Unlike their curly cousins, those with straight hair generally fall into two categories: naturally straight and chemically straightened. While we will touch on different straight hair textures, the care advice in this article is meant for those with naturally straight hair. Chemical straighteners require their own unique aftercare and that largely depends on the professional straightening product used at the time of service. In any case, despite popular belief, those with naturally straight hair are not immune to styling snafus and hair health challenges. Here, we will cover the basics of straight hair care for optimal hair health (which translates into better-looking styles).
 
Before The Shower
Straight hair tends to be particularly susceptible to split ends (which is not the same as breakage, but more on that, later) so it should be handled with care. In general, for most hair types and textures, it’s not necessary to wash your hair daily, and in fact, skipping a day or two (depending on how much oil your scalp produces) is better for your overall hair health. If you have fine-to-normal straight hair, try stretching out your shampoos to 2x per week, with frequent brushing. If you are a heavy product user, however, you may want to up that number to 3x a week. For coarser hair, which traps more dirt and grime, you will want to suds up every other day. Before lathering up, run a boar bristle brush through to work out any tangles, snarls or knots. The brush will also distribute natural oils from the scalp through the length of the hair, which will help combat over-drying from shampoos or steam.
 
In The Shower
It’s not just what you use, but how you shampoo can also affect your hair health. With straight hair, it is best to start at the top and gently work your way down. This means you must resist the urge to pile it all on top of your head and get to scrubbing. Hear us out: making a big sudsy pile of hair will encourage tangles and snarls. It’s also harder to ensure that your hair will actually get clean. Think of it this way, if you were to just throw all of your dirty dishes in a pile at the bottom of your dishwasher, they probably wouldn’t come out as spotless as if you had lined them up neatly on the rack. It’s the same with your hair.
 
The “pile up” method also encourages scalp scrubbing, which is not going to do you any favors. The more aggressively you stimulate your scalp, the more oil it will produce, which means the more often you will want to shower, which leads to more scalp scrubbing, which leads to more oil. And here we are back again. It’s best to take the advice from the back of your shampoo bottle and “massage gently.”
 
When it comes to conditioner, this is where we break into groups. Fine-haired folk should apply their conditioner from mid-length to ends and comb through with a wide-tooth comb. Let the conditioner sit for about a minute or so, then rinse very, very thoroughly. Conditioner, along with its highly beneficial moisturizing qualities, also has a tendency to weigh hair down.
 
For coarser hair, use the same application technique, but let the conditioner sit a bit longer. Two to five minutes should suffice.
 
After The Shower
You’ll want to blot straight hair very gently with a soft, fluffy towel. Apply a leave-in conditioner from mid-length to ends and comb through to remove any tangles. A fun little styling tip for straight-haired ladies (or men, honestly, it’s becoming a trend in our current man bun era) braids are a great way to combat tangles. Tossing your locks into a simple braid after the shower will protect from snarls and create a lovely loose wave pattern as the hair dries. Just be careful not to tug or pull hair while styling wet, as this could cause additional damage.
 
If you opt for the “hair down” look, be sure to keep a soft hairbrush on you. You’ll want to brush your hair whenever it’s tangled and before you go to sleep. Please don’t just rake your fingers through to get them out. This causes more damage which can lead to more tangles. Brushing any more than that may actually cause more damage, but a little brushing here and there will help keep hair moisturized and snarl-free.
 
Split-Ends
Straight hair tends to be particularly prone to split ends, however, a lot of people are confused by what a split end actually is. If you see a lot of tiny hairs sticking out all over your head, those are not split ends, that is breakage. Breakage occurs from hair being handled too roughly and/or being too dry. If you frequently put your hair into a ponytail while wet, opt for a hairbrush over a comb post-shower, or tend to twist your hair around your fingers throughout the day, you are asking for breakage.
 
