Sustainable hair care tips from a dermatologist

hair type routine

It’s tempting to take advice from a TikTok video but hair is as unique as its wearer, making care an important aspect in one’s overall health and wellness routine. From understanding your hair type to learning the best shampooing technique (yes, there is one!), proper care and your diet can prevent certain types of hair loss and leave your hair looking healthier than ever.

Related: 5 reasons to ditch shampoo and go no-poo

“An optimal hair care routine isn’t just about keeping your hair looking its best,” says Dr. Deeptej Singh, a board-certified dermatologist in Albuquerque, NM. “It also prevents damage and promotes growth, ensuring your hair stays strong and resilient.”

Related: Caring for Muslim hijab hair

To keep your hair healthy and looking good, Dr. Singh suggests following these tips:

  • Learn your hair type. Whether you have curly, straight, coarse, fine, or another type of hair, there are products and routines that will work for you. Choose hair care products that say they’re made for your hair type. You may see hair types described by numbers and letters, going from fine, straight hair to thick, tightly coiled hair.
  • Wash your hair based on how often it gets dirty or oily. If you have straight hair and an oily scalp, you may want to shampoo every day. If your hair is dry, textured, curly, or thick, shampoo when needed — at least once every 2 to 3 weeks as needed. If you see flakes in your hair, common reasons could be not shampooing frequently enough, or not using the right conditioner, oil, or scalp moisturizer for your hair type.
  • Apply shampoo to your scalp, instead of the entire length of your hair. This way, you cleanse and wash away built-up products, dead skin, and excess oil, but avoid drying your hair too much.
  • Use conditioner after washing. Conditioner moisturizes and detangles your hair and makes it easier to manage. If you have fine or straight hair, apply conditioner to the ends of your hair. However, if your hair is dry or curly, apply conditioner to the entire length of your hair.
  • Be gentle with your hair. Hair is delicate when it’s wet, so use a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush to detangle wet hair. Slowly comb the ends of your hair first then keep combing higher to detangle your hair with minimal damage.
    • If you have thick or curly hair, the best time to comb is in the shower before rinsing out your conditioner.
    • Wrap your hair with a towel or t-shirt to gently absorb the moisture, as roughly rubbing your hair dry can cause damage.
  • Protect your hair from heat — no matter your hair type, excessive heat can cause damage. Limit blow drying and use of tools like flat or curling irons. Use low or medium heat settings and a product to protect your hair from the heat.

Related: 10 most shades of purple hair

“If you notice any issues with your hair health, a board-certified dermatologist can recommend personalized hair care routines based on a person’s hair type, scalp condition, and any underlying medical issues or conditions,” said Dr. Singh. “We can advise patients on the effectiveness and safety of various types of products and ingredients, helping them to choose the best options for their needs.”

Make your own shampoo? It’s easy if you start with a basic soap, like Dr. Bronner’s castille soap. We love their regeneratively farmed chocolates too!

Make your own shampoo:

1/4 cup Castile soap (we used Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint)

1/4 cup coconut milk, (from a carton)

1/2 tsp jojoba oil (can use olive oil), but may create a more oily feel)

10 drops essential oils, optional (we love bergamot)

How to make your own homemade shampoo:

  1. This is a no cook recipe! Mix all room-temp ingredients together in a measuring cup or something with an easy pour spout and then pour it into your desired bottle.
  2. Shake well before use and apply about 1 tablespoon each time you wash your hair.

https://www.greenprophet.com/2024/01/unibrow-januhairy-body-hair/

 

Hot this week

How Renewable Energy is Revolutionizing the Way We Power Our World

Solar has become the star of the transition thanks to modular hardware and straightforward installation. It fits dense cities and remote towns alike. Many companies are turning to rooftop arrays and carport systems - and exploring commercial solar installation as a practical way to lock in future savings.

How does one start prepping?

Faced with an extreme winter storm this year, Americans wonder how to be prepared for catastrophe. Miriam has lived through wars in the Middle East - so she's prepared on giving you a guide to prepping.

Fishermen sue tire manufacturers on behalf of the salmon

A federal trial in San Francisco has brought US tire manufacturers, fishing groups, and environmental scientists into court over a chemical most drivers have never heard of — but which scientists say may be silently reshaping aquatic ecosystems.

Listening to Water: Tarek Atoui’s Next Work for Tate Modern

Born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1980 and now living in Paris, Atoui has spent years building instruments that don’t sit comfortably in concert halls. Many of them involve water, glass, and ceramics — materials that react to sound instead of simply producing it.

Leading Through a Dual-Energy Transition: Balancing Decarbonisation with Energy Security

Experience in one area of the energy industry isn't enough to guarantee readiness across all the others. That's where a structured program like an MBA in energy can come in. Today's advanced curricula explore energy economics, finance, policy, and strategic management alongside the technical subjects. And when pursuing an energy MBA online, professionals can skill up and retrain without having to step out of the labor market -- an important perk at a time when skilled professionals are already in short supply.

Topics

How Renewable Energy is Revolutionizing the Way We Power Our World

Solar has become the star of the transition thanks to modular hardware and straightforward installation. It fits dense cities and remote towns alike. Many companies are turning to rooftop arrays and carport systems - and exploring commercial solar installation as a practical way to lock in future savings.

How does one start prepping?

Faced with an extreme winter storm this year, Americans wonder how to be prepared for catastrophe. Miriam has lived through wars in the Middle East - so she's prepared on giving you a guide to prepping.

Fishermen sue tire manufacturers on behalf of the salmon

A federal trial in San Francisco has brought US tire manufacturers, fishing groups, and environmental scientists into court over a chemical most drivers have never heard of — but which scientists say may be silently reshaping aquatic ecosystems.

Listening to Water: Tarek Atoui’s Next Work for Tate Modern

Born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1980 and now living in Paris, Atoui has spent years building instruments that don’t sit comfortably in concert halls. Many of them involve water, glass, and ceramics — materials that react to sound instead of simply producing it.

Leading Through a Dual-Energy Transition: Balancing Decarbonisation with Energy Security

Experience in one area of the energy industry isn't enough to guarantee readiness across all the others. That's where a structured program like an MBA in energy can come in. Today's advanced curricula explore energy economics, finance, policy, and strategic management alongside the technical subjects. And when pursuing an energy MBA online, professionals can skill up and retrain without having to step out of the labor market -- an important perk at a time when skilled professionals are already in short supply.

From Green Energy to Healthy Societies: Why old systems thinking is becoming relevant again

Across the Middle East and North Africa, large investments are being made in green hydrogen, renewable energy, water infrastructure and sustainability. Most of these efforts are discussed in the context of climate change, decarbonization and economic diversification. That framing is important, but it may not capture their full value.

We saw peace – an interreligious encounter deep in our eyes

They came from Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, Egypt… There are Sunni Muslims, Shiite Muslims, Jews (Orthodox and Reform), Orthodox Christians, Coptic Christians, Protestant Christians, Druze, Baha'is, a Scientologist.

Can biochar reduce ‘Forever Chemicals’ in food if it’s used in farms?

Biochar is produced by heating organic material in a low-oxygen environment so it does not burn. This process, known as pyrolysis, transforms plant matter into a stable, carbon-rich material.

Related Articles

Popular Categories