Hair Tips to Consider
Hair Tips to Consider
Author: Jenna White | San Francisco Hairstylist
May 31st, 2022
May 31st, 2022
We hear so many hair care recommendations, but which ones are right for you? Everyone's hair is unique and will respond plus adapt differently to a hair care tactic. Below I've given an overview of different recommendations I often give to clients, along with a comparison of why it does or does not work for different hair types. Use the overview to adjust your hair routine as needed.
Train Hair to be "Less Oily" by Washing Less
Not Recommended For: People who feel their hair becomes drier during infrequent washing should avoid this method. The question you should really be addressing is "how often should I shampoo?". The answer depends on your hair's density, health and the type of shampoo plus conditioner you use.
Recommended For: People who like the way their hair styles better 1 - 3 days (or more) after washing it.
Note: The theory that you could "train" your scalp to be less oily was disproven in 1982 by Kligman and Shelley. Washing your hair has no effect on the amount of oil produced by your sebaceous glands, which depends on hormonal and genetic factors. Additionally, your sebaceous glands have no way of responding to oils on the surface of your scalp.
Recommended For: People who like the way their hair styles better 1 - 3 days (or more) after washing it.
Note: The theory that you could "train" your scalp to be less oily was disproven in 1982 by Kligman and Shelley. Washing your hair has no effect on the amount of oil produced by your sebaceous glands, which depends on hormonal and genetic factors. Additionally, your sebaceous glands have no way of responding to oils on the surface of your scalp.
Don't Brush Hair When It's Wet
Not Recommended For: Hair that is more fragile when it's dry versus when it's wet. This is common for hair that is fine and/or has been chemically over-processed with color, perms or relaxers.
Recommended For: Hair that is already tough to detangle when dry (common for curly hair), and becomes more so when wet.
Note: The exception to these recommendation pointers is when hair has been undressed or teased. In that scenario, all hair types should comb their hair out while dry before wetting it.
Recommended For: Hair that is already tough to detangle when dry (common for curly hair), and becomes more so when wet.
Note: The exception to these recommendation pointers is when hair has been undressed or teased. In that scenario, all hair types should comb their hair out while dry before wetting it.
Don't Apply Conditioner at Your Roots
Not Recommended For: People with thicker hair, hair that tangles easily or those who have a dry scalp (and thus have less natural oils in their hair).
Recommended For: People with hair that becomes greasy at the roots quickly, which commonly requires daily washing. Avoiding conditioner on your roots eliminates additional residue that could weigh hair down and flatten it.
Recommended For: People with hair that becomes greasy at the roots quickly, which commonly requires daily washing. Avoiding conditioner on your roots eliminates additional residue that could weigh hair down and flatten it.
Use Sulfate-Free Products
Not Recommended For: People who use a lot of product in their hair, and therefore need a stronger shampoo to remove build up.
Recommended For: People who shampoo 2 - 3 times per week, and feel that their hair is naturally drier, or have undergone chemical processing like color, perms or relaxers.
Note: The best way to see if sulfate-free products are right for you is to try them and see how your hair reacts. It is also a matter of preference whether you want to be using sulfate-free products in general, which is important to some people who prefer natural products.
Recommended For: People who shampoo 2 - 3 times per week, and feel that their hair is naturally drier, or have undergone chemical processing like color, perms or relaxers.
Note: The best way to see if sulfate-free products are right for you is to try them and see how your hair reacts. It is also a matter of preference whether you want to be using sulfate-free products in general, which is important to some people who prefer natural products.
Use Silicone-Free Products
Not Recommended For: People who prefer stronger frizz control and smoothing.
Recommended For: People who prefer more volume in their hair and wash it 2 - 3 times per week.
Note: The best way to see if silicone-free products are right for you is to try them and see how your hair reacts. It is also a matter of preference whether you want to be using silicone-free products in general, which is important to some people who prefer natural products. Silicone can also be found in shampoos and conditioners, so to go completely "silicone-free" you should check the ingredient lists on the ones you're using.
