Do you crave luscious, visibly nourished, strong, and healthy hair in 2022? Well, it all comes down to a few simple styling skills and a huge commitment to regular, consistent tender love and care for your hair. 

You will give Instagram hair models and celebrities a run for their money when you understand your hair type and what the hair wants in terms of the food you eat and the hair products you use. Simple changes in your hair care routine can make a world of difference. Let’s discuss how you can care for your hair in 2022 for a more confident, attractive look:

Table of Contents:

• How to Start a Regular Hair Care Routine in 2022
• Step 1: Find out your hair type
• Step 2: Know how frequent you should wash your hair
• Step 3: Learn the dos and don’ts of hair washing
• Step 4: Trim your hair regularly
• Best Hair Protection Practices in 2022
• What to Eat for Healthy Hair

How to Start a Regular Hair Care Routine in 2022

Maintaining healthy and stylish hair is often a tall order for many, especially because no one has nearly enough time for it. The good thing is that you can achieve your hair goals by adopting a hair care routine that necessitates your attention once or twice a week. You can create your routine in 5 simple steps:

• Step 1: Find out your hair type

You cannot copy and paste someone else’s hair care routine because no two people have identical hair texture, length, health, and other defining traits. Every person has different hair. You need to know which one is yours because that will determine the best possible hair care regimen for it.

The best way to know your hair type is to go a few days without using any hair products. A few days with your natural hair will reveal telling tendencies such as how oily or dry the hair is, wavy or straight, thick or fine, and whether it is curly.

• Step 2: Know how frequent you should wash your hair

You now know your hair type. Most hair types are fine, with about 2-4 washes a week. The frequency at which you wash your hair depends on how dirty your hair type gets. Fine and straight hair, for example, gets dirty faster than thick and curly hair. 

Dry hair can do with 2-3 washes per week, while oily hair may require up to 4 washes in a week. If your hair looks really oily within hours, you may have to wash it on a daily basis, and be sure to use dry shampoo between washes. Dry shampoo is good at soaking hair oil and keeping your hair dry for a long time.

Bottom line: There is no one-size-fits-all formula for hair washing frequency. The best practice is to monitor your hair and only wash it when it gets dirty. Don’t damage your hair with excessive washing.

• Step 3: Learn the dos and don’ts of hair washing

Some of them include:

Do: Wash your hair with lukewarm water to enhance its natural shine.

Don’t: Wash your hair with hot water. Hot water removes your hair’s natural protective oils and, consequently, its shine.

Do: Comb your hair immediately after you get out of the shower. That is the best time to remove any knots or tangles.

Don’t: Comb your hair when dry. You don’t want your brush to snag and pull your hair.

Do: Get yourself a wide-tooth comb. This is the best brush, especially for long and fine hair.

Don’t: Use a brush for fine, thin hair. Brushes can break and damage your hair. 

Do: Start combing hair from the bottom and then work your way up. That prevents breakage.

Do: Let your hair air dry. It might be slow, but it is what your hair needs.

Don’t: Overuse blow dryers. Too much heat might damage your hair follicles.

Do: Invest in quality shampoo.

Don’t: Use cheap, unbranded shampoo on your hair, especially if there are clear signs of hair damage.

• Step 4: Trim your hair regularly

Most hair types get split ends when they go for long without a trim. For healthy and strong hair, create a habit of trimming it every three months or so. Some may need a trim once every six months. 

It is incumbent upon you to assess your hair’s proneness to split ends and trim them accordingly. While it would be okay to trim your hair yourself, it is always advisable to get it done in a professional hair salon. Just search for the best hair salons nearby and choose the one with the best online reviews. Ensure that your barber or stylist has the tools and experience to get even ends regardless of your hair type.

Best Hair Protection Practices in 2022

Excessive use of chemicals on your hair can be damaging. It is best to use natural remedies to improve the quality of your hair. Warm olive oil, for example, is a perfect moisturizer for dry hair. Warm coconut oil, on the other hand, is an efficient hair conditioner. And if you want to strengthen your hair follicles, a mixture of honey and shampoo will do it for you.

Hair dyes are ridden with excess chemicals that can damage your hair. It is best that you keep your natural hair color. You will be happy to know you can enhance your natural hair color by rinsing your hair with unsweetened, brewed tea whenever the need arises. Use black tea if you’re a brunette and chamomile tea if your hair is blonde. If you must dye, minimize the frequency as much as possible and stick to within three shades of your natural hair color.

As beneficial as the sun is, it is one of the top enemies to your hair. Too much of it will dry out your hair and cause unwanted breakage. If you are outside for long periods of time, wear a hat or any other covering available to you. You should also make a habit of using hairspray with SPF protection for optimal protection from sun damage.

Another important hair protection routine that may seem obvious is frequent conditioning. This enhances the production of the natural oils that your hair needs for a natural shine. You have to condition your hair no matter how oily it normally is. There is a perfect conditioner for every hair type, e.g., lightweight conditioners for oily hair. You can also minimize the oils by avoiding the roots when applying the conditioner. If you have dry hair, normalize using hydrating conditioners. You may need to apply a deep conditioner at least once a week if your hair is too damaged.

Lastly, always apply heat serum or heat spray before using hot tools on your hair, e.g., blow drying or curling.

What to Eat for Healthy Hair

Your hair cannot be strong and healthy when the rest of your body is unhealthy. Always ensure that you eat right and take in the right nutrients. 

Some of the nutrients that your hair needs are essential fatty acids, vitamin B6, proteins, and folic acid. You can get fatty acids from almonds, salmon, walnuts, and tuna. The best sources of vitamin B6 are spinach, bananas, and potatoes, while the best protein sources are soy products, fish, whole grain beans, chicken, and eggs. 

Also, eat lots of fresh citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vegetables because they are rich in folic acid.

Note: Smoking is harmful to your hair.

The time is ripe for you to start a regular hair care routine. The hard part is only at the beginning. Once you start picking some pace, everything will feel so normal and fun. You may have to wait a little while for the results to start showing, but they will eventually come. Just be dedicated and consistent.