A new year is a great time to refresh not just your goals, but your hair too. If you keep doing the same things, it’s hard to expect different results. That’s why we’ve put together ten simple tips to help improve your hair and support its overall health.
1. Double Down On Scalp Care
This might be one of the best things you can do for your hair because healthy hair all starts at the scalp. Your scalp is skin, and just like the rest of your skin, it needs care. A healthy scalp improves blood flow and creates the ideal environment for hair to grow and thrive.
That’s why regular scalp cleansing is so important. Over time, product buildup, oils, and dead skin can accumulate, making it harder for your scalp to do its thing. Proper cleansing clears this away, while gentle exfoliation prevents dead skin from piling up and keeps the scalp breathing.
Moisturizing naturally comes next. Lightweight oils, serums, or scalp treatments like Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil, Righteous Roots RX, or Innersense Hair Renew Daily Active Serum help keep the scalp balanced and healthy without clogging pores or weighing down your hair. Gently massaging them in also supports circulation to your scalp, which can encourage healthy hair growth.
2. Determine Your Hair Personality
Your hair has a personality of its own, and getting the best out of it starts with understanding how it behaves. When we talk about “personality,” we mean your hair type, its natural characteristics, and the products and techniques it responds to. Knowing this helps you work with your hair instead of against it. If you’re unsure, taking the time to identify your hair type (which is more than just your curl pattern) can make a big difference in how you care for it.
Porosity is another key piece of the puzzle. It refers to how your hair absorbs and retains moisture. High porosity hair takes in moisture quickly but loses it just as fast, while low porosity hair absorbs moisture slowly but holds onto it longer. Porosity matters because it influences product choice. Low porosity hair often responds best to lightweight products, while high porosity hair tends to thrive with richer, heavier formulas. Additionally, high porosity hair is often damaged and will be happiest with products that support its long-term health.
Finally, pay attention to how your hair reacts to different ingredients. For example, many curlies avoid silicone, but for some, it can be a game-changer. There’s no universal rule here. Listening to your hair and noticing what it likes is often the best guide to figuring out what truly works for you.
3. Don’t Wash So Often - But Also Don't Skip Wash Days
It can be tempting to wash your hair every day, especially if your scalp gets greasy or oily quickly. But for curly hair, washing too often can do more harm than good. The shape of the hair follicle makes it harder for curls to retain moisture, and frequent washing strips away what little they have, leading to dryness.
Overwashing can also overstimulate the scalp. When this happens, the scalp produces more sebum to compensate, creating a cycle where your hair feels oily faster and seems to need washing even more often.
Instead, try spacing out your wash days and using alternatives like dry shampoo to keep your scalp feeling fresh in between. For most curly hair types, washing once or twice a week works well, while wavy hair may need washing up to three times a week.
On the flip side, don't skip wash day because you're worried you're washing too frequently. If your scalp feels itchy or irritated, not washing your hair may do more harm than good.
4. Reduce Heat and Chemical Processes
To maintain healthy hair, it’s best to limit heat styling, bleaching, and chemical treatments as much as possible. Hair is made of protein, and repeated exposure to heat or chemicals weakens that structure over time, leaving strands fragile and more prone to damage.
If you do need to use heat occasionally, protection is essential. Applying a heat protectant first forms a barrier between your hair and the heat, reducing the risk of damage while you style. Some great options include Curlsmith Miracle Shield Heat Protection Spray, AG Hair Deflect Fast Dry Heat Protection, or Only Curls Defense Spray.
5. Look Into Hard Water in Your Area
Sometimes the reason your hair feels dry, dull, or difficult to manage isn’t your routine at all. It can come down to hard water. Checking the hard water levels in your area and investing in a good-quality shower filter or chelating shampoo can make a noticeable difference over time, even if you have a water softener.
To see if your area has hard water, you can Google "water hardness + (your area)" and look for a local city or municipality report.
Using a chelating shampoo, like Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo, helps remove mineral deposits and buildup that regular shampoos can’t fully clear. This mineral film may be preventing your other products from penetrating into your strands. Once hard water is no longer affecting your hair, it becomes much easier to understand what your hair actually needs.
6. Split Ends Should Go
Split ends aren’t length - they’re damaged ends that can actually hold your hair back from looking its best. Skipping trims allows split ends to slow progress, make new growth more fragile, and increase breakage. Regular trims are one of the simplest ways to keep your hair healthy and strong.
7. Detangle Before and During a Wash
Detangling before washing makes the process much easier if you're very prone to tangles. Warm up your favorite oil or blend of oils and apply it while working through your hair. This adds slip, acts as a pre-poo treatment, and helps reduce breakage while keeping your hair moisturized. You can also liberally apply a detangler like Slip from Curl Keeper to detangle your hair prior to shampooing if you don't wish to use an oil. Never detangle dry hair without some kind of lubricant - this leads to breakage and frizz and can be painful!
During your wash, make sure your curls are fully conditioned. You’ll know it’s time to detangle when your hair feels slippery, almost like slimy seaweed. Start from the ends and work your way up to the roots, using your fingers, a Jessicurl comb or Curl Warehouse Super Detangling Brush to gently remove knots.
8. Make Clarifying a Habit!
Clarifying acts as a reset for your hair. Over time, oils, product buildup, and residue can leave curls feeling heavy and dull. Using a clarifying shampoo at least once a month cleanses the scalp deeply and restores your curls’ natural bounce and freshness.
Here are some great options:
• Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo
• Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo
• Inahsi Naturals Soothing Mint Clarifying Shampoo
9. Secure Hair with Silk or Satin Scrunchies or Bands
It might seem like a small detail, but using silk or satin ribbons or scrunchies when tying up your hair or when it is in braids can make a big difference. Regular elastic bands can cause tangles, breakage, and split ends, while silk and satin are gentle on your strands, making it easier to take down styles without damage.
10. Sleep With Satin or Silk
Your curly hair care routine wouldn’t be complete without a silk or satin pillowcase, bonnet, or scarf. Sleeping on these smooth surfaces reduces friction, which means fewer tangles, less breakage, and healthier-looking hair. Protecting your hair overnight helps your strands hold onto their natural moisture, leaving your curls smoother, more defined, and easier to manage in the morning. It also means less time spent refreshing your curls!
Bottom Line
There’s no single rule for healthy hair. The key is paying attention to what your unique hair and scalp need and finding what works for you. You don’t need a perfect routine - just caring for your hair in a way that fits your life is enough. Hair should be something you enjoy, not a source of stress.
Need help figuring out what your hair needs? Sent us a message or visit us in store for personalized advice!
