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Change the way you wash your hair. Dry your hair with care. Style your hair gently.
Do you wash your hair every day? This can dry it out, since you're washing away natural protective oils that help your hair stay strong and healthy. Washing them out causes your hair to be susceptible to breakage and split ends, which means you'll need more maintenance trims and it'll take much longer to grow your hair to the length you desire. To keep your hair healthy, follow this routine: Wash your hair about three or four times a week. At first your hair might seem oily, but soon your scalp will produce just enough oil to moisturize your hair without overdoing it. Wash your hair with the coldest water you can handle. Washing with hot water leads to split ends and frizz, while cold water keeps the hair shaft smooth and healthy. The way you dry your hair can also have a big impact on how quickly it grows out. Do you tend to roughly towel dry your hair, brush out the tangles, then blow it dry? This sets your hair up for major breakage. When you're growing it out, ditch that routine and try this: When you get out of the shower, gently squeeze the excess water from your hair, then pat it dry with a soft towel. Don't rub or massage it; just pat it. Comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb, which is easier on hair than a brush. Work through tangles gently, so you don't break the hair as you pull through. Let your hair air dry most days. It's the healthiest way to dry your hair. Some days letting your hair air dry just won't do - especially if you're going to a special event and you want it to look well styled. On the days when you want your hair to look sleek and styled, try these alternatives: Blow your hair using the cold setting. This is a lot less harsh on your hair, but it can still make your hair look smoother than air drying. Curl your hair without heat. Use the t-shirt method, the sock bun method, or another cool-curling method to curl your hair instead of using a curling iron or hot rollers.