Hair care at home - best tips for healthy hair
Kyiv • UNN
The article describes four stages of basic hair care and rules for washing your hair. Learn how to choose the right ingredients for your hair type.
Hair is not just about appearance; it is an indicator of our body's overall health. Daily stress, environmental factors, thermal exposure, and improperly chosen cosmetics can turn luxurious locks into dull straw. To prevent this from happening, UNN will explain why it is important to understand the fundamental principles of hair care.
Basic hair care
Before buying expensive masks, it's worth mastering the basics. Our hair consists mainly of protein, i.e., keratin, and is protected by an outer layer - the cuticle. When the cuticle scales lie flat, the hair shines and looks healthy.
Key steps of a basic routine
Basic hair care consists of four sequential steps: first, we use shampoo to effectively cleanse the scalp of sebum and dirt, after which we always apply conditioner, which closes the cuticle scales and facilitates detangling. Once a week, this ritual is supplemented with masks for deep nourishment and restoration of the hair structure, and the final touch is protection in the form of leave-in serums or oils that protect the strands from the negative effects of external factors.
Main rules for hair care
Many people make mistakes even at the washing stage. There are several universal tips for hair hygiene. For proper hair care, it is important to observe the temperature regime: never wash your hair with hot water, as it destroys the protein structure and stimulates excessive oiliness; instead, use warm water for washing and cool water for the final rinse. Shampoo should be applied only to the roots and scalp, allowing the foam to cleanse the length as it rinses down, while conditioner, on the contrary, is applied only from the middle of the hair to the ends. Finish the procedure with gentle drying, carefully blotting the strands with a towel instead of intense rubbing, as wet hair is most vulnerable to mechanical damage.
How to choose hair care for your hair type
Your hair type determines which products you need and which will harm you.
Care for dry hair
Dry hair lacks lipids.
Look for oils (argan, coconut), panthenol, glycerin in the ingredients.
Exclude shampoos with aggressive sulfates (SLS/SLES) and limit the use of a hairdryer.
Care for oily hair
The problem here is not with the hair itself, but with an overactive scalp.
Look for clay, nettle extracts, tea tree, salicylic acid in the ingredients.
Don't wash your hair too often - this will only provoke even more oiliness.
Care for porous hair
Porous hair has raised scales; it quickly absorbs moisture and loses it just as quickly, which causes frizz.
Look for silk proteins, keratin, amino acids in the ingredients.
Use products with an acidic pH to smooth the cuticle.
Care for split ends
It is important to understand: it is impossible to soften split ends forever.
Regular trimming (every 2–3 months) and silicone serums that create a protective film and prevent further splitting.
Care for normal hair
The main task is not to spoil it.
Maintain moisture balance and UV protection.
Best hair care tips
The five most important steps in hair care include the mandatory use of heat protection before each drying or styling to preserve hydrogen bonds, proper detangling with a soft brush starting from the ends and then working up to the roots. An important evening five-minute scalp massage to stimulate blood circulation and growth. In addition, it is important to replace a cotton pillowcase with a silk or satin one to minimize friction and breakage during sleep, and to regularly perform a scalp peel once or twice a month, which removes dead cells and styling residue, allowing the skin to breathe fully.
Hair rinses
Rinsing is the final touch that helps close the cuticle and add shine.
There are many folk methods for rinsing hair.
| Remedy | Effect | For which type |
| Vinegar solution (apple cider) | Restores pH, gives a mirror shine. | All types. |
| Nettle decoction | Strengthens roots, helps with hair loss. | Dark hair. |
| Chamomile decoction | Softens, gives a golden hue. | Light hair. |
| Cold water | The simplest way to close the cuticle scales. | Universal. |
Also, if you use homemade decoctions, make sure you are not allergic to the respective plants.