How to Have Healthy Hair

Co-authored by Christine George and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Approved

Long, luscious locks are a goal for many of us, but frizz and split ends can really put a damper on our style. Keeping your hair healthy overall will make it look smoother, shinier, and help you have more good hair days than bad ones. While healthy hair might not happen overnight, there are a few things you can do right away to start your healthy hair journey today.

1

Use silicone- and sulfate-free products.

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Silicones and sulfates dry your hair out and can make it frizzy. When you look for shampoo, conditioner, and any styling products, make sure they don’t include silicones or sulfates to keep your hair looking healthy and shiny. Most products will say “silicone- and sulfate-free” right on the bottle, so you won’t have to search hard. ^{[1]
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- You can also find natural products that don’t contain silicones or sulfates.
- Stay away from products with alcohol in them, too, since alcohol can dry out your hair.

2

Wash your hair 2 or 3 times per week.

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Washing your hair every day can dry it out. Stretch the time you go in between washes, and try to only wash your hair when it gets oily or greasy. Your hair and your scalp will thank you! ^{[2]
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- If you feel like your hair is getting dirty between washes, you can apply a dry shampoo on the days that you don't wash your hair. Just apply a small amount to your roots and then rub it throughout your hair to the ends. ^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Christine George
  Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
  
  Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.}

3

Use a conditioner every time you wash your hair.

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Lock in moisture and hydration with conditioner. Concentrate the conditioner on the ends of your hair, since those tend to be the most dry and damaged. Leave it on for 2 to 3 minutes before rinsing for shiny, healthy hair. ^{[4]
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- If your hair feels dry, try using a deep conditioner once a week or so.
- Or, follow up with a leave-in conditioner to add hydration even after your hair dries.

4

Pat your hair dry with a microfiber towel.

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Vicious rubbing or wringing can lead to frizz and dryness. Instead, use a microfiber towel to gently pat the water out so it’s not dripping wet anymore. Then, let it air dry the rest of the way. ^{[5]
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- Microfiber towels are better than cotton towels because they lead to less frizz.

5

Comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb.

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Typical hair brushes can make your hair frizzy. Whenever you need to brush your hair, hold your hair by the ends and start combing with short, light strokes. Slowly move your way up to the scalp until you can brush through all of your hair without getting stuck. ^{[6]
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- Your hair is pretty fragile when it’s wet. Try to brush it when it’s dry or damp after a shower.

6

Limit your use of heat styling devices.

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Let your hair air dry as much as possible, and use heat-free styles. Put away your hair dryer, straightener, curling iron, and hot rollers unless you have a special occasion at hand, and use them on the lowest setting. Applying heat to your hair can damage it, so it's best to let your hair air dry instead. However it may also be damaging to air dry your hair and it also can be inconvenient. It is preferred to let your hair slightly dry up and air dry and then blow dry your hair till it is completely dry. However, do keep in mind to use the cool setting on the blow dryer as you do this. ^{[7]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.}
- When you do use heat styling devices, use a heat protectant serum or spray beforehand to protect your locks.

7

Give your hair oil treatments once a week.

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When your hair is still wet from the shower, massage olive oil or almond oil into your hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap, then let the oil sit for at least 2 hours before rinsing it out. ^{[8]
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8

Use bleach and hair dye sparingly.

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Coloring or lightening your hair can dry it out and damage it. Try to use color and bleach as little as possible, especially if your hair is already damaged. Wait at least 8 to 10 weeks in between touch-ups or colors to give your hair a chance to rest. ^{[9]
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- Don’t use perms or relaxers if your hair is bleached or dyed. The combination of chemicals can really dry out your hair and damage it.
Anthony Dickey, Hair Stylist

The healthiest hair is left in its natural state, without exposing it to harsh chemical, heat, or mechanical damage. Handle hair gently, minimize heat styling, and avoid excessive processing to maintain its integrity.

9

Protect your hair from the elements.

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Sun, wind, and cold temperatures can damage and dry out your hair. When the sun is strong, wear a hat or scarf over your hair to protect it from getting too fried. If you’re going swimming, wear a swim cap and rinse your hair out as soon as you’re done. ^{[10]
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- Don't go outside during the winter with wet hair. When your hair freezes it can get brittle and frayed.

10

Get your hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks.

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Reduce your split ends and help your hair grow faster. Try to get a trim at least every 8 weeks, but push it to 10 or 12 if you don’t want to be in the salon so often. Keeping your hair trimmed will make sure the ends don't split very far up the shaft. Your hair will be less likely to break, and it will look healthy and full of life. ^{[11]
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- If you have bangs, you might need to get them trimmed every 3 weeks so they don’t cover your eyes.
- If you have short hair, you might need a trim every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain the shape.

11

Wear your hair in loose styles.

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Pulling your hair back tightly can cause damage. Instead of wearing tight ponytails, buns, or cornrows, try wearing your hair down or pulling it back loosely. Messy buns and low ponytails are great options when you want to keep your hair back without tying it super tightly. ^{[12]
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- Pulling your hair back super tightly can even cause hair loss.
- When you do put your hair up, make sure you’re using hair ties or rubber bands that are made specifically for hair.

12

Avoid long-lasting hair products.

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Gels and creams can build up in your hair, leading to problems. Flakes, greasiness, and irritation can all happen if you use too much of one product or leave it on for too long. If you do use a long-lasting hair product, wash it out at the end of the day to refresh your hair. ^{[13]
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Go to source}
- You should also give your hair a break from products every now and then, especially if you use them every day.

13

Eat a balanced diet.

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What you eat influences how well your hair grows. Maintain a balanced diet with plenty of protein, vitamin B, iron, and omega-3s helps your hair stay as thick and healthy as possible. ^{[14]
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- Vitamin B keeps hair thick and strong. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and nuts to get enough vitamin B.
- Eat beef, chicken, pork, fish and leafy greens like kale and spinach to get iron and protein.
- Salmon, walnuts, and avocados are excellent sources of omega-3s, which help your hair stay shiny and healthy.
- You can supplement your diet with vitamins designed to make hair stronger. Try prenatal vitamins, which contain a mix of ingredients that lead to great hair, nails, and skin.

How Can I Help My Hair Naturally Grow Thicker and Longer?

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Question

What can I do for fragile hair?

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

Christine George

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Answer

Avoid using products with coconut oil. Unlike other oils, it can lead to protein buildup on hair follicles, which causes hair to become drier and more brittle.

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What can you eat to make your hair grow?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Protein, especially when combined with healthy carbs, encourages hair growth. A balanced diet rich in nutrients is also important.

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Question

How do you keep your hair healthy?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

To keep hair healthy long term, avoid chemical treatments as much as possible, use gentle sulfate-free shampoo, and save heat styling for special occasions.

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Look for products that work well with your hair type.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Eat a balanced diet to get enough nutrients, and drink a lot of water. Being healthy in general can help make your hair healthy.
If you have thick hair, try leaving the conditioner in for around 15-20 minutes for even more hydration.

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Warnings

Beware of pills that claim to help hair grow better or help hair become healthier. Although not all of them are bad for you, some can be fake and harmful.

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How to Have Healthy Hair

Steps

Use silicone- and sulfate-free products.

Wash your hair 2 or 3 times per week.

Use a conditioner every time you wash your hair.

Pat your hair dry with a microfiber towel.

Comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb.

Limit your use of heat styling devices.

Give your hair oil treatments once a week.

Use bleach and hair dye sparingly.

Protect your hair from the elements.

Get your hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks.

Wear your hair in loose styles.

Avoid long-lasting hair products.

Eat a balanced diet.

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