Split ends, however, aren’t really preventable by altering your behavior. It’s natural. Splits happen. Let’s get a quick and dirty on how to spot a split end:
 

• Gather a section of your hair in your hand (if you have short hair, also gather a friend).
• Look for “Y” shapes at the ends of your hair strands. These are split ends.
• Split ends only occur at the end of the hair strand. Anything at mid-length is breakage, which is caused by distress.
• Split ends cannot be repaired, just made to look better (via keratin treatments). The only way to stop them is to cut them just above the split.

 
This is a fantastic segway into just how often you should be trimming your hair to keep it at optimum health. Since fine, straight hair is a little more fragile and therefore more prone to splits, you should go in for a trim every 4-6 weeks.
 
If coarse hair has been treated well, it could go a little longer between trims. 6-8 weeks is perfectly acceptable. If you are extra, extra careful with your hair, you may even be able to go a tad bit longer, just make sure to do frequent checks for split ends. Once a split starts, it cannot be stopped. Left unchecked, a split “end” will actually travel up the entire length of the hair and at that point, it’s really unfixable.

By Cathy Wong, ND - Reviewed by a board-certified physician.

Natural remedies are often used in the treatment of dry scalp, a very common skin problem. In some cases, dry scalp may be triggered by environmental issues (such as dry outdoor or indoor air), while in other cases dry scalp is associated with conditions like dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis. Here's a look at several types of natural remedies said to be helpful:

1) Hair Oils
Applying hair oils may help treat dry scalp by restoring moisture to your skin.
These remedies include:

• argan oil 
• coconut oil
• jojoba oil
• neem oil

One of the lesser-known oils said to act as a dry scalp remedy, Brahmi oil has long been used to enhance skin health in ayurvedic medicine. This oil contains extracts of the herbs Bacopa monnieri  and Gotu kola, usually combined with sesame oil or coconut oil.

2) Tea Tree Oil
Although research on the use of any type of natural remedy in the treatment of dry scalp is lacking, there's some evidence that tea tree oil may be beneficial in treating dandruff. A type of essential oil long used in aromatherapy, tea tree oil sometimes appears as an ingredient shampoos, conditioners, and scalp moisturizing products.

While few studies have tested tea tree oil's effectiveness against dandruff, a report published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2002 indicates that shampoo enriched with tea tree oil may help people with mild to moderate dandruff.
 
For the study, 126 people (ages 14 and older) used either a 5% tea tree oil shampoo or a placebo shampoo every day for four weeks. At the study's end, those given the tea tree oil shampoo showed a 41 percent improvement in scalp scaliness, itchiness, and greasiness. Those given the placebo shampoo, on the other hand, showed only an 11 percent improvement in such symptoms.

3)  Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Some practitioners of alternative medicine suggest that increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids can treat dry scalp by improving your overall skin health. Available in dietary supplement form (including cod liver oil and krill oil supplements), omega-3 fatty acids are also found naturally in foods like flaxseeds and in oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, and herring.

4) Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is touted as a natural remedy for dry scalp associated with dandruff. Proponents suggest that apple cider vinegar can restore the pH balance of the scalp and, in turn, inhibit the overgrowth of Malassezia furfur (a yeast-like fungus thought to contribute to dandruff development).
A typical treatment for dry scalp involves mixing 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup water. Once poured into a spray bottle and then spritzed onto the hair and scalp, the mixture is left on for 15 minutes to an hour and then rinsed from the hair. Proponents of this approach generally recommend using the mixture about once or twice a week.

Using Natural Remedies for a Dry Scalp
While not all dry scalp remedies may benefit your skin, treating dry scalp with natural products is generally considered safe. Try testing out several dry scalp remedies to find the solution that's best for you.

Although in many cases dry scalp is merely a cosmetic issue, it may sometimes result from conditions like psoriasis (a chronic health problem that can lead to severe itching and, in turn, increase your risk of bacterial skin infections brought on by frequent scratching). If your dry scalp persists or is accompanied by such symptoms as swollen joints, ridged nails, and silvery scales on your skin, make sure to consult a physician rather than self-treating with natural remedies. Self-treating and avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences.

