave it overnight for better penetration into the roots. Then wash it off with regular or organic shampoo. You can also mix essential oil with carrier oil and use it for better hair growth.
You can also check out this 10 best essential oils for hair growth

But avoid oiling daily it leaves residue and pores get clogged and may leads to more dandruff. You can use oil the day before you shampoo and it also help you getting a conditioning effect.

5. Cold water is your hair's best friend-

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Hot water is beneficial when your hair is dirty, greasy and oily otherwise it make your strand dries out, make it frizzy and also strips hair of natural oil. Cold water  prevents from frizz and adds luster to your hair. It seals in moisture and hydrates your hair, also help you achieve shinier hair. It encourages stronger hair and also slow down oil production. When you shampoo your hair use lukewarm water not too hot but the final rinsing that means after use of conditioner rinse it with cold water. Don't wash it off with chill water if you can't bear it use a normal water instead.

6. Detangle before you shampoo-

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If you already have tangles on your hair and you apply shampoo it can worsen your hair this can cause more damage or breakage when brushing your hair. When you apply shampoo on your hair, you rub the scalp and hair which results in more tangle. So if you detangle your hair before wash it cause less friction between each strand.

7. Choose shampoo according to your hair and scalp type-

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Shampoo is a cleansing agent which cleanses out dirt, oil and all products residue. Choosing the right shampoo is confusing knowing your scalp and hair type is a important thing. So some guidelines that can help you in choosing your shampoo-
Shampoo for oily scalp-

• Don't go for shampoos that are hydrating, moisturizing, smoothing or for curly hair. It will just give you moisture to your oily scalp which is not needed.
• Look for shampoos which claims volumizing, strengthening, or balancing. This focuses more on cleaning rather than moisturizing.
• A daily clarifying shampoo may be a great product to choose for your oily scalp. But keep in mind don't over dry your hair as it may result in stimulating more oil and sebum production.

Shampoo for dry scalp-

• Try to avoid shampoo which claims for strengthening, fortifying, and volumizing. These shampoos can strip out moisture from your scalp.
• Scalp which are less dry with little itching and flaking can look for shampoo which moisture, hydrates, smoothing and curls. These will promote moisture which will be helpful for your dry scalp.
• If your scalp is very dry, flaky and itchy can go for shampoo which is specially made for dry scalps. Ingredients like menthol and tea tree can help you.
• Always use sulfate free shampoo it just make your dry hair worse.

Those who have scalp type not too excessively dry or oily go for shampoo which suits you best try different types of shampoo and choose your product wisely.

8. After shampoo you need a good conditioner-

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Our hair get damaged and look dull, dry and out of moisture. Conditioner helps by smoothing your hair and make your hair more manageable and shiny. Shampoo open up the hair's cuticle whereas conditioner seals it by locking the nutrients. If your hair is fine and has a tendency to grease, condition your hair less often. But if your hair is thick, dry and damaged, conditioner is necessary for your hair. Conditioner should also be chosen according to your hair type and try to avoid silicone based conditioner it will strip out the natural nutrients. Always put conditioner to the ends and mid length of your hair never use it on your scalp.

You can always use a leave-in conditioner and serum it helps in extra conditioning of your hair after hair wash.

9. Go for satin pillowcase-

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Your hair suffer from lot of things blow drying, straightening, coloring, bleaches and lots of product so care for your hair is must. Sleep on satin pillowcase instead of cotton pillow case as it reduces hair breakage and minimizes static. It also lock moisture of the hair and make it frizz free. When you sleep toss and turn causes damage and friction, the softness of satin eliminates the friction and keep your hair look fresh and smooth.

10. Protect you hair and scalp from heat exposure-

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Protecting your scalp and hair is as important as your skin, your hair also get damaged from the sun exposure. It damage the outer cover of the hair strand, discoloration, dry and brittle strand, split ends, thinning and frizziness.  When you step out from home at daytime wear hat or scarf. Always apply UV shielding products to damp hair otherwise it will sit on the surface and will not penetrate into the entire hair. There are many suncreen to protect your hair from sun damage they are-

1. Bare republic UV- protecting hair collection they have shampoos, serum, mist

2. Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 30

3. TRESemmé climate-control finishing spray

4. Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer

11. Exfoliate your scalp-

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Yes you heard it right exfoliation of your scalp is as important as your skin.

• It remove dead cells from the scalp.
• It cures itchy and flaking of scalp.
• It prevents premature hair loss.
• It clears out the build up or any residue on the scalp and also prevent clogging of hair follicles.
• It  also treat scalp acne, pimples and white heads.
• It stimulates blood circulation. 

