From wash routines to heat styling: Your biggest haircare questions answered
Regardless of how often we frequent the salon, or how many hundreds of dollars we drop on hair products, many of us are guilty of not knowing some basic, and truly fundamental, hair knowledge.
If you're in this camp, never fear. We've done the research so you don't have to and are here to answer some of your most pressing hair care questions.
How often should I wash my hair?
There's no right or wrong. According to Sydney hair stylist, Cara Clyne, "every second day is sufficient for straight to wavy hair. If your hair is oily then every day is ideal, and people with very curly and dry hair can get away with every four to seven days."
It can also depend on your scalp – for example, how often it produces natural oil, whether you use a lot of hair products or no hair products at all.
What should we look for in a shampoo?
With so many choices out there, shopping for the right shampoo can be difficult to navigate.
The two key things to look for in a shampoo is finding the right formulation for your hair type and finding good quality ingredients.
There is no one-size fits all approach when it comes to shampoo, and different formulas are designed to work with different hair types. For example, dry and dull hair will need a shampoo with heavy moisturising qualities, vs oily hair which will need a product that can provide a deep cleanse to restore balance to the strands and scalp.
Higher quality products will include a healthy mix of vitamins and oils, to nourish and care for your hair with every wash. However, it's just as important to look at what shouldn't be in your shampoo. Avoid products that contain parabens, alcohol and dyes which can dry out and irritate your hair and scalp.
How can I blow dry my hair quicker?
A common mistake is trying to smooth the hair with a round brush too soon, going in when the hair is still half wet. It's best to dry it at least 70-80 per cent first and then use the brush, as this will cut down a lot of drying time.
Is heat bad for my hair?
Clyne warns of the damage of not protecting your hair before using heat tools.
"Try styling hair without curlers or straighteners some days of the week," she says. "And use a heat protectant, such as TRESemmé's Heat Defence Spray which will block friction to protect the hair cuticle, leaving it smooth and soft."
Make sure you're not using hot tools on a setting that's too high for your hair type. Most people use the highest settings by default, but finer and thinner hair only requires 160 to 180 degrees to curl, while thicker or coarse hair may use the highest temperature of 210.
What's the best way to grow and maintain long hair?
Get regular haircuts to keep hair healthy and reduce breakage, eat a nutrient-dense protein-rich diet, avoid overheating hair and when using hot tools make sure to use a heat protectant.
Also keep hair hydrated with a good quality shampoo and conditioner, such as TRESemmé Length Protect which contains biotin, coconut and jojoba oils to hydrate and strengthen your ends, protecting from breakage.
How can I keep my colour from fading?
After your salon visit, wait at least 72 hours before washing your hair, and for the first four weeks reduce the number of times you wash your hair each week.
Once your regrowth comes out, your natural hair will show more oil from the scalp, so you can increase the shampoo frequency. Another tip is to minimise the use of hot tools. So instead of curling or straightening every day, you can do it once a week to give your hair a break.
