Hair care is a catchall term for parts of hygiene and cosmetology involving the hair. It is a major world industry.

Hair care may include haircuts, where part of the hair is trimmed and hair dressing, where the hair is combed and arranged. Hair care also includes hair washing, which is often done as part of a shower or bathing. In many industrialized countries, the hair is washed daily. Hair is often washed with specialized soaps called shampoos, and lost oils are replenished with hair conditioners. Shampoos are cleaning agents for scalp and hair shafts, if one has oily scalp a more detergent shampoo is needed. Conditioners and leave on products are for hair shaft protection and treatment, they are not supposed to get over the scalp as they leave more residue and increase dandruff.

Hair can be styled with the use of specialized combs or brushes and can be straightened with hair straighteners or curled with hair curlers or hair tongs/irons. Hair is damaged much more easily when wet, so extra care must be taken.

Scalp hair grows 0.33 cm per week on average and shampoos or vitamins have not been shown to noticeably change this rate. The speed of hair growth varies based upon genetics, gender, age, and may be reduced by nutrient deficiency. The speed of hair growth also increases slightly when longer, due to the effects of gravity.

Improper hair care can result in dandruff.

Tips to take care of your hair

• It is not recommended to wash hair twice in succession, as often recommended by shampoo manufacturers. The first shampoo will wash your hair and the second will strip your hair of its nutrients. By repeating, you can irritate your scalp and overly dry your hair. However, a long rinsing with water is a good habit, even if you are in a hurry; else, the hair will be dull and more sensitive to external irritants (pollution, etc.)
• Use cold water as a final rinse; it will make your hair shinier. The cold water closes the scales that the hair has on its surface, which open when washed with hot water. Moreover, if your scalp tends to be greasy, cold water prevents dilatation of sebaceous glands and moderate sebum production.
• Use mild shampoos if you want to wash often (they create fewer bubbles but this doesn't mean that they don't wash well; excess suds are more aggressive). Do not use children's shampoos, which are not soft but less galling; they contain over-greasing agents that make the hair more loose.
• Use anti-dandruff shampoos with care; they are more aggressive, can make hair less lively, irritate the scalp, and can actually increase the production of dandruff.
• Dyeing of the hair can cause hair loss; although the products do not attack the root of the hair, they are aggressive to them and can harm the hair.
• Brush carefully: strength of hair comes from the root; brushing will not give them more strength but can increase the creation of forks (split ends) and may uproot the hair. However, brushing may distribute the oils produced by the scalp throughout the hair, effectively acting as a natural conditioner and preventing oil buildup on the scalp. Be sure to use a brush with natural bristles, and never brush wet hair.
• If you have forked hair (split ends), the only solution is to cut it and use a hydrating treatment to protect the new ends.
• Play sports: Physical exertion increases perspiration, helping the skin to release toxins that may accumulate near the roots of hair on the scalp. Be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly after exercise to completely remove them from your hair.
• Brushing: the old notion that 100 brush strokes a day produces beautiful hair is false. that much brushing may prove injures, especially with brushes that pull the hair or scratch the scalp.
• Hair sprays: Applied properly, most hair sprays will not harm the hair. Excessive use or failure to shampoo, however, can cause it to become dull.
• Wigs: Normal wig wearing is not injurious to the hair provided the wig is not too tight, but more shampooing may become necessary because wigs incease scalp perspiration.
• Permanents: despite popular opinion, we have no medical evidence that permanents are ineffective during pregnancy. Women using hair dryers, however, should apply low heat to keep from splitting or otherwise damaging hair.
• Cutting: Although trimming may beautify hair by removing damaged or split ends, cutting does not promote faster growth. Hair grows at the same rate regardless and the rate is largely a matter of heridity.
• Braiding: Tight or frequency braiding may pull at the hair roots and cause damage. Hair should not be left braided overnight, and rubber bands or tight clips should be avoided.

See also

• Hair washing
• Shampoo
• Hair conditioner
• Hair coloring

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