Your hair plays a key role in the way you look and feel. Considering this, it is crucial to learn about your hair type in order to maintain your tresses properly. Also, it is important to note that maintaining your locks demands your time. Read ahead to know about an easy yet effective hair care routine that can be followed by both men and women for healthy hair. Further, get to know tips to maintain different hair types, amongst other things.
Daily Hair Care Routine for Men and Women
When it comes to hair care needs, men and women have a lot in common. That’s why there is no separate hair care routine for men and a different hair care routine for women.
Regardless of your gender, follow these six basic steps to get healthy hair and make it part of your hair care routine:
Step 1: Oil massage
When done right, oiling can transform the quality of your hair. An ancient Indian hair care practice, massaging coconut and almond oils on hair aids in strengthening the roots and nourishing hair cuticles that help you get thick, long, and healthy hair. Not just this, it is also considered an effective hair care routine for hair growth. Notably, oil massage helps boost the blood circulation in your scalp that can prevent hair loss and thinning. Biotin capsules can also support hair growth in people suffering hair thinning and loss due to biotin deficiency.
Further, massaging hair oil hydrates your scalp that keeps away roughness and flakes. For deeper penetration in the scalp and hair, it is a good idea to warm a few drops of oil by rubbing it between your fingers for a few seconds. Next, gently apply it to your scalp and massage it in a circular motion. Let it rest in your hair for a few hours before rinsing it off.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Oil and dirt accumulation can clog your hair follicles that may lead to hair fall, dandruff and fungal infection. Scalp exfoliation helps here, completing the best hair care routine. Use a scalp scrub with moisturising ingredients and no harmful chemicals once or twice a month to deep cleanse the oily and dandruff-prone scalp. Part your hair in equal sections and apply the scrub directly to your scalp. For a few minutes, gently massage the scrub and then rinse it off with a mild shampoo.
Step 3: Cleanse
Wet your hair thoroughly and gently massage a mild shampoo onto your scalp for 1-2 minutes. Now, spread the same foam on your hair strands and rinse it off thoroughly with warm water. It is to be noted that it is suggested to not wash your hair daily but twice or thrice a week. This way, the scalp is not stripped off its natural oils.
Step 4: Condition
The daily hair care routine is incomplete without a conditioner. Enhancing manageability and smoothness, conditioners help replenish moisture in your hair that keeps issues like split ends, frizz, and dryness, at bay. Apply a nourishing conditioner evenly to your hair strands, especially mid-lengths and ends, after washing them. And, leave it for 2 minutes before washing it off thoroughly. Besides, applying a hair mask every week for deep conditioning can act as an effective dry hair care routine. This can also work if you have damaged and rough hair.
Step 5: Treat
It is important to treat specific hair concerns like dandruff and chemically treated hair. A dandruff serum can help if you have flaking and dandruff issues. For chemically treated or damaged hair, a dermatologist can suggest bond treatments to soften and smoothen hair strands, often reversing the damage.
Step 6: Style
Effectively styling your hair is important to achieve beautiful locks. Prefer air drying and avoid using a hair dryer or blow-drying tools regularly. They can damage hair cuticles, making them dull, limp, and brittle. Besides, use a hair serum after drying your hair in order to retain moisture in your hair shafts, preventing frizz and flyaways. Besides the above-mentioned steps, you can also use a hair rinse before treatment to maintain the natural pH level of your hair. Popular in Korean hair care routine, a hair rinse is prepared by mixing apple cider vinegar in water.
Care Tips for Specific Hair Types
Every type of hair has unique characteristics which call for different maintenance needs. Here are some tips to deal with different hair types:
Straight Hair
As straight hair gets oily quickly, clean it thoroughly using a shampoo. This will leave your hair feeling soft and nourished. Also, spray a heat protectant and let it dry on your hair for a minute before using a hair straightener, curling iron, or blow dryer to reduce heat damage.
Wavy Hair
The hair care routine for wavy hair begins with using moderate, sulphate-free shampoos that reduce frizz and seal in moisture. Additionally, use a humidifier while blow-drying after shampooing your hair. This will disperse the heat evenly while emphasising natural waves. When the hair is nearly dry, secure these waves with a cool-setting hair dryer. This will not only reduce frizz, but also boost the shine.
Curly Hair
Deep-conditioning treatments form a vital part of the curly hair care routine. As curly hair is naturally drier because scalp oil has a harder time getting down the shaft, use a good conditioner or hair mask that deeply hydrates and nourishes hair. After deep conditioning, use a shower cap and warmed towel to prevent wet hair from drying. The heat aids in the better absorption of the conditioner into the hair.
Conclusion
All in all, the best hair care routine for men and women begins with oil massaging your hair; followed by scalp exfoliation. Next, you must wash your hair with a mild shampoo based on how often it gets dirty or oily. And, always use a nourishing conditioner after washing your hair. Also, be gentle with your hair. Besides, it is important to know your hair type so that you can take special care to keep them healthy.