Hair Hygiene for Women

• 12 Hair Care Dos

• 5 Hair Care Don’ts

• What if you Don't Care for Your Hair?

• Take Away

Haircare experts say that the dream of healthy hair can be easily achieved with proper hair care. Discover a list of top hair hygiene tips in this article.

12 Hair Care Dos

1. Wash Your Hair Regularly

Washing your hair regularly makes sure that your scalp infections and hair are free from dirt and excess oil. If you have very dry hair, limit your washing to two times a week. People with oily scalp can wash their hair on alternate days.

2. Use Chemical Free Shampoos

Minimising the number of chemicals in your shampoo can make your hair healthier. Opt for gentle shampoos which suit your hair type.

Sulfates and parabens in shampoos can cause skin irritation over time and raise the risk of hormonal disruptions.

3. Condition Correctly

Your conditioner consists of ingredients that make your hair fall straight and manageable. It protects your hair from environmental damage and heat styling. Conditioner should only be applied on the tips of the hair avoiding the scalp. Also, make sure to rinse it off properly after application.

4. Dry Your Hair Naturally

Excessive heat styling can damage your hair scalp. Limit it only to important events, if you want to style. Air drying or towel drying is the best way to go after shampoo. Never comb wet hair or sleep in wet hair. Be gentle while rubbing your hair with a towel as harsh rubbing can damage the cuticle of your hair. 

5. Oil Your Hair Properly

Oiling and massaging your hair boost blood circulation on the scalp, relax your muscles, boost shine and nourish the hair. It also restores moisture content, boosts hair growth and repairs split ends. You can opt for coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil and castor oil but avoid using any mineral oil on your hair.

6. Use A Wide-toothed Comb

Wet hair is fragile and very much prone to breakage. First, dry your hair naturally and then use a wide-toothed comb for brushing your hair as this prevents damage to your hair.

7. Trim Your Hair Regularly

Trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks is recommended to get rid of split ends. Split ends are formed when the hair gets damaged due to heat styling, pollution, smoking, stress and so on. Trimming is not going to magically make the hair grow faster. Hair growth happens at the scalp level, but trimming promotes healthy hair.

8. Drink More Water

Internal hydration along with external hydration is the key to healthy hair. You might be using hydrating hair care products and oils, but drinking at least 3 litres of water daily promotes good hair health.

9. Eat Healthily

Your hair requires an ample amount of nutrition like protein, amino acids etc. to grow well and maintain itself. Eggs, berries, nuts, fish and green leafy vegetables are some of the many great foods for healthy hair.

10. Use Hair Caps/hats

Just like sunlight has a damaging effect on your skin, it affects your hair too. Harsh sun rays can remove the moisture from your hair making it brittle,  dry and damaged over the period. Make use of hats when you step out to protect your hair from damage. Protect your hair with caps when you are in a swimming pool as chlorinated water is bad for your hair.

11. Use Hair Bands

Use hair bands to limit hair exposure to harmful environments. Make use of fabric hair ties instead of plastic ones. Don't pull your hair tightly when making a ponytail or any other hairstyle.

12. Use A Hair Wrap Or Old T-shirt To Dry

You can use your t-shirt to dry your wet hair without damaging your hair. Traditional towels are very rough on your hair cuticles and damage them. 

5 Hair Care Don’ts

1. Hot Showers

Hot showers can take off the natural oils from your scalp leaving it very dry and flaky. Cold showers are suitable for your hair.

2. Stress

Stress can be a leading cause of hair loss and unhealthy hair.

3. Chemicals

Chemicals from various hair treatments like dyeing, perming and others can affect your hair follicles, hampers hair growth and can also cause hair fall.

4. Hair Styling Products

Heat styling using blow dryers, straighteners and curlers regularly can change hair texture, making them dry and prone to breakage.

5. Salt Water Hair Wash

Salty water harms the hair cuticle, irritates the scalp and makes the hair tangled. It is better to avoid chlorinated water in swimming pools.

What if you Don't Care for Your Hair?

If you don't care for your hair, it may stop growing after a certain point. Slowly, you may also have dandruff, hair fall, dryness and dullness.

Not washing hair for a long time can lead to ingrown hairs and more prone to dust. Using the wrong hair care products can make you feel itchy and cause hair to fall.

Take Away

By using non-chemical products suitable for your hair type, eating the right balanced meal, avoiding heat styling and following all the mentioned tips, you can bid goodbye to the bad hair days! But most importantly, if you have excessive hair fall and damage despite following a good hair care regime, do consult your doctor.