5 All-Purpose Hair Health and Care Tips

There’s a multi-billion dollar industry for hair loss cures. Some analysts have claimed that the hair ‘regrowth’ industry could soon reach into the trillions of dollars, as transplants and other medically backed treatments become the norm. All this, surprisingly enough, is for a treatment that needn’t be used by the majority of people, provided they can take care of their hair while it’s plentiful.

Male pattern baldness is somewhat uncontrollable, however, with genetics playing a major role in determining how long hair will continue to grow for. Similarly, many attributes of hair that some of us think of as undesirable – frizziness, colour, and natural parting – are unfixable, and are often just best left ignored. However, there are reasons to take care of your hair while you’re blessed with it.

These four all-purpose hair health and care tips can help you keep your hair of hair – be it a short, razor-clipped do or a long flowing style – clear of any issues. For men, they can prevent baldness and potential hair loss in later life. For women, they can help you keep your hair shiny and healthy in a way that no shampoo or miracle cure can. Hair matters – use these tips to keep yours stunning.

1.    Always rinse and repeat.

‘Rinse and repeat’ might just be the most successful phrase in history. The all-purpose hair health advice has effectively doubled the demand for shampoo, causing customers to shoot through their supply in just half the standard time. But it’s a marketing message that’s grounded in reality, as it’s often disastrous to shampoo your hair just once when in the shower or bath.

Why? Hair that’s improperly washed can often remain greasy, flakey, or full of dead skin long after it’s dried and brushed through. It’s also a leading cause of frizzy, unsightly hair. Stop your hair from becoming a mess by washing it twice every time – once with a large amount with shampoo, and the second time with a slightly smaller, less concentrated dose to clean missed patches.

2.    Use conditioner properly.

While most people use conditioner to keep their hair soft and silky, few use it properly. Throwing a blob of conditioner in your hair after washing achieves nothing, especially if it’s left in your hair for too long after your shower. Likewise, conditioner is fairly useless when it’s forced into hair which is soaked in water, loaded with shampoo, or packed with styling ingredients and other chemicals.

Use conditioner in clean, dry hair, and wash it out after it’s sat in your hair for a while. While there’s no set amount of conditioner that’s recommended, it’s best to use a smaller dose than one that is too large. Be conservative in your conditioner usage, and make sure it’s thoroughly washed out before drying your hair.

3.    Don’t obsess over brands – look at ingredients.

Here’s a little secret about the hair care industry: it’s mostly marketing. While some messages like ‘rinse and repeat’ are grounded in reality and worth listening to, the vast majority of hair products use advertising tactics that, in many ways, aren’t reflective of their value. From premium brands to ‘miracle’ hair treatments, it’s better to look at the ingredients than the way products are promoted.

If you’re comparing dyes and bleaches, ‘organic’ shampoos, or other premium hair care products, do so using their ingredients as a metric, not the claims on their packaging. Results are always variable and never fixed, so judging different products by their brand and marketing strategy isn’t a great way to find out which ones are effective, which ones are duds, and which ones are priced fairly.

4.    Eat a balanced diet – it keeps your hair healthy.

All the hair products in the world can’t make up for a poor diet. Unhealthy hair colour, hair loss, and even unsightly tangles and frizziness can often stem from poor eating habits and food choices. With busy schedules and demanding social lives, many people turn to fast food and other processed foods out of convenience and affordability.

Don’t. Eat healthy, eat organic, and eat foods that aren’t going to leave you without the minerals that are required for everyday life. From vitamin supplements to whole foods, meats and dairy products to green vegetables, consuming a balanced diet will help you prevent hair loss, split ends, and other annoying hair health effects.