Hair Types and their Hair Care Routine

Our hair has generally been categorized only in three types: Dry, Normal and Oily. But, have you ever thought that the hair can also be like skin. As skin has many types like dry, sensitive, normal, oily, combination; similarly, our hair can also be categorized in various types:

• Normal Hair
• Damaged (or Sensitive) Hair
• Dry Hair
• Oily Hair
• Combination Hair
• Dry Scalp with Oily body
• Oily scalp with dry body

Please remember that I am talking about the condition of hair not the texture of hair. And, the way we care for our hair should be customized depending on the hair condition.

Normal Hair does not require any special care. Normal routine of shampooing and conditioning will keep it in place.

Dry Hair needs a lot of conditioning and deep conditioning treatments. Avoid going into sun too much and do not let your hair get subjected to heat.Always keep your hair moisturized using a leave-in conditioner or aloevera gel. And, of course, do not forget the hot oil treatments for your hair weekly once or twice.

Oily hair does not need oil. It needs something which can soak oil from the hair and neutralize the oil production. For this, you can two things: one is using lemon on your scalp and another is using milk (without cream) or buttermilk on your scalp. Apply fresh lemon juice on your scalp before you shampoo your hair every time. You can also use tomato instead of lemon juice. It also has the same effect. You can also experiment with strawberry hair mask. And, you can use your clay masks as a hair mask also. After all, clay will absorb oil no matter where it is applied. Right!!

Combination Hair really needs a combination of oily and dry hair treatments but not so much in intensity.

- For dry scalp, you can massage a few drops of oil (coconut or olive) every time before you shampoo your hair. And, leave the hair body as it is. If your scalp is dry to the extent of being scaly and itchy, only then use hot oil treatment but use it just for the scalp. And, once in two weeks you can also go for deep conditioning treatments but make it only for the scalp (only if your scalp is scaly and itchy or if you feel a tightness in your scalp).

- For oily scalp, follow up the lemon juice or tomato treatment on the scalp and leave the body as it is. Follow up with a leave-in conditioner. You can also use your favorite conditioner to condition your hair. But, in no case, use hot oil treatments or deep conditioning treatments on your hair.

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Are you shampooing your hair the right way?

Our hair is our pride and it needs an extremely tender care. Cleaning is the first step for it. We all think we are shampooing our hair in the right way but are we? How to know how to shampoo the hair in the right manner? Well, let us look through a few key points which should never be missed or ignored under any circumstances:

• Comb your hair before you shampoo your hair. Tangles in the hair do not let the shampoo work properly and evenly on your hair.
• Do not shampoo your hair more than twice a week for dry hair and more than thrice a week for oily hair in whatever conditions. This habit leads to dryness in hair which might pose severe problems. You can avoid washing your hair even 2 or 3 times a week if you know that it has not gathered any dust. You may even choose to cowash your hair instead of shampoo.
• Use a very mild shampoo, a herbal one if possible. Choose your shampoo wisely or you may use the age old ways to clean your hair. Much of the chemicals do not do any good to your hair.
• While pouring out the shampoo, make sure you are using a right amount. Too less will not clean your hair properly and too much will dry your hair. 
• Always dilute your shampoo no matter what is says or which brand is it. This rule even applies for herbal shampoos. Pour a small dollop of shampoo in a bowl and put a handful of water in the bowl and mix it well. This reduces the harshness of the chemicals in your shampoo.
• Wet your hair well under a shower. Do not forget to wet it in layers. Partition your hair if it is long and stand under the shower till your are sure your hair is saturated with water. Wet hair is essential for the shampoo to lather though more lather does not mean the shampoo is good. It only means the shampoo is harsh. That is why it is important to dilute it in the first place. 
• Do not flip your head over while washing your hair. You will create more tangles.
• Once your hair is wet, take a little shampoo (which is in liquid condition) in hand and start applying on scalp. It will lather well. Cover all your scalp and start massaging it. Do not use your nails or palms. Just use your finger balls. Use the lather produced to wash the body of the hair. Do not worry about its adequacy. The hair will get cleaned with that amount of shampoo. 
• Massage your scalp in only four directions: back and forth and sideways (left and right). Any other way would end up tangling your hair. And, do not pile up the hair on your head. Shampooing does not mean your let the hair get tangled. You are supposed to keep your hair untangled in whatever condition. 
• If your hair is coming out while you are washing it, pull the strand out. Do not panic if more are coming. Just remove them and throw them. It is better to remove the strands which are dead otherwise they will hinder in the new hair growth.
• Wash your hair properly and follow up with another round of shampoo. Always go for two rounds of shampoo - first one is to remove all the dirt and second one is to ensure squeaky clean hair. Only remember to use even lesser shampoo in the second round as the hair is really wet and will lather quite well with a very little shampoo. Keep it on your head for 2-3 minutes and wash off.
• Once you finish shampooing your hair, take a strand in two fingers and run them through it. The strand should make a squeaking noise. If it does, you hair is clean and if it does not you can proceed with one more round of shampoo but always be careful about how much shampoo are you putting on your hair. You can perform this test even after first round of shampoo. Second round is generally recommended but if you shampoo your hair too frequently, you can forgo it.
• You may apply conditioner on your hair. This will control your frizzes and dryness caused by the shampoo. Apply the conditioner gingerly as your hair is wet and in the weakest condition. Do not apply conditioner to the roots. You will end up clogging the hair follicles and effecting your hair health as a consequence. Apply it only to the body and pay special attention to the ends. Wait for 5-10 minutes and then, wash off. 
• Remember to shampoo your hair with lukewarm water and condition your hair with cold water. Stand under cold water to end your shampooing routine. Make the water as cold as you can tolerate. Do not go to the extremes.You may even follow your hair wash with hibiscus shampoo or using baking soda. 
• You can follow with a leave-in conditioner or better, use natural aloevera gel straight from the plant or apply glycerin while your hair is still damp.It will keep your hair moisturized.

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