Table of Contents
Introduction
Your hair is one of the first things people notice about you. Within moments of meeting someone, they’re forming impressions based on your appearance—and your hair plays a significant role in that first impression. Whether in professional settings or social situations, healthy, well-maintained hair communicates confidence, care, and attention to detail.
The challenge is that many people unknowingly damage their hair through well-intentioned but misguided practices. Over-washing strips natural oils, excessive heat styling causes breakage, frequent coloring leaves hair dry and brittle, and poor conditioning leaves hair weak and dull.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about taking better care of your hair: the science behind healthy hair, proper washing and conditioning techniques, protective styling, color care, and lifestyle habits that support long-term hair health. Follow these evidence-based practices, and you’ll see dramatic improvements in your hair’s appearance, texture, and strength.
The Top Ways To Take Better Care Of Your HairÂ
This is why it makes perfect sense that you would pull out all of the stops to make sure that you look your best and investing in an auto hair curler so that you look amazing every single day is money that you need to invest today. This will help you to look fantastic but in order to be able to control your hair with such a device, you need to learn how to take better care of it. The following are some of the top ways that will allow you to do that this year and every year after.
- Stop washing it all the time – You may think that you are keeping your hair clean but every time you put in shampoo, you are stripping your hair of its natural oils and this can not only damage your hair but your scalp also. You should only wash your hair when it actually feels dirty, so get yourself out of the habit of washing it every single day.
- Put on conditioner properly – The first thing is to make sure that you buy the right kind of hair conditioner for your particular hair type. Once you figure this out, be sure to apply the conditioner at the ends of your hair first and then work your way back. If you suffer from dry scalp then make sure you pay particular attention to this area as well.
- Go easy on the hair dye – It can be tempting to change your hair colour every single week so that you always look different and people will compliment you for that. The thing is that once you start putting on hair colour on a regular basis, your hair will become very dry and it will not look healthy at all. If you must put hair dye then spend money on a hair mask to repair it.
Other things that you need to know about are you should never try to brush your hair while it is still wet when you step out of the shower and if you must go swimming, then invest in a quality cap that will reduce the effects of the chlorine in the swimming pool. We get our fair share of the sun here in Australia, so wear a wide brimmed sun hat to protect your hair and your skin as well. If you follow these pieces of advice, your hair will look fantastic at all times.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Care
Q1: How often should I really wash my hair?
A:Â Depends on hair type (see section on optimal frequency), but generally:
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Straight/oily: 2–3 times weekly
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Wavy/combination: 2–3 times weekly
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Curly/coily: 1–2 times weekly
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Fine: 2–3 times weekly
The key is finding YOUR frequency (not what magazines say). If scalp feels greasy sooner, you may still be in the adjustment period (2–3 weeks). Push through and scalp will regulate.
Q2: Is it bad to wash my hair every day?
A:Â Yes, generally:
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Daily washing strips natural oils
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Scalp overcompensates with more oil
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Causes vicious cycle
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Makes hair drier and more prone to breakage
Exception: If you exercise daily and sweat profusely, dry shampoo between washes rather than washing daily.
Q3: Why is my hair so oily?
A:Â Most likely reasons:
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Over-washing: Most common cause—scalp produces excess oil in response
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Using heavy products:Â Buildup makes hair feel oily
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Not rinsing thoroughly:Â Shampoo/product residue makes hair greasy
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Using wrong shampoo:Â Non-sulfate shampoo may be too light
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Hormonal changes:Â Hormones affect oil production
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Underlying scalp condition:Â Seborrheic dermatitis, other conditions
Solutions:
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Reduce washing frequency (takes 2–3 weeks to adjust)
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Use clarifying shampoo to remove buildup
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Ensure thorough rinsing
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Try dry shampoo between washes
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See dermatologist if issue persists
Q4: How can I make my hair grow faster?
A:Â Hair growth is limited by genetics, but you can optimize:
What supports growth:
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Adequate nutrition (especially protein, iron, biotin)
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Good scalp health (massage stimulates blood flow)
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Minimizing damage (less breakage = longer hair length)
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Sleep and stress management
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Scalp massage (15 minutes daily improves circulation)
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Vitamins/supplements specifically designed for hair
What doesn’t work:
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Special shampoos claiming to accelerate growth
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Cutting hair “to make it grow faster” (myth)
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Expensive treatments without lifestyle support
Reality:
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Average growth: 6 inches yearly
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Genetics determines maximum potential
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Focus on minimizing breakage, not accelerating growth
Q5: What’s causing my hair loss?
