Haircare is a tricky subject for some people because hair has several types and textures that need to be considered when trying products. Nevertheless, with the right knowledge of what to do and what not to do with the following steps, it can help keep your hair healthy and happy!
Step 1: Identify your hair type
Understanding your hair type can help you try products that cater to your specific needs. Hair type refers to the curls pattern or lack thereof exhibited by your hair when it falls naturally. The amount of curling is based on the shape of the hair follicle. Oval or asymmetrical follicles give rise to curlier hair, circular for straight hair and almost crescent for wavy hair.
Additionally, there are sub-types under each hair pattern for you to tend to your hair effectively. Overall there are four hair types and they are as follows:
1. Straight hair - If your hair falls flat from the roots to the tips, you have straight hair. There is a high amount of hair oils secreted at the root and this gives it a soft and silky texture.
2. Wavy hair - If your hair falls with a slight curl at the ends with maybe a few curves in the mid sections, you have wavy hair.
3. Curly hair - If your hair follows fixed loose curls that stay in shape even after combing them out, you have curly hair. This hair type is usually frizzy, prone to tangles, and thus requires more conditioning than the other hair types.
4. Coily hair - If your hair follows very tight curls, zig-zag patterns, and is prone to shrinkage, you have coily hair. Coily hair is usually very coarse and porous and thus dry. Shrinkage refers to the length your hair looks when it curls so for example if your hair is actually 18” long, it may look 9-10” if you have coiled hair.
There is another category under which you have to identify your hair type and this is the last category for sure! Based on how much oil is secreted from your scalp and how quickly your hair absorbs it, we have three major hair types; oily, normal, and dry hair. You can test this for yourself by dabbing your hair with a tissue on the second day after washing it. If you notice a small amount of oil on the tissue, you have normal hair, if you see nothing on it, you have dry
hair, and if your hair is sticking to your scalp or to other strands, you have oily hair.
Step 2: Finding products for your hair
Now that you know what curl pattern your hair follows and what your oil secretions look like, you can now look at what products you can use. As a prerequisite, you should have a shampoo, conditioner, and an optional hair oil or hair treatment. Your shampoo should be able to cleanse your hair from the excess dust or grime settled on it.
For oily hair, you can use a deep cleansing shampoo to remove excess oil from your scalp. You can oil your hair around 2-5 hours prior to washing it with a light oil that isn’t very greasy. Shampoo your hair every few days based on how fast it gets oily instead of washing it every day. This can strip your hair to a very dry state where your scalp will be forced to produce more oils to keep it hydrated. On the other side, having overly greasy hair can lead to itching and can become a festering ground for fungal and dandruff growth because of the excess sebum that is produced. Additionally, using a good conditioner that can nourish your hair enough to keep it healthy is well enough for it to last till the next wash.
For normal hair, a shampoo and conditioner duo that cleanses and keeps your hair clean should do the trick. Oil your hair every week and wash it weekly once or twice and not more than that.
For dry hair, you need to find a shampoo with non-stripping ingredients and a conditioner that is hydrating. Dry hair can also lead to a flaky scalp that can induce dandruff and itchiness. Therefore, using a shampoo and hair treatment that can aid with dandruff and itchiness will be helpful.
Step 3: Maintain the routine
Wear protective hairstyles like braids or silk bonnets to bed to save your hair from breakage and use combs/brushes that are not very sharp and abrasive on the hair. Avoid excessively damaging your hair with harsh products like bleach and sulphates present in hair dyes. You can indulge in hair coloring with minimal damage by treating it with nourishing products such as toners and bond-building oils that strengthen the hair from within.
Avoid wearing your hair up in a tightly bound bun or ponytail as this pulls the hair from its roots and can lead to breakage and pushing back of the hairline. Using satin scrunchies or rubber bands can be the safest alternative to thin and stringy bands that are nearly impossible to remove from your hair without feeling immense pain.
Now that you have a routine in place that works the best for you, you must try your best to maintain it. You can make changes to it as the weather progresses or if you find a product that works better. Remember, your routine need not be perfect, but it should work the best for you.
To find products specific to your hair type and other hair products, head on to our home page and shop for hair care with ease!
