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Hair Care Basics: How Often You Should Shampoo and Condition Your Hair

HAIR CARE BASICS_ HOW OFTEN YOU SHOULD SHAMPOO AND CONDITION YOUR HAIR

Many people shampoo and condition their hair daily, believing this routine helps their hair stay clean and healthy. Unfortunately, daily shampooing and conditioning can damage your hair and make it harder to manage. At the same time, going too long between shampoo and conditioning treatments can also damage your hair and leave it looking greasy. The trick is to find the Goldilocks zone: Not so often that your hair products start to damage your hair, but often enough to keep it healthy and looking its best.

At Therapy Hair Studio, we understand the challenges of maintaining your hair. We also know everyone’s hair is different, and finding the right routine is often difficult. Our team would be happy to suggest some routines and products to use, but in the meantime, this blog explains how often you should wash and condition your hair.

Washing Too Often Leads to Dry, Frizzy Hair

Have you ever noticed your hair feeling stripped or brittle, even when you’re using fancy hair products? That could be a sign you’re washing it too frequently. Shampooing is essential to remove dirt and product build-up, but overdoing it can strip your hair of its natural oils. These oils, produced by your scalp, keep your hair moisturized and protected. When robbed of this essential layer, your hair becomes dry, frizzy, and more prone to breakage.

Conditioning, on the other hand, replenishes the moisture in your hair. However, over-conditioning can weigh down your hair, making it look greasy and lifeless. It can even lead to product build-up, which ironically defeats the purpose of shampooing in the first place.

Washing Too Infrequently Causes Greasy, Itchy Hair

In the quest for healthy hair, waiting too long between washes can also cause problems. If you go too long between shampoo treatments, your scalp accumulates dirt, oil, and product residues. This build-up makes your hair look limp and greasy and can also clog hair follicles, potentially hampering healthy hair growth. An environment like this becomes a playground for bacteria, leading to scalp infections, dandruff, or an itchy, irritated scalp.

It’s also critical to condition your hair regularly. Daily wear and tear, environmental pollutants, and styling can take a toll on your hair, making it vulnerable to damage. Regular conditioning helps restore the lost moisture, ensuring your hair stays strong, elastic, and less prone to breakage. Skipping conditioner for extended periods also leaves the hair unprotected, leading to dryness, tangles, and brittleness.

Finding the Hair Care Sweet Spot

HAIR CARE BASICS_ HOW OFTEN YOU SHOULD SHAMPOO AND CONDITION YOUR HAIR 2For most, shampooing and conditioning two to three times a week is the sweet spot. This schedule keeps your hair clean without stripping away its natural oils, helping you maintain a clean, nourished scalp while keeping the hair vibrant and lively.

However, conditioner is a tad more forgiving to your hair than shampoo. If you often find your hair feeling dry or tangled, you can consider conditioning even on days you skip the shampoo. It’s less likely to cause any harm and could be the hydration boost your locks crave.

Properly Washing and Conditioning Your Hair: A Step-By-Step Guide

  • Wet Your Hair: Begin by thoroughly wetting your hair with lukewarm water. This helps open the hair cuticles and prepares your scalp for a cleanse. Hot water can damage your hair follicles and scalp, so don’t turn the temperature too high.
  • Apply Shampoo: Pour a coin-sized amount of shampoo (adjust for your hair length) onto your palm. Lather between your hands and then apply to the scalp. Remember, the primary focus is the scalp; that’s where most dirt and oil accumulate.
  • Massage: Use your fingertips (not nails!) to gently massage the shampoo into your scalp in circular motions. This boosts blood circulation and aids in effective cleansing.
  • Rinse: Rinse out the shampoo thoroughly with lukewarm water. Ensure there’s no residue, as leftover shampoo can lead to scalp irritation and product build-up.
  • Apply Conditioner: Pour conditioner into your palm and rub your hands together. Apply it mainly to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. These are the oldest and most damaged parts of your hair, and they benefit most from the conditioner’s nourishing ingredients.
  • Let it Sit: Allow the conditioner to sit for 2-5 minutes. This lets your hair absorb all the goodness. If your hair is particularly dry or damaged, leave it on a bit longer.
  • Rinse Again: Rinse out the conditioner thoroughly with cold water. This helps seal the cuticle, ensuring your hair retains moisture and shines brightly.
  • Pat Dry: Instead of roughly rubbing your hair with a towel, gently pat it dry or use a t-shirt. This minimizes friction and reduces the risk of breakage.

Therapy Hair Studio has everything you need to make your hair shine, and our stylists can help you find your perfect style. Call (713) 355-4247 or complete our contact form to schedule an appointment.

 

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How Often Do You Wash 4C Hair?

Caring for curly hair is challenging, and even figuring out something as ordinary as how often to wash your curly hair is difficult. If you wash your hair too often, it may become dull and flat, especially if you use harsh shampoos and conditioners. On the other hand, going too long between washes can cause odors to build up or make your hair flaky. You want to find that Goldilocks zone for washing your hair: Not too often, but often enough to keep your hair looking beautiful.

So, how often should you wash 4C hair? Most hair care professionals recommend washing 4C hair once or twice a month, with at least five days between washes. Washing more frequently can severely damage 4C hair because it’s particularly dry and brittle compared to other hair types.

The Houston hair care team at Therapy Hair Studio understands the special challenges of caring for curly hair generally, and 4C hair in particular. Our highly trained technicians can help you create a hair care routine that will make your curls shine. Keep reading for more information on washing 4C hair, or you can call us or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment with one of our expert stylists.

What Does ‘4C Hair’ Mean?

