General hair care tips According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), people can try the following when caring for their hair: • Shampoo: Wash the hair with shampoo as often as needed. This will typically be when the hair becomes oily, which can happen at different rates for different people. Those with oily skin and hair may need to shampoo more often. Concentrate the shampoo on the scalp. • Condition: A person should use a conditioner after each shampoo. Concentrate the conditioner on the tips of the hair. • Dry: People can either wrap their hair in a towel and let it air dry or use a blow-dryer on the lowest setting. Using a blow-dryer can cause more damage to the hair than natural drying. However, there is research to suggest that using a blow-dryer at a distance of 15 centimetersTrusted Source and moving it continually can cause less damage to the hair than air drying. • Brush: Brush the hair when it is damp using a wide-toothed comb. People should select their shampoo and conditioner based on their hair type. If possible, they should try to limit: • Weaves and hair extensions: If possible, wear weaves and extensions that are lightweight. Wearing hair that is tightly pulled back can lead to hair loss, or traction alopecia. • Chemically treating the hair: People should try to leave some between color touchups. In addition, they should try to have one treatment at a time. This is because very treated hair is more prone to breakage. • Drying the hair using a towel: This can pull or twist the hair, causing it to snap. It can also ruffle the hair cuticles. Care instructions for straight hair There is some evidence to suggest that straight hair carries sebum more easily than curly hair. Sebum is a waxy, oily substance that a person’s skin produces. This means that people with straight hair may be more likely to get oily hair than those with curlier hair. For this reason, people with straighter hair may wish to avoid the excessive use of certain hair products. These include: • any hair product that is labeled for dry hair • oils, such as olive, coconut, and jojoba oil • oil-based styling products • leave-on products People with straight hair may also wish to wash their hair more frequently. According to a 2015 articleTrusted Source, a person with straight hair may need to use a more gentle approach to caring for their hair. This may involve: • using gentle shampoos • gently drying the hair with a towel • brushing or combing the hair gently Care instructions for curly hair Over-brushing can damage curl definition. Therefore, people with curly hair may need to experiment to find the right amount of brushing for their hair. Some other care tips for curly hair include: • reducing shampoo usage • air drying or using a diffuser on a blow-dryer • avoiding dense combs and brushes • avoiding heat styling tools Some people may also wish to use hair mousses and gels that are intended for curly hair to maintain curl definition. Care instructions for Black hair The AAD suggests the following tips for Black hair: • washing the hair no more than once per week • using conditioner at every wash • avoiding overly tight braids, cornrows, or weaves • using a hot oil treatment fortnightly • using heat protecting products before heat styling Additionally, people may wish to take care when using weaves or extensions. To prevent hair damage, they may wish to try: • ensuring that their hair is clean and free from hair products, including hair spray, before getting a weave or extension • using conditioner to help keep the hair strong • visiting a professional hairstylist, if possible • using a gentle shampoo to keep the scalp clean • protecting the hair’s edges using moisturizers and water-based gels Tight hairstyles can also lead to traction alopecia, which results in hair loss. People may wish to consider giving the hair a break after 2–3 months of wearing a weave or extension. Care instructions for thick hair People with thick hair may find it helpful to use denser hair products, such as: • hair gels • hair butters • hair masks, such as avocado hair masks • thicker oils, such as coconut oil Additionally, people with greater hair density may find it beneficial to use brushes that are designed for thick hair. These brushes have fewer spokes than others, which helps people remove knots without breaking the hairs. Care instructions for thin hair There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that denser hair products, such as oils and butters, can weigh down thinner hair. For this reason, people with thin hair may wish to avoid these products. People with thinner hairs may also benefit from: • using dry shampoo • washing the hair regularly • only applying conditioner to the ends of the hair Hair loss The WTS notes that people shed approximately 50–150 hairs per day. This can occur through hair washing, brushing, and combing. However, some people lose more hair than they can grow. This can happen for various reasons. One common cause is androgenetic alopecia. This is a genetically predetermined condition that affects around 50%Trusted Source of people. In males, hair loss occurs at the temples and the top of the head. In females, hair loss can affect the crown. Hair loss can also occur in females due to other health conditions, including: • polycystic ovary syndrome • a side effect of medication, such as birth control • thyroid problems A person should contact a doctor if they: • experience sudden hair loss • develop bald patches • lose clumps of hair • experience itching and burning sensations on the scalp Is it preventable? Some anecdotal evidence suggests that people can use certain shampoos, essential oils, and dietary supplements to thicken the hair. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove that hair care can prevent thinning hair. That said, a person can take measures to help prevent some causes of hair loss, such as traction alopecia. Summary Everyone’s hair is slightly different. A person’s hair can be straight, curly, coily, or wavy, and each type benefits from different methods of care. Although some hair loss is common, a person should contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned.