How to build your hair care routine?
The health of your hair lies in the haircare routine you follow. How frequently do you wash your hair has nothing to do with your haircare routine? No! The basics of hair wash, hair drying and hairstyling are the cornerstones of how to establish a hair care routine. Here is how you can build your hair care routine;
1) Know your hair type
Hair type is determined by a variety of characteristics, including hair density, porosity level of the hair, texture and if your hair breaks readily. Hair porosity can be inferred by placing a single strand of hair in a bowl filled with water. If the hair strand sinks to the bottom of the bowl, your hair has high porosity. High porosity hair can absorb moisture. If the hair strand floats above the water mean it has low porosity and is incapable of absorbing moisture content. If the hair strand remains under the surface but floats, it has normal porosity.2) Determine your hair condition
Determining the condition of your hair helps to find out the most suitable techniques and products to be used in the hair care routine. Choose the products according to your hair type. If you have a dry scalp, opt for deep moisturizing shampoos.3) Hair wash schedule
Wash your hair regularly to clean the dirt and excessive oil that has accumulated on the scalp. The hair wash schedule should be done based on your hair type. If you have oily hair, washing your hair on alternative days is a good choice. If you have dry hair, limit your hair wash to twice a week.4) Shampoo and conditioner
To begin, determine which shampoo is best for your hair type. If you have oily hair, for example, avoid using a shampoo that contains a lot of moisture or has significant moisturizing effects. All you'll need is a cleansing shampoo. Select a moisturizing shampoo if your hair is extremely dry.
Use shampoo and conditioner that are free from parabens and sulphate. Concentrate on cleansing the scalp while shampooing. Shampoo cleanses the hair from dirt, sweat and excess oil. Using a conditioner will keep your hair frizz-free and silky. Conditioning protects your hair from environmental factors such as heat and UV rays. Shampooing your hair with hot water will remove all of the moisture and essential oils from your hair. Instead, use lukewarm water.
5) Moisturizing
Moisturize your hair and scalp. Oil massage will help you keep the hair moisturized and massaging the scalp will improve blood circulation. This will also help in getting rid of split ends.6) Combing and detangling
Combing your hair properly should be an important element of your hair care regimen. Hair damage can be caused by using the wrong comb or brushing too much. Always use a wide-toothed comb to prevent hair follicles from breaking. Combing harshly may break your hair follicles easily.According to experts, there is no particular rule on how many times you should brush your hair every day. In most cases, once a day should adequate. The main goal of combing is to protect hair from becoming tangled. It's best to detangle your hair before showering if you have lengthy hair. Avoid combing wet hair. Comb only when your hair is dry. Try to wash your comb once a week.
7) Hairstyling
Avoid hairstyles that are too tight. Also, avoid using hair styling equipment such as hair straighteners and hair curlers regularly. Exposure to heat can heavily damage your hair.
8) Trim your hair regularly
Trimming your hair is a good hair care practice. It does not improve hair growth but trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks is a good thing to avoid split ends.
Is oiling really necessary for your hair care routine?
Oils cover the space between cuticle cells, protecting the follicle from irritants. However, using it excessively can damage. Oiling hair practically every day as part of a daily routine is recommended by Ayurveda, though this may not be feasible for everyone. So, oiling three times a week is sufficient. Do not oil your hair frequently, if you have oily scalp.
Warm oil massages are thought to be more effective than cold oil massages because the heat promotes blood circulation, which increases nutrient availability to hair follicles. Hair absorbs oil more readily when it is warmer. Overheating might cause the nutrients to be destroyed.
Best oils that can be used;
COCONUT OIL
Lauric acid is the most prominent fatty acid in coconut oil. It has a good compatibility for hair protein, which means it may quickly bind to it and penetrate the hair shaft. This makes coconut oil one of the most effective oils for preventing protein loss in both damaged and healthy hair.
ALMOND OIL
Almond oil can soften and nourish your hair. It is rich in vitamin B-7, also known as biotin, which helps to keep hair and nails healthy and strong. With a natural SPF of 5, it can also help protect your hair from sun damage. Almond oil can be used as a scalp treatment.
SESAME OIL
Sesame oil is abundant in Vitamin B1, calcium, copper, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. Sesame oil also soothes the hair shaft and gives deep conditioning to the scalp. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties may aid in dandruff prevention.
AMLA OIL
Amla oil is good source Of Vitamin c, Vitamin E, and antioxidants, all of which may help with cellular regeneration and circulation in the scalp's blood vessels. These characteristics may aid hair and skin growth as well as improve the general health of the scalp. Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties are also found in Amla oil.
OLIVE OIL
Olive oil has protective properties because it coats the hair shaft and shields keratin. Olive oil protects against heat damage, offers a sleek look and shine, hydrates, and restores the health of damaged and broken hair.