The average person has approximately 100,000 hairs on their head at any given time, according to the Nemours Foundation, and healthy hair grows approximately 1/2 inch each month. This means hair is exposed to heat, environmental pollution, and chemicals for about two years before it reaches your shoulders. The Hair Foundation states that getting and keeping healthy, shiny, frizz-free hair involves daily care to protect it from thermal, chemical and physical injury.
Shampoo Less and Condition More
To avoid dry hair and scalp, shampoo only when truly necessary. In most cases, shampooing every three days is enough to remove dirt and keep oil under control.
Use a conditioner designed for your hair type and level of damage. Regular conditioners add moisture and temporarily smooth the cuticle to control frizz, making them ideal for unprocessed hair. Conditioning sprays protect against heat damage and minimize flyaway hair, and leave-in conditioners add shine and help dry hair retain moisture. Damaged hair requires treatment with an intensive conditioner to replenish moisture, help split ends, and reduce frizz. Brushing a small amount of natural oil, such as olive or safflower oil, through dry hair will also improve shine and replenish moisture. Rinsing with cold water or vinegar will close and smooth the cuticles to increase shine, according to Women Junction.
Prevent Heat Damage
Blow dryers, curling irons and flat irons leave hair brittle, dry and burnt. Avoiding these styling tools can significantly improve hair health. Air-dry hair whenever possible, at least until mostly dry, to minimize the time spent under the hairdryer. When you need to use a hairdryer, the Hair Foundation recommends using the lowest heat setting possible and warns that you should never use high heat on dry hair.
Avoid Over-Styling
Styling products, especially those containing alcohol, are drying and increase frizziness. They also strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it vulnerable to heat damage. Using too many styling products also causes a buildup on the hair that prevents conditioners from reaching the hair cuticle and leaves hair dull and flat. Using a clarifying shampoo once or twice each week, and before perming and coloring, will effectively remove this buildup. Rinsing the hair with vinegar is also beneficial.
Care for Processed Hair
Processed hair requires extra care and conditioning. Perming and straightening, especially, are damaging and drying to hair. To protect the hair, use the gentlest process available, wait as long as possible between processing, and seek professional help before applying color to permed or straightened hair. Use products that filter UV light from the sun to help protect your hair color. Avoid chlorine and saltwater to slow fading and lengthen the time between coloring.
Take Care of Your Scalp
In addition to proper and prompt treatment of dandruff, eczema and other scalp conditions, daily scalp massage is an important part of maintaining scalp health. Scalp massage increases circulation and loosens dead skin cells, both of which improve the health of the scalp and hair. HairStylesCut.com recommends massaging with warm olive oil for dry scalp and using equal parts mineral water and witch hazel for an oily scalp.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warns that hair coloring, perming and other types of hair processing products are harsh on the scalp, and recommends avoiding any products that cause scalp swelling, itching or other signs of allergic reaction or skin irritation.