A:Â Common causes:
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Telogen effluvium:Â Stress-triggered excessive shedding
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Iron deficiency:Â Blood test determines this
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Thyroid issues:Â Medical evaluation needed
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Nutritional deficiencies:Â Biotin, zinc, protein
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Over-styling:Â Mechanical damage and breakage
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Hormonal changes:Â Pregnancy, menopause, medication
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Pattern baldness:Â Genetic; see dermatologist
Action steps:
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See dermatologist for evaluation
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Blood work to check for deficiencies
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Reduce stress and heat styling
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Improve nutrition
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Use gentle hair care practices
Q6: Can I repair split ends?
A:Â Unfortunately, no.
Why splits can’t be “repaired”:
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Split end is break in hair shaft
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Hair is dead protein (cannot heal itself)
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“Repairing” products only seal temporarily
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They don’t reattach the split
What actually works:
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Trim split ends:Â Only real solution
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Prevent future splits:Â Minimize heat, protect ends, deep condition
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Seal with products:Â Smoothing serums temporarily make hair look better
Prevention is key:
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Deep condition weekly
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Minimize heat styling
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Avoid harsh brushing
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Use conditioning treatments
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Trim every 6–8 weeks
Q7: Should I use leave-in conditioner?
A:Â Depends on your hair type:
Beneficial for:
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Curly/coily hair (essential)
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Dry or damaged hair
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Color-treated hair
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Fine hair (use light formula)
How to use:
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Apply to damp hair
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Focus on mid-length and ends
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Don’t overuse (can make hair greasy)
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Start with small amount, add more if needed
Not necessary for:
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Very oily hair
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Very fine hair (unless damaged)
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Short hair
Q8: Is sulfate-free shampoo really better?
A:Â Yes, generally:
Why sulfate-free is better:
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Sulfates are harsh cleansers
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Strip natural oils excessively
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Can cause irritation
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Especially problematic for color-treated hair
Exceptions:
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Clarifying shampoo (occasional use) may contain sulfates
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Sulfate-free doesn’t clean as well for buildup
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Use sulfate-free regularly, sulfate clarifying occasionally
Cost:
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Sulfate-free often more expensive
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But gentler = less damage = healthier hair
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Worth the investment
Q9: How can I reduce frizz?
A:Â Multiple strategies work together:
Immediate frizz reduction:
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Smoothing serum or oil
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Anti-frizz products
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Blow dryer with diffuser
Long-term frizz reduction:
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Deep condition regularly (hydrated hair frizzles less)
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Use cool water rinses (seals cuticles)
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Minimize heat styling (damaged cuticles cause frizz)
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Use leave-in conditioner
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Protective styling (prevents friction)
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Humidity control (dehumidifier helps)
Styling for frizz control:
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Air dry with plopping method
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Use diffuser on low heat
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Braid or bun styling
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Gel or cream for hold
Q10: Is it okay to use conditioner only (no shampoo)?
A:Â Depends on hair type and water quality:
Works for:
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Curly/coily hair (ideal option)
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Dry hair
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Sensitive scalp
Doesn’t work for:
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Very oily hair
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Short hair
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Hard water areas (mineral buildup)
Method:
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Use lightweight conditioner
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Apply to entire hair
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Massage scalp gently
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Rinse thoroughly
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Monthly clarifying shampoo to remove buildup
Benefits:
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Gentler than shampoo
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Preserves more natural oils
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Works surprisingly well for many
Your Hair Care Action Plan
This Week
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Assess your current washing frequency
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Invest in quality sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner
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Begin reducing washing frequency (if washing daily)
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Start deep conditioning once weekly
This Month
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Establish sustainable washing and conditioning routine
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Minimize heat styling (try heat-free alternatives)
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Apply heat protectant every time you use heat
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Add nutritional support (adequate protein, biotin, iron)
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Get trim to remove split ends
This Quarter
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Assess results (hair should feel smoother, look shinier)
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Adjust products as needed based on results
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Protect from sun and chlorine strategically
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Continue weekly deep conditioning
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Notice improved strength and elasticity
Ongoing
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Maintain consistent routine
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Regular trims (every 6–8 weeks)
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Monitor for damage and adjust care
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Protect from environmental damage
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Support with nutrition and lifestyle
Final Thoughts: Hair is an Investment
Your hair is an investment in your appearance and confidence. With consistent, proper care, you can have healthy, beautiful, strong hair that makes a great first impression—every day.
The practices outlined in this guide aren’t complicated or expensive. They require:
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Understanding your hair’s needs
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Consistent, mindful care
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Patience through adjustment periods
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Protection from damage
Expected results:
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Shinier, healthier-looking hair
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Increased strength and reduced breakage
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Smoother texture
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More vibrant color (if colored)
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Hair that styles better and lasts longer
Start implementing these practices today. Within weeks, you’ll notice improvement. Within months, the transformation will be significant. Your future self—and everyone who meets you—will appreciate the effort.
