Beautiful, shining hair is every woman’s dream. However, frequent styling, use of curlers and straighteners, dyeing, etc. combined with the effects of poor diet, pollution, air conditioning and exposure to heat can cause damage to your hair. All this means that you need proper care to maintain the natural beauty of your hair.

Before going into the dos and don’ts of hair care, understand that hair can be fine, medium-textured or coarse. Fine hair always tends to lack volume, while medium hair is often quite easy to handle, strong and elastic. Coarse hair brings its own problems; it’s abundant, but can be heavy, frizzy and difficult to control.

Shampoo properly

Don’t shampoo your hair too often; shampoo at the most every other day or even only twice a week. Washing hair too often can leave them dried out, leached of its natural oils and may damage your hair. Choose a shampoo that suits your hair type:

Curly or coarse hair needs frizz-minimising and softening shampoo.

Straight or oily hair needs a gentle shampoo designed for daily washing.

Coloured or treated hair needs a shampoo that’s fortified with extracts or amino acids.

Dry hair needs shampoos with glycerine and collagen to help restore some moisture into the hair.

Shampooing the scalp, roots and the nape — instead of the general length — is more effective as these are the spots where dirt tends to collect. Avoid using too much shampoo on the ends, as it can cause dryness.

Cut down on styling that damages your hair and give it a much needed treat

Avoid hot water

Hot water baths make your hair dry and brittle as it strips the hair of essential oils. Prefer a temperature that is slightly warmer than your body temperature.

Keep showers short

Prolonged showers can do more harm than good; keep your shower time down to the minimum. Showers that last for more than 10 minutes usually wash away essential oils from your hair.

Drying

One of the biggest mistakes while washing our hair is rubbing it dry. When you rub your hair, you end up damaging the roots and ends. It’s better to pat dry your hair as it is gentler on the hair.

It’s much better to let your hair dry naturally instead of blow drying. Healthy hair does not respond well to heat. Blow-drying will make your hair more brittle and dry. If you have to use a blow-dryer, dry your hair using the lowest-temperature setting and limit usage to once a week.

Brushing

Wet hair is three times weaker and thus more likely to break. Towel-dry your hair first and then gently detangle your hair using a wide tooth comb. Avoid using a comb with plastic bristles to prevent hair breakage from static electricity. Always begin at the bottom to remove tangles and then take long strokes from the roots to the ends. This will help the proper spread of natural hair oil and thus prevent breakage.

Conditioning

Use conditioner that matches your hair type, length and treatment damage. A good rule of thumb is to condition every time you shampoo your hair, although very processed or dyed hair probably needs a little more love than natural hair.

Deep condition once a week; it keeps hair soft, healthy and moisturised.

Styling and dyeing

Trim your hair regularly, every six to eight weeks. It’s the best way to never have split ends. Minimise styling as repeated styling stresses hair. Avoid perming, crimping, straightening and bleaching your hair if possible. Avoid using rubber bands to pull back or otherwise style hair to prevent breakage and do not tie your hair too tightly.

Dye sparingly, if at all. Dyeing your hair can damage them. If you do dye, do it every once in a while.

Moisturising

Use five oils: almond, castor, olive, coconut and lavender oils. Mix together equal proportions of each. Apply to the hair and leave in for four hours prior to taking a shower.

For shiny, soft hair: Prepare a mixture of one cup of your daily conditioner and two to three tablespoons of honey. Apply this mixture evenly on your wet hair. Leave it for 30 minutes and wash it off thoroughly. This mixture will close your hair’s cuticle and give them that amazing shine.

Rinsing with vinegar before shampooing helps to make your hair look shinier and cleaner; plus, it treats dandruff. Use one part vinegar (preferably organic apple cider vinegar) to three parts warm water, then rinse and wash your hair as normal.

For strong hair: Use almond oil to treat dry and damaged hair. Simply, pour some almond oil in a bowl and heat it for 40 seconds. Apply on your hair; leave it for 30 minutes and then rinse with shampoo and conditioner using cold water.

To get rid of dull hair: After the final rinse, apply one tablespoon lemon juice to your hair. Simply towel dry your hair to get rid of dry hair.

Treat sun damaged hair

Make a mixture of half cup honey, 1-2 tbsp olive oil and 1-2 tbsp of egg yolk. Apply this mixture on your hair for 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water. This treatment will help to replenish keratin protein bonds.

Maintain your general health

Drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet of raw fruits and vegetables. Since hair is made of proteins, eat a balanced diet rich in lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C strengthens hair; make sure you get plenty of it. In addition, iron helps transport oxygen to blood vessels, zinc grows and repairs tissue, and omega-3 fatty acids grow healthy hair.

De-stress your life

Stress can cause hair loss, so try not to let stress overcome you. Finding healthy emotional outlets for your stress such as yoga, biking, meditation, or other forms of exercise all work well.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, March 8th, 2015

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