What Type Of Hair You Have And What To Do About It

Us humans are very much alike, in one way or another. I mean to say that our overall structure is more or less the same. But each and every one of us differ from one another in unique ways. Some of us have dimples, some have freckles, some have straight hair, some are blessed with curly hair. These are all quirks and details that give us uniqueness in our sameness. And we should appreciate and value these little details as they make us who we are. Let’s take for example our hair. Hair is the one thing that comes in different types and texture. Some have straight, thick hair… Others have wavy, thin hair… Some of us struggle with oily hair, while others deal with dry hair. And the lucky ones who have normal hair don’t really understand the struggle of either of them.

So, considering that we all have different hair types, we should also keep in mind that we need to take care of them in different ways because something that works well on oily hair can only dry up the hair that is already dry. The way we should take care of our hair depends heavily on the type of hair you have. If you don’t already know your hair type, no worries as we will help you figure it out right away.

What type of hair do I have?

There are three main types of hair: normal, dry, and oily. Sometimes the distinction is not that easy to make. But here is what you can do. Take a shower before bed and then allow your hair to dry up by itself. When you wake up in the morning, take a thin tissue and press it against the root of your hair. Make sure to dab the scalp even behind the ears. Now take a look at the tissue. What does it look like? If there is no oil residue on the tissue then your hair is dry. If there is a small trace of oil, then your hair is normal. Whereas if there is more oil residue on the tissue, then your hair falls under the oily category. Now let’s talk about each of them individually.

Dry Hair

This kind of hair means that your hair either doesn’t get enough moisture or it simply doesn’t retain it. Dry hair can be annoying as it makes your hair look dull and lifeless. When your hair loses its sheen, your hair appears frizzy and can even look unhealthy. Almost anything can contribute to having dry hair. But in the bigger picture, they’re divided into two parts: environmental causes and practice causes. By environmental causes, we mean that if you live in a dry and hot climate, it could contribute to you having dry hair. If you’re someone who spends a lot of time in the sun, then this can directly affect your hair texture.

We refer with practice causes to your overall manner of how you treat your hair. There are a few habits that contribute to dry hair. If you practice washing your hair every day, then this will cause your hair to be stripped off its natural oils. Blow-drying your hair regularly, using strong and harsh shampoos, using heated devices such as curlers or straighteners, as well as using bleach or other chemicals on your hair will eventually lead to dry hair.

What can I do?

The good news is that there are remedies for dry hair. And the better news is that there are home remedies for dry hair. You can add luster to your hair with the help of warm oils. The most effective oil is coconut oil (no surprise there, eh?), but you can also use almond oil as well as castor oil. Heat up a half a couple of oil but do not let it boil. After that, apply it to your hair and massage it gently. Leave it on for 30-45 minutes, or even overnight. Then, rinse it off with shampoo and plenty of water.

Normal Hair

There isn’t much to say about normal hair. It’s not problematic but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of it. Normal hair can be damaged by being exposed to heat all the time. If you’re lucky enough to have normal hair, try to avoid frequent washing as it can lead to your hair being stripped off of its natural oils and become dry.

Oily Hair

Although downright annoying, oil hair is very common. Oily hair can be extremely problematic to deal with. Usually, people who have oily hair opt for everyday showers. I mean, we get it, oily hair can get in the way of your look. But, the reason why you have oily hair is because your hair follicles produce more sebum, which helps lubricate the hair. When you wash your hair often, these glands that produce oil get confused and they try to produce even more oil just to maintain the moisture. So, oily hair can be frustrating and difficult to deal with but as we said earlier, we are here to help you.

What can I do?

The first thing you need to pay attention to is your washing cycle. I know getting a quick fix is always your go-to remedy, but as mentioned earlier, frequent washing only makes it worse. So, instead, try washing your hair only two, maximum three times a week. It can be frustrating at first, but then your hair will get used to that routine and things will get better. Something else that helps is minimizing the use of conditioner as it can activate the glands that produce oil. No worries, the natural oil will take care of the hair strands.

Avoid touching your hair all day long. When we are in our everyday life, our hands come in contact with lots of germs and grease. So, when you touch your hair, be it to play with it or to simply put it behind the ears, you will transfer the grease to your hair. If you want to avoid touching your hair, try putting it away from your face.

When it comes to oily hair, even hairstyle matters. The straighter the hair is, the more it comes in contact with your scalp aka the place where the oil is produced. So, try opting for different hairstyles such as curls, ponytails, putting it up in a bun, or even braiding it. Or do both, like the picture below shows.

Because our hair speaks volumes of our routine and daily habits, it is of vital importance that we take care of it, firstly by recognizing the type of hair we have, and then acting accordingly. It is also important not to stress over it as stress does no good to our health, hair included.

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