When you shampoo your hair, use the tips of your fingers to gently pull the shampoo through your hair instead of roughly scrubbing it in. Rinse your shampoo using cool or lukewarm water; hot water is extra damaging to dry hair. Then, seal the cuticle with cold water as you rinse out your conditioner. When you’re done, gently squeeze excess water from your hair instead of twisting and wringing it out. Pat it dry with a towel.
When you first cut back, you’ll notice your scalp producing a lot of oil, since it’s used to having to overproduce to make up for how much gets washed out. Give it a week or two and you’ll find that things balance out; you’ll be able to go several days in between washings without your hair looking dirty. If your roots start looking a little oily, dry shampoo is a great way to remedy the problem without washing your hair.
When you first start letting your hair air dry, you might not be thrilled with the results. Give it some time; after a month or so of treating your hair gently, your beautiful natural texture will finally get the chance to shine through. When you just have to style your hair with a dryer (which should be done only on special occasions), use the warm or cool setting on your dryer, and keep it several inches from your head. Be sure to use a heat protectant product, too, to minimize damage to your strands.
If you have tangles, work them out by combing out the tangles near the tips of your hair first, then working your way up gradually to your roots. If you comb straight through from the roots, you’ll break your hair. You can also use your fingers to gently work out tangles. Apply some conditioner and massage the tangles until they come out.
Using heat styling tools like curling irons, hot rollers, or straighteners (consider options that don’t require heat). Dyeing, bleaching, or highlighting (try a natural alternative).
If your hair is extremely dry, you might want to consider a leave-in conditioner as well. This will protect your hair from drying out during the day, helping it stay shiny and manageable. These are especially great for curly hair, which is more likely to be dry. If your hair looks dull and lifeless after conditioning, you might want to switch your conditioner. Look for one made with nourishing natural oils and free of silicones.
Dampen your hair and apply one to two tablespoons of deep conditioner. Make sure it coats every strand of your hair by using a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to pull it through from roots to tips. Cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap. Let it sit for at least an hour or up to overnight. Apply gentle heat with a blow dryer on a low setting if you don’t have time to let the mask sit overnight. This helps the product penetrate into the hair. Shampoo your hair as normal to wash it out. It may require a second shampoo to get rid of all the remaining residue.
2 tablespoons honey One mashed banana or avocado 2 tablespoons plain yogurt 1 beaten egg A combination of any of the above
Argan oil Olive oil Coconut oil Jojoba oil
Wait until the night before you plan to wash your hair, since that’s when your roots will have plenty of oil. Comb out any tangles using a wide-toothed comb. Pull the brush through your hair from your scalp down to the tips. Repeat several times over the same section of hair before moving on. Continue until you’ve brushed out all of your hair. It should feel soft and silky when you’re finished. Wait an hour or two before shampooing.
As a bonus, head massages help to reduce stress and ease headaches. Try an oil massage for an extra boost. Massage coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil or jojoba oil into your scalp, then wash it out when you’re finished.
Sulfates: found in shampoo and other cleansers, these strip away your natural oils and leave your hair dry. Silicones: found in conditioners, these build up in your hair and cause it to look dull after a while. Alcohols: found in styling products, these contribute to dryness.
Eat plenty of nutritious foods known to benefit the hair. Aim to get plenty of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and iron. Choose salmon, sardines, nuts, avocados, and flaxseeds. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. This prevents your hair from drying out. Avoid smoking. The smoke from cigarettes can end up damaging your hair.
Wear a sun hat to keep your hair shaded if you’ll be in the sun all day. In the pool, protect your hair from chemicals by wearing a swim cap. In very cold weather, protect your hair from cold, dry air by wearing a warm hat.
