Everyone wants to have shiny, healthy-looking hair. The most effective way to achieve the look you desire is to gain a complete understanding of the best hair care practices and habits. By taking the ideas in this piece to heart, you will soon become a hair expert and be the envy of your friends.

Do not style your hair with heated appliances every day. Overusing your curling iron, flat iron, blow dryer, curler or other products can cause fried, frizzy hair. Allow your hair to air-dry as often as possible, and give your hair a break from heated styling tools. If you must use these tools, apply a heat-protective spray or balm to your hair prior to use.

Hair is very fragile when it is wet. Avoid combing or brushing your hair when it is wet. It will more easily break and stretch out when wet and you try to brush it. At the very least wait until it is damp to brush your hair out, this minimizes damage.

Make sure your hair is thoroughly wet before you apply shampoo and begin washing it. If you start to scrub your hair and scalp without getting it wet enough first, you are much more likely to have strands of your hair break off in your hands. When the hair is wet, it is more pliable and will resist breakage better.

Eat a balanced diet, and make sure you get plenty of exercise. Living a healthy lifestyle has everything to do with the health of your hair. Smoking, not getting enough sleep, and other unhealthy habits are detrimental to the health of your hair. Take good care of yourself, and your hair will follow suit.

After shampooing your hair you should always rinse it out the best you can. Even if you think all of the shampoo is out of your hair you should rinse it out again. Shampoo residue can cause build up and dry out your hair and scalp that can cause dandruff.

Keep your terrycloth towels far away from your curly hair. Curls should only be dried with cotton or microfiber towels. Using a terrycloth towel to dry will cause frizz and will pull your curls out of shape. Consider using a old cotton t-shirt or even a paper towel. Be sure as well to blot your hair dry to keep your curls looking spectacular.

Sometimes, you may be allergic to something in the air, which can affect the quality of your hair. Take a ride to the doctor’s to see if there is something airborne that is affecting your health or physical characteristics. This can help to nip the problem in the bud, so that it doesn’t become a more serious issue.

Proper hair care is an important part of every individual’s personal grooming regimen. However, not everyone knows the very best techniques for achieving the strong, healthy hair most people covet. Keep the tips in this article close at hand, and you will never be at a loss for how to care for your own mane.