15 tips for maintaining healthy hair

15 Tips For Maintaining Healthy Hair

Maintaining healthy hair is vital to hair growth. Taking care of your hair once in a while is great but maintaining healthy hair is even better.

From what to do to what to avoid we've got you covered. Here are 15 tips for maintaining healthy hair.

1. Wash Your Hair with the Right Shampoo

We all know that shampooing your hair is important but what is even more important is using the right shampoo. Don't settle for any old mundane shampoo use one for your specific hair and scalp needs.

There are various shampoos available for different hair and scalp conditions. Whether it is dandruff, itch, dry scalp there is a shampoo for you and the same goes for your hair type. Curlier hair textures tend to need more moisture while straighter hair textures tend to get oily. There are even shampoos that will help you balance the pH levels of your hair.

Here are some shampoos that get down to the root of specific hair needs:

Wash Hair with Shampoo

2. Deep Condition

It is just as important to condition your hair as it is to shampoo. The two go hand in hand. Shampoos clean while conditioners make your hair feel smooth again.

The combination is similar to when you take a shower. When you take a shower you wash with soap then afterward you rub lotion on your skin. Shampoo and conditioner are like soap and lotion duo for hair. The shampoo is the soap and conditioner is the lotion; the two work seamlessly together.

Co-Washing

Co-washing is short for conditioner only washing. Basically, co-washing is when you use conditioner in place of shampoo. Women with natural hair co-wash their hair as a way to promote moisture.

Use conditioner

Make Your Conditioner

The thing I love about the conditioner is that you can make your own out of the convenience of your own home. Many natural ingredients have moisturizing capabilities that work very well on hair. Everyday foods we eat like mayonnaise, eggs, honey, olive oil have nutrients and vitamins that help with healthy hair.

Even onions work! We recommend trying a deep onion conditioner that you can make at home.

3. Moisturize

Moisturizing both your hair and your scalp is very important. Like our skin, our scalp produces natural moisture yet additional moisture is still needed. There are many moisturizers out there but try to stay away from anything with petroleum or mineral oil (I’ll explain that more in tip #12).

Aside from manufactured moisturizers, there are natural oils that you can use to moisturize your hair. This leads me to the next tip for maintaining healthy hair, use natural oils!

Moisturize hair with oils

4. Use Natural Oils

Did you know that you can use natural oils on your hair? They can be used for moisture and even mixed in with your conditioner or water to help nourish your hair and scalp.

Many natural oils are multipurpose. Natural oils can be used in your food, on your skin, and in your hair!

Natural Oils

Here is a list of natural oils you can use for your hair and their benefits:

  • Jojoba Oil helps to strengthen your hair by acting as a moisturizer.
  • Castor Oil is well known for promoting hair growth. If your edges are struggling or you have hair loss, I highly recommend that you massage castor oil into that area twice daily. Do this regimen consistently over time, and you will most likely see results. Castor oil also has anti-fungal properties that help treat scalp infections.
  • Black Seed Oil is anti-inflammatory. It helps with scalp conditions caused by inflammation and also helps with sensitivity and flakiness.
  • Flaxseed Oil is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that help with both healthier skin and hair.
  • Carrot Oil helps stimulate new cell growth, and it is rich in Vitamin A & E which are both great for your hair. It also helps moisturize your scalp.
  • Vitamin E Oil is an antioxidant helping build and repair tissue. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help repair damaged follicles encouraging hair growth.

    5. Regular Trim

    You don’t necessarily need a big chop to keep your hair healthy, but a nice trim every once in a while won’t hurt. A regular trim is necessary to make sure your hair is healthy and vibrant.

    It is recommended that you get a trim every three months. A trim helps reduce split ends that cause further hair damage.

    Get a trim

    6. Avoid Excessive Heat

    Avoid using hot tools such as curling irons, flat irons, etc. on your hair frequently. Excessive heat can damage your hair.

    Give your hair a break every once in a while. Try some protective styles from tip #8 or wear a wig. These are some great ways to give your hair a break while still being able to slay. Nonetheless when you do use heat make sure to always follow our next tip!

    Avoid hot tools

    7. Use Heat Protectant

    When applying any heat to your hair heat protectant is a must! When applying heat to your hair heat protectant helps protect your hair from the damage caused by heat styling. It helps with up to 50% heat protection at most.

    If you want to stay away from heat entirely while stimulating hair growth to try our next tip.

    Heat protectant

    8. Protective Styles

    Protective styles do precisely what they say, they protect. They save your hair from unnecessary pulling and manipulation and allow time for hair growth.

    They are very popular in the natural hair world. Styles such as braids, twists, wigs that cover your hair are considered protective styles.

    Protective Styles

    9. Color Your Hair Correctly

    Coloring your hair correctly is very critical to maintaining healthy hair. Coloring your hair incorrectly is one of the easiest ways to damage your hair.

    Now don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with hair color when it is being applied to healthy hair correctly. Make sure your hair is in an excellent condition to be colored and make sure whoever is coloring your hair has experience.

