Young, smiling Asian woman touching her hair while taking a selfie

There's no shortcut to gorgeous, lustrous locks. It's a result of the time and effort you put into developing good hair hygiene. But caring for your mane doesn't have to be too complicated. These self-care tips for hair are easily incorporated into your routine and can be applied to all hair types. Practice these hair care basics to shower your strands with some well-deserved pampering.

Skip the Hot Water

Ever wondered how to wash hair properly? Here's a tip: Minimize the use of hot water. Your hair is naturally hydrophobic. But if your strands go through coloring, heat styling, and chemical treatments, it becomes more porous and fragile, swelling and stretching when wet. Too much stretching makes it more prone to breakage.

Although hot water helps dissolve dirt, grease, and residue on hair, it dries out your strands, scalp, and skin, stripping it of its natural oils. So, if you want to take a hot shower, go ahead. But when it comes to your hair, try rinsing it with cold water to help it retain more moisture, and leave it looking shinier.

Use Mild Shampoo

How often should you wash your hair? That would depend on many factors – hair type, texture, genetics, and lifestyle. But according to a study published in The International Journal of Trichology, you shouldn't focus on how often you clean your hair. Instead, it's about choosing to use a mild shampoo. Reach for a gentle, silicone-free formula like Dove Botanical Silicone Free Shampoo for Fresh Hair Clarify. It effectively cleans the scalp and strands without damaging them.

Massage Your Scalp

Your scalp is an essential part of hair care, and the same study in The International Journal of Trichology showed healthy hair texture is related to the scalp’s condition. Adding a to your routine can help stimulate blood circulation in the scalp and lead to better hair growth. It also helps clear flakes, relieve muscle tension, and relax you.

Apply Hair Oil

Applying a nourishing hair oil can help protect your strands from damage. A study on hair cosmetics in The International Journal of Trichology showed that using as a pre-wash and post-wash treatment helped reduce protein loss for damaged and undamaged hair. 

Boost the protective power of coconut oil by pairing it with TRESemmé Detox & Nourish Serum Conditioner. This product helps detangle hair, minimize frizz, and .

Protect Your Hair From Heat Styling

Hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons can give you the look you've always wanted. But these styling methods can be abrasive to hair, chipping away at the cuticle and causing dryness, damage, and . Safeguard your strands when ironing, curling, or blow-drying with a heat protectant– a must-have product for healthy hair.

Get Regular Trims

A routine trim can help keep your hair healthy by chopping off split ends. It's one of the oldest self-care tips in the book. Removing those damaged ends can make your hair look healthier, fuller, and longer since split ends travel slowly up the shaft, causing damage to the hair and slowing down its growth. Besides, can be a relaxing experience.

Use a Wide-Tooth Comb

A wide-toothed comb is gentle on hair – wet or dry. It helps minimize snagging to prevent breakage. Hair is more fragile when wet and prone to damage. Using a wide-toothed comb, untangle the ends first and then slowly work your way up to avoid pulling and tugging at the roots.

Get Proper Nutrition

Self-care tips don't just cover personal grooming. You gotta eat right, too. There have been numerous studies on the link between diet and hair health. Sudden weight loss or lack of protein intake can cause excess shedding and temporary hair loss. Support hair strength and growth by eating a balanced diet and getting your daily nutrient requirement. 

Promote healthier, longer hair with Sunsilk Strong & Long Shampoo. It contains biotin and aloe vera, which work together to nourish strands deeply and help your hair grow stronger.

If you're looking to take care of yourself in a new way, try these self-care tips for hair and enjoy the confidence boost that soft, silky, healthy hair gives you.