You can try home made scrub like coconut oil and brown sugar scrub- Mix 3 tbsp of sugar with 2 tbsp of coconut oil and add few drops of essential oil like tea tree, lavender or jasmine. Massage your scalp for 3 to 4 minutes and wash it off with regular shampoo.
OR
You simply add sugar into your shampoo or conditioner and exfoliate your scalp.
But people suffering from psoriasis, cuts, sores, infections or eczema on the scalp should skip scrubbing.

12. Apply hair mask once a week-

Hair mask deeply condition and nourishes your hair follicles. It is very much essential for dry, damaged or chemically treated hair. Mask act like a shield from environmental damage, Uv rays, heat styling tool. It also treat split ends and add shine. Apply it atleast once a week as it is much needed for your hair.
Choose mask according to your hair and scalp type-

For dry hair-

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 5 tablespoons olive oil

For oily hair-

• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon salt
• Juice of 1 lemon

For combination hair-

• ½ cup pureed beans (use baby food pureed beans to save time)
• ¼ cup of yogurt
• 1 teaspoon tea-tree oil
• 1 teaspoon honey

For dandruff and itchy scalp-

• 1 ripe avocado
• 10 drops argan oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1-3 drops tea tree oil

For normal hair-

• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 5 fresh tea leaves
• ½ ripe banana

Apply all this mask for 30 minutes to 1 hour and wash it off with regular or organic shampoo.

You can also check out- 10 effective hair spa treatments that you can do at home

13. Detox your hair once in two week-

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Using shampoo and conditioner is not enough to clean out the dirt and impurities from your hair. The hair care products we use leave many residues that need to be cleaned. Detoxifying your hair results to clean out your hair from toxins,build up and promote a healthy, shiny hair. Complete detoxifying your hair takes time but you will definitely feel the result from the first use.

How to detoxify?

• 1/2 cup bentonite clay powder
• 1/2 cup fresh aloe vera gel
• 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar (not for the mixture)

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Mix bentonite clay, aloe vera gel and 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar until you get a smooth consistency. Apply this on your hair and leave it for 20 to 30 minutes but keep in mind don't let it dry. Rinse the mixture with a cup of apple cider vinegar, you can also add warm water in the same ratio. Then wait for 2 to 3 minutes and wash it off with shampoo and conditioner.

14. Eating right can save your hair-

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Try to eat healthy food as you know eating right can also improve your hair quality and promotes hair growth and lessen hair fall. The key ingredients to healthy hair is lots of proteins and vitamins.

• Salmon has great benefits for your hair as it contains proteins, vitamin and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Eat walnuts as it contains high omega-3 , vitamin E and biotin.
• Oyster contains high zinc which helps from preventing dry and itchy scalp.
• Sweet potatoes contain high quantities of beta carotene and vitamin A. Vitamin A hydrates and protects your scalp.
• Blueberries are rich in vitamin C which helps in oxygen circulation on the scalp and reduces hair breakage.
• Bacon is loaded with vitamin B, zinc and protein.
• Shrimps have vitamin B12, iron and zinc which promotes hair growth.
• Eat greek yogurt, cottage cheese which is high in protein, vitamin B5 and vitamin D which leads to healthy hair follicles and get rid of dull hair.
• Lentils are rich in folic acid, protein, iron, zinc and biotin which promotes hair growth and cell renewal.
• Eat egg regularly which is full of protein, zinc, selenium, sulfur, and iron. It provides requisite amount of oxygen to your hair follicles and helps to prevent anemia which can cause hair loss.
• Eat green vegetables like spinach, green peas, broccoli, lettuce in your diet which contains zinc, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C. It provides sebum production which naturally condition and moisture your hair and help to maintain a healthy scalp and hair.

Lack of vitamins, iron and proteins can lead to hair loss. So all these food can help you to grow and maintain your hair well, each food has it own benefits so try to eat healthy food.

You may still lack in fulfilling your daily requirements so you can take supplements like biotin, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B5 and inositol but before you take these supplements consult with your doctor.

Check out these hair styles you can try before going to bed for protecting your hair from breakage or damage.

You should know your hair well and it is not possible to know by sitting idle, experiment with different masks, shampoos, conditioners and stick to the product that suits you the most. You can definitely change hair products but not too frequently, change it seasonally or according to your hair condition. So take care of your hair with extra tender love and it definitely give you the desire results as you want your hair to be.

You can also check out these related post-

1. 10 home remedies to cure hair loss effectively

2. 10 natural ways to straight your hair

Hope this post help you to maintain your healthy hair and please let us know if you have any queries regarding this post in the comment section below.