How to Get Healthy Hair No Matter Your Hair Type

Regardless of your hair type or length, the ultimate hair goal is to have healthy hair. Whether you’re dealing with damaged hair, color-treated hair or simply want to give your strands a boost, you’ve likely been scouring social media and search engine results in an attempt to learn all the tricks. 

It can be difficult and overwhelming to understand all of these tips, so we did the hard work for you to find the absolute best tips for healthy hair that you’ll want to follow. Keep reading to learn how to get healthy hair with six tips for healthy hair, including product recommendations from L’Oréal Paris.

6 Tips for Healthy Hair

1. Pick a Shampoo for Your Hair Type

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), you should always pick a shampoo based on your hair type. If you wash your hair with a shampoo designed for your hair type you’ll give your tresses the best nutrients to target your concerns. For example, dry hair and thin hair need a nourishing shampoo like L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo, Paraben-Free which will gently cleanse the scalp without drying out hair thanks to hydrating hyaluronic acid.

Oily hair, on the other hand, calls for a formula to tackle oily roots. The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoo with Antioxidants, paired with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Restoring Conditioner with Antioxidants, purifies oily roots and hydrates dry lengths for hair that looks beautifully fresh and clean from root to tip. You can also pick a shampoo for your curl type that will thoroughly cleanse your waves, curls and coils without stripping hair of the natural oils it needs. 

2. Always Follow Up Shampoo With Conditioner

After shampooing your hair, don’t forget to add a conditioner to your strands to add moisture you might have lost. The AAD states that using a conditioner can significantly improve the look of damaged or weathered hair by increasing shine, decreasing static electricity, improving strength, and offering some protection from harmful UV rays. If you’re choosing one of the many shampoos from L’Oréal Paris, you can get the corresponding conditioner to maximize your hair routine. 

3. Add a Hair Treatment to Your Routine

The type of shampoo and conditioner that you use is key for the health of your hair, but so are the deep conditioner and styling treatments you use. If you’re not using a hair treatment or styling product your hair could be missing out on added shine, added moisture and bond building. Think of hair treatments as a way to target hair concerns beyond washing and conditioning, like brass, limpness, frizz and more.

To remedy these concerns, pick up a hair mask or oil treatment to use in-shower, or while styling your hair, for added nutrients. A nourishing mask like L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Savior Fiber Mask, Paraben-Free can be used as a deep conditioner once a week to revitalize hair with protein, or as a leave-in conditioner to strengthen hair as it helps your style.

4. Apply Your Hair Care as Directed

Shampoo, conditioner, hair serums and all other types of hair care products have a specific set of directions for the best use. If you veer off the instructions you risk adding too much product, using it for too long or even causing further damage to your strands, depending on the product. Even though how to use shampoo and conditioner might seem self-explanatory, it’s still worth a refresher. 

The AAD recommends applying shampoo directly to the roots and scalp (only) before lathering the product and massaging it down the length of your hair. For conditioner, you should only apply it to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair to avoid clogging your scalp with products that may cause buildup. In general, for all hair care products — like hair stylers, box dyes and glossing treatments, to name a few — follow the instructions listed on the specific product. 

5. Be Gentle With How You Manipulate Your Hair

Hair is constantly being manipulated and touched, and if you want it to be healthy, you’ll have to treat it gently. you want to make sure you’re being gentle with it while styling, sleeping on and drying your hair. 

The AAD recommends wrapping your hair in a towel to absorb water rather than rubbing it, as this can cause friction and breakage. To be extra gentle, you can even use an old cotton T-shirt to dry your strands. You’ll also want to wrap your hair at night, especially if you have curly or coily hair, or you’re currently sporting a protective style. Use a silk or satin scarf or bonnet to protect your hair at night from added friction that may weaken your strands. 

6. Give Your Hair a Break From Tight Hairstyles

Your hairstyle can play a big role in how healthy your strands are, especially if left in for too long. The AAD states that pulling your hair back tightly into a style like a sleek ponytail or box braids (among other protective styles), as well as wearing hair extensions, can cause damage to your mane. Instead, loosely pull your hair back and use hair accessories that will be softer on your strands, for example use  a scrunchie in place of hair elastics.

If you are wearing a protective style, make sure you give your hair a break between styles and take out any looks after four to six weeks to avoid damage. Too tight styles that are left in for extended periods can result in hair breakage or even hair loss from damaged hair follicles.  

Next: 5 Facts About Hair Growth You Should Know

Photographer: Stephanie Price, Photo Assistant: Evan Mann, Digi Tech: Sergio Colon, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Creative Producers: Becca Solovay and Hannah Lee, Content Director: Shalwah Evans, Visual Designer: Sarah Duvivier, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Daniel Lutz, Wardrobe Stylist: Rika Watanabe, Wardrobe Assistant: Serena Orlando, Model: Dara Woo