Sources
Piccardi N1, Manissier P. "Nutrition and nutritional supplementation: Impact on skin health and beauty." Dermatoendocrinol. 2009 Sep;1(5):271-4.
Satchell AC1, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. "Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo." J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002 Dec;47(6):852-5.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.

Achieve that just-from-the-salon look without an appointment.
By Kari Molvar

What to do when you need smooth, shiny hair, and there’s ‘nary a blow-dry bar in sight? Fire up your tools and take your strands into your own hands. Here, we got insider tips and pro pointers from stylist Gregory Patterson of Blow, the New York Blow Dry Bar, to help you achieve that just-from-the-salon look without an appointment.
 
“A great blow-out actually starts in the shower,” says Patterson. “Many women don’t wash out their conditioner enough. But that residue will ruin your blow-dry. So I shampoo, condition and then shampoo again to really get the hair clean. And to help ensure hair doesn’t get singed, make sure you get a blowdryer that comes with a nozzle attachment to keep some distance between your hair and the heat.”
 
“After the shower, try patting hair with a shammy rather than terry towel to absorb excess water without putting stress on delicate strands. Then apply a heat protective spray to detangle and add shine. My favorite is Blowpro The Heat Is On—it’s like vitamin water for your hair with aloe vera to calm a sensitive scalp.”

“Divide your hair into eight sections around the head—the key is to work in small zones and to use a round or oval brush that will allow you to create enough tension to give hair a smooth and polished look.”
 
“If you have really thick hair that takes a long time to dry, mist on a product that speeds up your blow-dry. I like Blowpro Ready, Set, Blow since it pushes water off the hair so you can do less passes with the dryer.”

“A lot of women start their blow-out in the back of the head, but we start at the front. That’s the area you see first and really want to smooth while it’s still wet and you have more control. Once you’ve gotten the top party completely dry, pop in two Velcro rollers—it’ll add body while your hair cools and sets.”

“Next blow-dry the sides, holding your brush vertically and twirling it away from your face for a soft effect. Always keep the nozzle pointed down to prevent frizz. Once that area is dry, wrap hair into loose curls with your fingers and secure with duckbill clips. This keeps a soft bend in the hair without creating kinks.”

“Finish the back sections of your head, holding the brush horizontally and curling the hair toward your face now. Work your way through from left to right, making sure that no wet hair sits on top of dry hair as you’re going along. Drape sections over your shoulder to cool and set. To seal everything, flip your head over and mist on a flexible hairspray.”

​“To preserve your blow-out, it’s all about the dry shampoo. Work it into your roots to absorb excess oil, especially if you’re hitting the gym and will be sweating. At night, it does help to sleep on silk or satin sheets to minimize friction that can cause tangles or frizz. Otherwise, wrapping your hair in a silk scarf also does the trick.”

If your hair is highlighted, your hair stylist may have recommended that you try a purple toning shampoo to keep your highlights bright.  Purple toning shampoo helps keep highlights or colored hair from turning yellow or brassy. It works by depositing purple pigment onto highlighted hair. The purple pigment tones out the yellow or brassiness leaving your hair a more desired neutral tone.

It's important to note that purple toning shampoos shouldn't be used daily or even with every shampoo. Only use a purple toning shampoo 3-4 times per month, or when you notice that your hair is starting to get brassy. Over use of purple toning shampoo can result in blue, purple, or gray highlights. Although, these days that just might be your thing.

Shampoos with high levels of pigment are great for medium blonde to black hair, while lighter pigmented shampoos are better for medium blonde to platinum blonde hair. If a shampoo has too much pigment for hair color, I like to cut it with a traditional shampoo using a 50/50 ratio.

Pro tip: use a highly pigmented purple shampoo on brown and black hair to increase shine and depth.  Also great for gray (#grannyhair) or white hair that loses its luster. It's not just for blonde hair.

Click here for a list of purple toning shampoos that come highly recommended.