Recommended For: People who prefer more volume in their hair and wash it 2 - 3 times per week.
Note: The best way to see if silicone-free products are right for you is to try them and see how your hair reacts. It is also a matter of preference whether you want to be using silicone-free products in general, which is important to some people who prefer natural products. Silicone can also be found in shampoos and conditioners, so to go completely "silicone-free" you should check the ingredient lists on the ones you're using.
Use Coconut Oil from Your Kitchen
Not Recommended For: People with courser hair texture, where coconut oil can lead to a layer of protein build up. This blocks much needed moisture from reaching the hair shaft.
Recommended For: People with fine to medium hair texture that wash their hair 2 - 3 times per week with moisturizing shampoos and conditioners (see my post on Hygral Fatigue).
Note: I personally don't recommend single ingredient products to my clients (ex: coconut oil or avocado oil) because over time the issue of protein build up can become a problem for all hair types. Many people try this method because their parents used to do it, but there are more advanced product options on the market today.
Recommended For: People with fine to medium hair texture that wash their hair 2 - 3 times per week with moisturizing shampoos and conditioners (see my post on Hygral Fatigue).
Note: I personally don't recommend single ingredient products to my clients (ex: coconut oil or avocado oil) because over time the issue of protein build up can become a problem for all hair types. Many people try this method because their parents used to do it, but there are more advanced product options on the market today.
Apply Hair Oils to Your Scalp and Hair to Keep it Healthy
Not Recommended For: People who feel that oil-based products weigh their hair down.
Recommended For: People with thicker hair that perform regular hair detoxes.
Note: Check out my post on Hair Oils.
Recommended For: People with thicker hair that perform regular hair detoxes.
Note: Check out my post on Hair Oils.
Only Use a Small Amount of Product
Not Recommended For: People with hair that is porous and genuinely needs more product. This is common with curly hair.
Recommended For: People who feel their hair is weighed down by too much product.
Recommended For: People who feel their hair is weighed down by too much product.
Don't Brush Your Hair Often
Not Recommended For: Hair that tangles easily, and therefore needs to be brushed daily.
Recommended For: People who feel that brushing their hair adds frizz.
Recommended For: People who feel that brushing their hair adds frizz.
Use a Boar Bristle Brush on Your Scalp
Not Recommended For: People with scalp conditions (ex: abrasions).
Recommended For: Those with a healthy scalp looking for exfoliation.
Note: Only use this technique if it does not cause discomfort.
Recommended For: Those with a healthy scalp looking for exfoliation.
Note: Only use this technique if it does not cause discomfort.
Let Your Hair Air Dry
Not Recommended For: People with hair that takes a long time to air dry. Use a blowdryer set on low heat or sit by a fan to speed up the drying time.
Recommended For: People with hair that naturally dries quickly (ex: within 15 - 20 minutes).
Note: Your hair is more fragile when wet, so it's better to dry it after washing to prevent breakage.
Recommended For: People with hair that naturally dries quickly (ex: within 15 - 20 minutes).
Note: Your hair is more fragile when wet, so it's better to dry it after washing to prevent breakage.
Use Hair Masks Regularly
Not Recommended For: People with finer hair that feel their strands are weighed down by heavier conditioners.
Recommended For: People with thicker hair who feel conditioning treatments make their hair more manageable (check out my post on Deep Conditioning Your Hair).
Recommended For: People with thicker hair who feel conditioning treatments make their hair more manageable (check out my post on Deep Conditioning Your Hair).
Only Shampoo the Scalp Area
Not Recommended For: People who feel their hair is naturally more oily, and therefore need to shampoo from root to end.
Recommended For: People who feel their ends are “puffy”. This can be caused by the hair's density, lightening the hair through color processes like balayage, and overuse of heat tools.
Recommended For: People who feel their ends are “puffy”. This can be caused by the hair's density, lightening the hair through color processes like balayage, and overuse of heat tools.