The start of the new year signifies a new chapter in everyone’s life. Everyone looks forward to a new change and what better way to bring some of that than to have a new look to start your year. But before we get into styling, you need to prioritize your hair health first. Our hair just like our skin also needs some TLC. When your hair is healthy, styling definitely comes easy.

Here’s how you can maintain healthy hair so you can flaunt your crowning glory all year round. 

1. Wash Your Hair Regularly, as needed. 

Washing your hair regularly frees your hair and scalp from dirt and excess oil. The right frequency depends on the type of hair you have. Although it’s extremely hygienic to wash your hair regularly, most people do not need to wash their hair every day. Oily hair always gets a bad rep, but having oily hair isn’t always a bad thing. The sebum your hair produces contributes to shiny and healthy-looking hair. Too much shampoo can rather strip off your hair its natural oils which can lead to dry and coarse hair that can be difficult to style. 

If you have extremely dry hair, you do not need to wash your hair every single day. Limit your washing to at least twice a week. For those with an oily scalp, wash your hair on alternate days to keep your head clean and healthy. 

2. Trim your Hair Regularly 

Due to many factors that can affect your hair health, such as heat and wrong hair products, your hair can become prone to breakage. Trimming your hair can help facilitate healthy hair growth from the roots by removing the damaged hair which is mostly characterized by dry strands and split ends causing your hair to get brittle. Getting rid of split ends helps reduce hair breakage that makes hair look thinner at the ends. 

Hair grows an average of a quarter-inch every month. For those with short hair, hair trimming can be every 4 to 8 weeks, while those with medium to long hair can trim their hair every 6 to 12 weeks. Doing this routine can help your hair maintain its healthy look which makes styling a lot easier. 

3. Maintain a Balance Diet 

The hair is basically made up of a tough protein called Keratin. Consuming foods rich in protein can help distribute the nutrient throughout the body which helps facilitate hair growth. Good sources of these nutrients are meat, poultry products, fish, beans, some fruits, and vegetables. Aside from protein-rich foods, consume foods rich in Vitamin C and E to help promote collagen production for stronger hair and healthy skin. 

4. Use the Right Shampoo and Conditioner

Shampooing your hair helps clean your scalp from accumulated dirt and sweat. When shampooing, massage your scalp using your fingertips. Squirt a small amount, lather, and massage it on your scalp up to the tips. Applying shampoo strips off your hair from oils including the essential oils that make the hair dry by removing all the essential oils responsible for keeping your hair moisturized. Use only enough shampoo. The frequency of washing your hair may vary based on the texture of your hair. Using shampoo twice or thrice a week is enough to keep your hair clean. Go for gentle shampoos with fewer chemicals. 

When conditioning your hair, apply only on the tips of the hair and not on your scalp and rinse it off completely. Use a high-quality conditioner after shampooing to bring back some moisture to your strands. Dry your wet hair with a clean towel before applying a conditioner. Apply the conditioner with special focus on the ends of the hair and not on the roots.

5. Protect Your Hair From Heat

Too much heat exposure can cause hair damage. UV rays from the sun can damage the hair by oxidizing it until it dries out. Wear a hat or a scarf to protect your hair and scalp when the sun is too hot. Avoid hot showers as it can strip your hair off of its natural oils leaving it dry and flaky.

Hot tools are great for styling and make our hair more put together, but over time, it can cause the hair some serious damage. Blow drying can make your hair look beautiful but it can also bring damage to your scalp. Try to minimize heat styling and limit doing so on a special occasion or bad hair days. Air drying or towel drying after washing your hair is the best way to dry your hair. 

There isn’t a secret and instant hack to having healthier hair. If you want your hair to look great all year round, you need to be able to commit to a routine that can benefit your hair. But with small twists to your regular hair care routine, maintaining healthy hair can be effortless.