5 Hair Care Routine That Works on All Fronts

Walk into a supermarket and you’re faced with a bewildering array of hair-care products. Tune into a grooming program and you’re bombarded with umpteen routines, hacks, and products that are absolutely “non-negotiable” for healthy, glossy hair. But hair care really isn’t that complex. A few simple steps followed consistently can give you that gorgeous mane you’ve been dreaming about. The list that follows has general hair-care pointers as well as tips on how to wash, condition, and even comb your hair. A bit of discipline and dedicated care and you’ll have a hair-care routine that works on all fronts!

# Wash Your Hair Only When Needed

Shampooing daily is a ritual that most of us follow. But excessive washing can make your hair dry and brittle and cause it to lose body. How frequently your hair needs to be washed depends on the amount of oil that’s produced by your scalp and your hair texture. Oily hair may need a rinse every two days while a weekly wash may suffice for dry hair. And anything between once or twice a week may work for you if you have normal hair. Oil may build up sooner if you have straight and fine hair, therefore requiring a few washes a week. Coarse or tightly coiled hair may do just fine with a weekly wash. Chemically treated and gray hair too tends to be dry and may not require frequent washing.

# Oil Your Hair The Night Before You Wash It

Ayurvedic practitioners have long advocated the use of hair oils to condition hair, improve its quality, and promote hair growth. Massage in a little hair oil the night before you wash your hair, leave it in overnight, and wash it off in the morning. It’s best not to expose your hair to the sun and dust after applying oil as it may attract dust. And remember a gentle head massage before going to bed may even help you sleep better! Use warmed oil and feel it soak into your scalp!

Coconut oil and sesame oil are considered good for your hair and commonly used as hair oils in many Southeast Asian communities. But if you’re prone to colds or sinusitis, you might want to be a little cautious about leaving in coconut oil overnight as it is considered to be a “cool” oil which can worsen these conditions. An ayurvedic remedy to counteract this effect is to use coconut oil infused with pepper. To prepare pepper-infused oil, warm about 100 ml of coconut oil with 5 gms of pepper over mild heat and strain it. If the overnight oiling still doesn’t work for you, try oiling your hair 30–60 minutes before your wash.

# Use A Natural Conditioner After Washing

Use a conditioner after you shampoo your hair. A conditioner can reduce static electricity and improve strength and shine. But concentrate on the tips of your hair, avoiding the scalp. Many natural oils can also double up as conditioners – take your pick from coconut oil, argan oil, olive oil and simply run a little oil through wet hair strands, leaving it in. You could mix in some aloe vera gel or even infuse it with a bit of aromatic essential oil like rose or jasmine for hair that smells great! But remember, a little goes a long way. Too much oil can make your hair greasy and attract dust. Just a couple of drops should do the trick.

# Handle Wet Hair With Care

Wet hair’s fragile. It’s more elastic than dry hair and therefore breaks more easily. Combing, brushing, and even toweling your hair dry roughly when it’s wet can damage it. If your hair is straight, run a wide-toothed comb through it only after it has dried out a bit. If your hair is textured or tightly curled, use a wide-toothed comb while it is a little damp to make combing easier.

# Nix The 100 Strokes And Comb Your Hair Only When Needed

Are you in the habit of brushing your hair before you go to bed? We’ve all been told that the key to glossy hair is a 100 strokes before bed but overbrushing can actually damage your hair. Your hair only needs to be combed or brushed when you style it. And it’s best to run a wide-toothed comb gently through your hair. Avoid tugging or pulling on your hair when you comb and work out any tangles with care. Using a moisturizing conditioner can help ease tangles gently.