Take Care of Your Long Hair with These 8 Key Tips

Scalp Care

Everything starts with the scalp. A healthy scalp creates the ideal environment for hair growth and health. Proper scalp care helps blood and nutrients reach the hair follicles, resulting in stronger hair and reduced hair loss. To remove excess oil, impurities, and product buildup, wash your scalp with a daily shampoo. Don’t forget to gently massage your scalp with your fingertips (avoiding contact with your nails) while shampooing to improve blood circulation and stimulate the hair follicles. Scientific studies have also shown that proper, professional scalp massages are beneficial for rejuvenating and revitalizing the scalp.

Applying Oil to Hair Twice a Week

Massaging the scalp with warm oil is one of the best ways to care for long hair. This not only promotes relaxation but also increases hair thickness. The oil nourishes the hair roots, supports growth and strength, and rejuvenates the hair strands. For example, scientific studies have confirmed the effect of lavender on promoting hair growth. To massage the scalp and boost hair growth, use coconut, lavender, or almond oil as follows:

1. First, apply warm oil to the scalp and gently massage with your fingertips.

2. Apply oil to the hair shafts as well.

3. For better oil absorption, wrap a warm towel around your head for 10 minutes.

4. After 1 to 2 hours, wash your hair with a gentle shampoo and cool water.

Reducing the Frequency of Shampoo Use

The purpose of using shampoo is to remove dirt and oil from the hair and scalp. However, daily use of shampoo can dry out, frizz, and make the hair brittle. Some shampoos contain sulfates, and overuse of them can damage the hair; therefore, choosing a sulfate-free shampoo based on your hair type and needs is very important. For long hair care, use a gentle shampoo to avoid stripping the natural oils from your hair. It’s also better to apply shampoo to your scalp first and then let the lather reach the lower parts of the hair. Wash your hair gently, as wet hair is softer and rough washing can cause damage and breakage.

Drying Hair Gently

Never dry your hair roughly, as this causes breakage. Gently dry your hair with a soft towel or an old t-shirt and allow the air to dry your hair completely. Do not use bath towels to dry your hair, as this causes roughness, tangling, frizz, and unevenness. Instead, use microfiber towels, which are thin and highly absorbent. These towels help reduce drying time. You can also use an anti-frizz serum designed for this purpose to reduce frizz. It is better to let your hair dry in the open air, so try to limit the use of blow dryers and hair straighteners as much as possible. The hot air from a blow dryer causes the natural moisture of the hair to evaporate, leading to split ends.

Using a Wide-Tooth Comb

Long hair easily gets tangled, but you can easily solve this problem by combing the hair strands daily (except for curly hair). For this, it’s better to use a wide-tooth comb. Additionally, using a leave-in conditioner spray helps you easily untangle your hair. When your hair is slightly dry, start combing from the lower part of the hair and gradually move upward. This helps to detangle the hair and prevents pulling, hair loss, and damage. Also, using a brush made from natural fibers is ideal for distributing the scalp’s natural oils throughout the hair. Wet hair is more prone to stretching and breaking than dry hair, so avoid brushing wet hair. If you want to smooth out tangles in wet hair, do it gently with your fingers. Most of the tips mentioned for washing and combing apply to straight, long hair care. Caring for curly hair is done differently at certain stages due to its unique structure.

Trimming the Hair Ends

Contrary to what you might expect, regularly trimming the ends of your hair helps prevent split ends and breakage, which can make your hair look dull, thin, and rough. Trim the ends of your hair every 6 to 8 weeks to minimize damage and allow your hair to grow healthily.

Reducing the Use of Hair Styling Heat Tools

Excessive use of heat styling tools like flat irons or curlers can damage your hair. These tools can reduce the thickness and shine of your hair, making it dull and dry. Therefore, it’s better to reduce the use of these tools for long hair care. You can wrap wet hair in a microfiber towel to let it air-dry and curl naturally without heat. However, if you do decide to use a blow dryer or any other heat styling tool, make sure to use a heat protectant spray beforehand. Heat protectant products create a protective barrier on the hair shaft, preventing damage and giving the hair a smooth, frizz-free finish.

Drinking Enough Water

Dehydration can lead to a dry scalp and make your hair brittle, frizzy, and thin. Drinking water contains elements like zinc, copper, iron, and calcium, all of which impact hair health. Water consumption also strengthens the hair roots and helps prevent breakage.