The Ultimate Haircare Guide For Men And Women

Taking care of your hair is a must if you want to keep it in good condition for years to come. Hair tends to naturally thin out and change as we age, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat it with care. Below we have some pointers that both men and women can use. Read on and you’ll be able to ensure your hair stays in the best possible condition:

1. Don’t Overwash Your Hair

Washing your hair too much is a bad idea; it strips it of natural oils, which can dry it out and leave it in dire need of TLC. But how do you know how much washing is too much? If you’re washing your hair every day, or even every other day, you’re likely doing it too much. Hair should be washed a couple of times a week maximum to avoid stripping it of its natural oils. If you find your hair gets greasy quickly, it could be that you’ve simply overwashed it for so long that it tends to get dirty quicker. If you ease off washing a little and slowly reduce the amount you wash your hair, you should find that you can make a wash last longer, too.

If you’re struggling in the beginning, using dry shampoo should help you. Just make sure you rub it in properly to avoid any white residue. Bear in mind that using this too often can leave you with a dry scalp.

2. Pat Your Hair Dry

After washing, many people will rub their hair dry with a towel. Doing this too vigorously can cause damage to the hair. Instead, patting your hair dry gently will mean avoiding damaged ends. Avoid being too rough with your hair – if you have long hair, this is especially important.

3. Use Products Suited To Your Hair Type

Knowing your hair type is key if you want to take care of it in the long run. Using products that suit your hair type will keep it in better condition for longer and help you to make it look its best. For example, if you have fine hair, using shampoo and condition suited to fine hair will make it look a little thicker and more voluminous. If you have colored or dry hair, using the appropriate products becomes even more important, as you want it to retain moisture and stay silky smooth. If you use the wrong products for your hair, you could weigh it down, dry it out, or lose a lovely color that you spent a lot of money on at the hairdressers. If you have a sensitive issue, such as balding patches, you can look into treatments like this scalp application for hair loss. It’s usually best to visit your doctor to see if anything is going on to cause it first. They may then be able to recommended a treatment for you based on what’s going on. You shouldn’t use medication or strong products without checking with a professional first.  

4. Don’t Overuse Heat

Heat can be a big issue if you use too much of it on your hair. Using hair dryers, heated appliances, and other types of heat on your hair can quickly dry it out and make it appear brittle and dull. You might find that the front pieces are shorter than other pieces, or that you have lots of split ends. If you use a hair dryer, it’s best to use it on a cool setting so that it doesn’t damage your hair. Avoiding heated appliances and only using them occasionally is a good idea too. If you do use heat on your hair, the least you can do is use a spray that will help to protect it from damage – although these sprays can’t perform miracles, so it’s still important to be sensible with the amount of heat that you use.

5. Be Careful With Color

Having your hair colored can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. Temporary colors aren’t so bad, but if you need to lighten your hair first then you’ll usually need to use bleach, which will wreak havoc on your hair. If you can avoid bleach, you’ll be doing your hair a massive favor. For the best possible condition, only ever use temporary color, or aim to go just one or two shades darker/lighter than your natural color. Doing your hair yourself is usually a bad idea, so get a professional to do it if you want to keep your hair in the best condition and avoid breaking it/drying it out.

6. Have Regular Trims

Regular trimming won’t make your hair grow faster, like some people claim, but it will keep it looking and feeling healthy. Aim to have a trim every 6-8 weeks with a professional. Some people like to trim their ends at home, but doing this could mean cutting too much off and ending up with an uneven, choppy style; especially if you don’t have the right scissors.

7. Avoid Tight Hairstyles And Accessories

Having your hair in a tight ponytail or bun, or wearing tight hats/accessories can cause something called traction alopecia. This is where you can get bald patches on your head from putting your hair under too much stress. If you’re going to put your hair up, keep it loose. It’s also a good idea to have a few go-to hairstyles, as having it in the same hairstyle everyday could cause long term damage.

8. Talk To Your Hairdresser

If you know your hair is getting thinner with age or becoming damaged over time, find a good hairdresser and chat to them about your issues. They will be able to advise you on styles that will suit your hair type, as well as what you should and shouldn’t be doing for your hair.

Both men and women can use the advice here to keep their hair in the best possible condition. Do you have any hair care tips and tricks that you swear by? Leave them in the comments below!

Tags: haircare, shampoo

Category: Fashion