Hair comes in many styles, textures, and colors, and different hair types require different routines and products to maintain. The term “4C Hair” comes from a hair type chart popularized by stylist Andre Walker, who is best known for working with Oprah. While the chart itself is not without controversy, as some people argue its definitions are too narrow, it’s a helpful starting point for developing an effective hair care routine. 4C Hair refers to hair with tight coils instead of curls, and the coils sometimes form “Z” patterns.

Challenges in Caring for 4C Hair

The tight curls of 4C hair can make for some unbelievably gorgeous styles, but they can also break easily. 4C hair also tends to be really dry, which can make it frizzy, matted, or tangled without proper care. Knowing how to care for 4C hair is essential to looking your best.

how often do you wash 4c hair

4C Hair Care Tips

While everyone’s hair is unique, our stylists have compiled some tips you can use if you have 4C hair. Remember that these are general tips, and our stylists are happy to meet with you or recommend products to help with your hair care routine. Keep these tips in mind when caring for 4C hair:

  • Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: 4C hair loves moisture! Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner as part of your routine to keep your hair happy. Drink plenty of water, too, because hydration starts from within.
  • Deep Conditioning: A deep conditioning treatment is like a spa day for your hair. Do this once a week to keep your curls soft and shiny. When applying a deep conditioner, cover your hair with a shower cap for added warmth and better absorption.
  • Say No to Heat: Avoid styling tools like straighteners and curling irons, as the heat from these devices can damage your hair and lead to breakage.
  • Protective Styles: Braids, twists, and updos protect your hair from damage and give it a break from daily styling. Plus, they look super cool!
  • Use the Right Tools: Wide-toothed combs and soft brushes are your hair’s best friends. They help detangle your hair without breaking it.
  • Night-Time Care: Protect your hair at night with a satin or silk scarf or pillowcase. This reduces friction and helps retain moisture.
  • Be Gentle: 4C hair needs a gentle touch. Treat your hair like fine silk, and avoid pulling or tugging on it.
  • Oil It Up: Oils like jojoba, argan, and coconut can add extra moisture and shine. But remember, a little oil in your hair goes a long way!
  • Patience Is Key: 4C hair may take a little longer to grow because of its tight, coiled pattern. But with the right care and patience, your hair will thrive!

Remember, everyone’s hair is unique, so what works for someone else might not be the right choice for you. Our stylists know how to care for 4C hair and can help you establish a workable routine.

Therapy Hair Studio Is All About Curly Hair

We encourage anyone with 4C hair to embrace their natural curls and coils. Our stylists can recommend the right products and routine to give your hair a beautiful and distinctive look. Call us today or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.


Botched Haircut? We Can Fix It! Tricks We Use to Make You Look Good Again

Few things in life inspire pure terror like a bad haircut does. Your hair is an essential, inescapable part of your style, and botched haircuts are difficult to hide. You might get away with using a hat or elegant scarf to cover an awkward haircut, at least in the short term, but you will still have to look yourself in the mirror every day.

The most important thing to remember if you get a botched haircut is not to panic. At Therapy Hair Studio, we know how unpleasant a bad haircut can be and want to make you look your best. Our highly trained and experienced stylists have many tricks for fixing a botched cut so you can regain your confidence and show off your hair with pride. We’ve included some of our techniques for fixing a botched haircut below, and you can visit our contact page to schedule an appointment.

Tips for Fixing a Botched Haircut

Some techniques we use to fix a bungled haircut include:

  • Hair extensions – If a stylist cuts your hair too short and you’re not satisfied with your new look, hair extensions are an effective way to conceal a botched cut. When properly added, extensions look close enough to your normal hair that most people won’t notice the difference. You can also use hair extensions to experiment with your style while you wait for your hair to grow back. Try using extensions to play with your hair’s volume, highlights, or length until you find a look you like. Clip-in extensions are a great short-term solution for a botched cut, or you can use tape-in extensions or nano-ring extensions if you don’t want to bother redoing your clip-in extensions every day.
  • Braids or buns – Fixing a haircut can be challenging if you typically wear your hair loose or down, but braids or buns can help conceal a botched cut. Braids and buns help disguise a bad haircut by drawing attention away from the areas of your hair you don’t like. There are all sorts of braid and bun styles you can use, from French braids and crowns to top knot buns or low buns. You can also mix and match braids with buns to create a stunning new look.
  • A new hairstyle – If you haven’t tried a new hairdo in a while, a botched cut is an opportunity for you and your stylist to find a different look. If you usually wear your hair long, a pixie cut, shag cut, or another style for short hair makes a statement while still looking beautiful. Those with typically shorter hair can add extensions, clip-in bangs, or other techniques to add volume and length, making it easier to hide a botched haircut.
  • Hair accessories – One of the best ways to disguise a botched haircut is to draw the eye to a fun or flashy hair accessory. Headbands, barrettes, clips, scarves, bandanas, and other accessories add flair and color to your look while covering up or camouflaging a bad haircut. Accessories with jewels, lots of color, or other eye-catching elements are a particularly effective way to draw people’s eyes away from the areas of your hair you don’t like.
  • Hair products – You’d be surprised how well the right hair products can clean up a botched cut. Depending on your style and situation, you can add waves, texture, highlights, or volume to your hair and hide a bungled haircut.
  • Wigs – If all else fails, a wig can completely hide a botched haircut. The fun thing about wigs is that there are so many styles to choose from, and you don’t have to wear a wig that mimics your typical style. Why not try a wig with a different look, length, or color from what you usually wear? You might end up liking your temporary style so much that you keep it once your hair regrows.

fixing a botched haircut

Get a Botched Haircut? Let Therapy Hair Studio Fix It!

No one wants to walk around with a bad haircut, and the team at Therapy Hair Studio is here to help you look your best. Our stylists have experience with many kinds of hairstyles, and we carry all the hair products you need to keep looking fabulous. Call us today at (713) 355-4247 or visit our contact page to schedule an appointment.