Who does not want long, lustrous and super healthy hair? It is every girl’s dream to have a thick mop of hair on her head. But achieving this may not always be easy. Factors such as an unhealthy diet, pollution, lifestyle and using the wrong kind of hair care products, can all lead to dull and lackluster strands. If you are struggling with this problem, then the first thing you need to change is your daily hair care routine.
If you don’t know where to start, then don’t worry, we have asked dermatologist, Dr. Mrunal Shah Modi (@dr.mrunalmodi) of Shine – Skin, Hair and Laser Clinic in Mumbai to help you figure out an ideal daily hair care routine, irrespective of your hair type.
- Important steps in a daily hair care routine
- Step 1: Oil massage
- Step 2: Cleanse
- Step 3: Condition
- Step 4: Repair
- Step 5: Treat
- Step 6: Protect
- What are some basic ingredients for severely dry and frizzy hair?
- The basics of a good hair care routine
- FAQs about a daily hair care routine
Important steps in a daily hair care routine
- Oil massage
- Cleanse
- Condition
- Repair with hair mask
- Treat with hair serum
- Protect with leave-in conditioner
Step 1: Oil massage
Massaging your hair with a bit of oil works really well to intensely moisturise and condition your strands. This practice is especially important to include in your daily hair care routine if you have dry and frizzy hair. Dr. Modi says, “Oil lubricates the outer cuticle, moisturises hair and reduces frizz. A gentle oil massage increases blood circulation, promoting hair growth. Some oils have essential nutrients that prevent hair fall and premature hair greying. If you have a dry and itchy scalp, then it works wonders in such cases. But if you have severe dandruff and other scalp infections, you must not apply the oil until it has been treated.”
Step 2: Cleanse
The next step is to cleanse your hair. While cleansing your hair, it is really important to use a shampoo that is specifically suited for your hair type. Dr. Modi says, “Wash your hair and scalp with a gentle sulphate-free cleanser two to three times a week. This is important to keep the scalp clean. Additionally, the temperature of the water also plays a really important role. Ensure that the water is neither very cold nor very hot as that takes away the moisture and makes hair dry.”
Step 3: Condition
Irrespective of your hair type, conditioning your hair is really important. Conditioning your hair helps reduce frizz, combats dryness and makes your hair a lot more manageable post drying. Additionally, well-conditioned hair does not tangle as much, and therefore, conditioning works well to reduce breakage and maintain healthy hair. “Apply the conditioner only to the hair ends and not the scalp. Leave it on for at least four to five minutes and then wash it off with cold water”, says Dr. Modi. Applying the conditioner to the scalp leads to product build-up and weighs down hair. The reason why it is important to wash it off with cold water is that it helps to seal the cuticle and adds shine.
Step 4: Repair
Once every two to three weeks, it is really important to swap your conditioner with a hair mask to reduce frizz, impart shine and repair damage. According to Dr. Modi, “Pollution and heat make your hair appear really dry and frizzy. Treating your hair to a hair mask helps restore hydration and makes hair softer and shinier. Masks also moisturise and nourish hair and also improve its strength. Store-bought masks are a lot more beneficial, but regular use of homemade hair masks about two to three times will be beneficial as well.”
Step 5: Treat
For truly healthy hair that shines and does not look frizzy, it is really important to use a hair serum after every hair wash. Just like there are potent serums for your skin, hair serums are also enriched with active ingredients that, when coupled with the lightweight texture of the serum, penetrate deep into your hair and scalp to protect, treat and repair your strands.
Step 6: Protect
The last, but very important step in your daily hair care routine is to protect. Our hair goes through a lot of damage throughout the day, thanks to pollution, environmental aggressors, heat tools, diet and general lifestyle choices, making it appear dull and frizzy. And a simple yet effective way to prevent this damage is to apply a leave-in conditioner. This product helps form a protective layer over your strands to prevent environmental damage and keeps them looking sleek and beautiful.
What are some basic ingredients for severely dry and frizzy hair?
Caring for dry, damaged and frizzy hair can sometimes be a bit tricky because this type of hair is easily prone to breakage. Therefore, using certain ingredients helps minimize this issue. According to Dr. Modi, “Olive oil, eggs, bananas, aloe vera, fenugreek and yogurt are all ingredients that are not just rich in hydration but are also a rich source of vitamin E and antioxidants. They also contain nutrients such as vitamin K, vitamin B6 and fibre, all of which treat dryness and make hair soft and conditioned.”
The basics of a good hair care routine
- Always allow your hair to air dry and then towel dry it. Avoid using heat to dry it every time you wash your hair. Use heat tools only once your hair is completely dry and remember to use a heat protecting spray before and after using any heat styling tools.
- Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to remove knots.
- Use a good leave-in serum on the hair.
- Get regular trims to keep split ends and hair damage at bay.
- If problems like dandruff, scalp itchiness, hair fall, etc. continue, visit a doctor ASAP.
- Consume supplements for healthy hair.
FAQs about a daily hair care routine
Q. Is it okay to oil hair every day?
A. No, you should not be oiling your hair every single day. When you oil your hair, your scalp muscles relax a little bit, which leads to scalp sensitivity. Sensitive scalps cause a lot more hair fall and other types of issues. Additionally, oiled hair attracts a lot more dirt, which settles onto the scalp and causes clogged follicles, hampering healthy hair growth. Therefore, it is best to restrict oiling your hair to just once a week for a couple of hours. But if you have very dry, thick and coarse hair, then you can do this twice a week, but not more.
Q. How often should I wash my hair?
A. Washing your hair every single day is a big no-no. People with a normal to dry scalp should wash their hair no more than two times a week to keep their hair in optimal condition. But if you have a greasy or oily scalp, then you may need to wash your hair on alternate days or once every three days.
Q. Can I wash my hair with just water?
A. If you are someone who has a very greasy scalp and needs to wash their hair every day, then it is better to skip the shampoo and rinse your hair with just water. This will prevent the drying effect that detergents in shampoos have on your hair, and allow the natural oils to protect your scalp. But ensure that you shampoo your hair at least every two to three days to prevent dirt, sweat, oil and product build-up from wreaking havoc on your strands.
Main image courtesy: @dishapatani
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Written by Urvi Dalal on 17th Sep 2020
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!