     Coloring hair

     

    Here are some tips you can take to prevent damage when coloring your hair:

    • Use clarifying shampoo before coloring your hair
    • Wait at least two days before shampooing your hair
    • Use color-protecting shampoos
    • Condition every time you shampoo colored hair
    • Use only quality conditioning hair colors

    10. Use the Right Comb or Brush at the Right Time

    Just like shampoo many of us don’t get specific when it comes to our hairbrushes and combs yet it is crucial that we do. There are different types of brushes and combs for different things.

    I remember when I first started wearing wigs I would use a regular brush and wondered why I wasn’t getting the results that I wanted. I later found out there is a wig brush; a brush made especially for wigs. Using this brush helped me achieve the results I wanted.

    Different brush and comb tools are made with different bristles that have different effects on our hair. Boar bristles distribute oils and create a soft texture that looks brushed out. Nylon bristles comb through hair with ease.

    After shampooing your hair don’t use a skin comb to comb through your wet hair. Instead of a skinny comb use a wide-tooth comb this will help you detangle your hair smoothly. Being mindful of the combs and brushes you use on your hair can help reduce shedding. The way you comb and brush your hair is also significant.

    Avoid using harsh and hard hand gestures that can be hard on your hair and cause damage or hair loss. Take time while brushing or combing your hair and be gentle.

    Right Comb or Brush

    11. Avoid These Substances

    There are many things you can do to maintain healthy hair, but there are things to avoid. Avoid using alcohol like mineral oil and petroleum and here is why:

    Isopropyl Alcohol is designed to dissolve oil. This causes excessive drying when applied to your hair and strips hair of moisture. It can be food in many hair products such as hairspray, gel, volumizers, and root lifters yet at the risk of healthy hair.

    Mineral Oil can clog pores. Instead, use coconut oil which can penetrate deeper into your hair and scalp. Petroleum creates the illusion of moisture yet like mineral oil it clogs pores. Petroleum can be found in petroleum jelly better known as Vaseline.

    Avoiding the use of these substances can help save your hair from unnecessary and unwanted damage. Although many know these products are a no-no some hair products may still contain these substances. Use caution by always reading the ingredients on your hair labels to make sure that these ingredients are not hiding in your products.

    Avoiding use of substances

    12. Use A Hair Mask

    Just like how to do a face mask every once in awhile a hair mask can be used for your hair. A hair mask serves as a deep treatment for your hair. They help with deep conditioning and recover your hair from things like heat, weather, and dryness. Hair masks also can help restore shine and invigorate your scalp with nutrients.

    They can be found at your local beauty supply store and done from the convenience of your own home. Many salons also offer hair masks, and deep hair treatments so ask your hairstylist on your next visit.

    One great thing about hair masks is that you can do it yourself! Here are some different hair masks you can make with products from your home:

    Hair masks

    • Avocado Hair Mask- takes your hair's shine to the next level!
    • Egg Yolk and Olive Oil Hair Mask- moisturizes and deep conditions your hair.
    • Strawberry Hair Mask- gives your hair a healthy boost of Vitamin C.
    • Olive Oil, Honey, and Banana Smoothie Hair Mask- helps your hair with split ends.

    13. Wrap your Hair

    Covering your hair at night will help protect your hair from the rustle and toil of your sleep. It only takes a few minutes yet makes a huge difference. Here are a few reasons why you should be covering your hair at night when your sleep:
    • Covering your hair will prevent tangling which can lead to shedding and breakage.
    • Breakouts and blemishes can be caused when your hair is on your face while you sleep. Covering your hair will prevent the oils from your hair from getting on your face.
    • This is one of the best ways to keep your hairstyle in place! The rustle and toil of sleep without a head wrap can have your hair all over the place. Covering your hair will keep your style intact requiring little to almost no manipulation when you wake up.
    • If you are doing an overnight hair treatment, then you definitely want to cover your hair. Covering your hair will not only help stimulate the treatment but also help seal the treatment into your hair follicles and scalp.

    There are many different types of head wraps from bonnets, silk caps, scarves, etc. that you can use to cover your hair while you sleep. Various head wrap cloths can be purchased at your local beauty supply store, fabric store, and even retail stores.

    Silk-based wraps are highly recommended because they help retain moisture. Which leads to our next tip!

    Silk caps

    14. Silk Pillow Case

    It may be time to go to bed, but that doesn’t mean that your hair care should stop here. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase is a great investment for your hair.

    Silk pillowcases are hypoallergenic, so they are naturally resistant to mold, fungus, and dust mites. The natural properties of silk, such as its smooth surface, help reduce friction which can cause damage to your hair.

    Silk pillowcase

    15. Research is Key!

    Last but not least always remember that research is key! Learning more about your specific hair type and how to take care of it can help you create a hair regimen that is just for you. Search online, attend hair workshops, or even ask your stylist about different hair tips.

    Search online

    Reading the Private Label Extensions blog is a great way to build your hair knowledge. You can learn everything from how to maintain a healthy scalp to how to grow long hair. We have created our blog as a resource for all your hair needs.

    Whether your hair is short or long healthy hair is a must for all. By following these tips, you will ensure that your locks and tresses are healthy. Healthy hair allows you to do more with your hair and rock more styles, but most importantly it gives you confidence!

    Let us know some of your tips for maintaining hair by leaving a comment.

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