25 Healthy Hair Tips to Hustle your Way Through the Rest of the Year and Beyond

Return to school or work this fall with your healthiest hair yet. Here are 25 tips and products to achieve a healthy mane.

By Ailie McGilligan & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division

Update Date: 22 Aug 2023

We all know that mixed feeling of stress and excitement at the end of the summer as you transition back from relaxing in the sunshine to the hustle and bustle of school and work. While there are many things to consider in this period—like whether the blazer still fits or if the shoes need a quick shine—stressing about having healthy hair should not be one of them.

So as you step into a new routine, it's a good time to question how to have healthy hair again. Now’s your chance to revamp your haircare practices and ensure your mane remains stylish and healthy for the whole semester.

We've curated 25 invaluable tips to help nurture your hair, prevent damage, and exude confidence whether sitting in a classroom or acing that boardroom presentation. From easy-to-implement daily habits to seasonal treatments, we've got you covered. Get ready to unlock the secrets to vibrant, strong, and stunning hair that perfectly complements your journey back to school or work.

How can you tell if hair is healthy?

Everyone wants to have healthy hair, but what does this actually mean? First, let's talk about the feel of your hair. Healthy hair is usually soft, shiny, and strong. Healthy manes also have elasticity meaning it stretches and bounces while brushing or styling with minimal breakage. So on the flip side, what does unhealthy hair look like? Unhealthy hair appears dull, breaks easily, and falls victim to split ends easily.

25 Healthy Hair Habits

Use products formulated for your hair type.

Consult a stylist to develop a game plan for your hair this fall. They’ll be able to advise you on what hair care products and routines will be most effective for your hair type.

Take it easy with the heat.

One of the worst things we do to our hair is damage it with heat-styling tools. Scale back on the heat where you can.

Reduce the blowdry time.

This can be done by embracing 100% air drying or allowing your hair to dry a quarter to three-quarters of the way before using the blow dryer.

Use low heat settings.

Turn down the temperature setting on your flat iron or curling iron to prevent excess damage.

Air dry your hair.

Wherever possible, air dry your hair before styling rather than using a blow dryer.

Opt for cool showers.

Cooler temperatures minimize frizz and boost shine. Combine the cool temp with Matrix Keep Me Vivid Shampoo and Conditioner for a more vibrant, healthy-looking result.

Protect from the heat.

Use some form of protection whenever heat is applied. We love Kérastase Genesis Defense Thermique Heat Protector.

Trim your mane regularly.

Routine trimming helps to remove split ends and prevents dry, brittle hair from breaking off prematurely.

Brush your hair gently and often.

Brushing correctly helps to distribute nourishing, natural oils from your scalp to your tips.

Don't overdo chemical processing.

Healthy hair's mortal enemy is chemical processing. If you have already subjected your hair to this, try a cleansing product like Matrix Multi-Tasking Hair Treatment.

Use nourishing, strengthening hair masks.

Using a hair mask can hydrate, strengthen, and nourish your mane.

Use satin or silk scrunchies.

These are softer on your hair and glide more easily, meaning your hair is less susceptible to kinks and breakage.

Silk pillowcases are a must.

Using a silk or satin pillow reduces friction, allowing your hair to glide over your pillow while you sleep.

Protect your hair from the sun.

Wear a hat or use an umbrella to protect your hair from damaging UV rays.

Keep chlorine away.

Use a clarifying shampoo to reset your mane after swimming in chlorine.

Use a water filter.

Using a water filter or softener can prevent damage from hard water washing.

Consider using a complete haircare system.

Using all formulas in a system will offer maximum hair benefits.

Dry hair gently.

Spritz your hair with a leave-in spray, then dry gently, focusing on removing excess water.

Use a microfiber towel.

Microfiber towels are more absorbent and softer than traditional cotton towels, reducing frizz.

Try a hair cream.

Using a hair cream can lock in moisture and keep hair soft and silky.

Use a scalp serum.

A scalp serum can help to hydrate your scalp, leaving it and your strands feeling healthier.

Don't over (or under) wash.

Washing at the perfect frequency for your hair is crucial.

Manage Dandruff

Biolage Professional's Scalp Sync Anti-Dandruff Shampoo can help alleviate itching and replenish the scalp.

Try a color-correcting shampoo.

Use a blue or purple shampoo to revive shine in lighter-colored hair.

Avoid tight ponytails.

Pulling your hair taut can lead to traction alopecia. Opt for a scrunchy or claw clip instead.