How to Maintain Long Hair

Have you tried to maintain your long hair without success? If so, you're not alone. Long hair requires a calculated effort based on a strong understanding of what long hair needs. That's what we're going to help with in this article. By the end, you'll know exactly how to maintain your long hair. 

Wash And Condition Correctly

Washing and conditioning your long hair (and really any hair) is essential. You’ll wash to remove any debris, oils, product buildup, etc. - anything that could clog your scalp follicles, make your hair look dirty, or put a damper on styling. Conditioning post-wash is also crucial. It brings moisture back into your hair after your shampooing session.

For the best results, use a shampoo with gentle yet effective cleansers. Scrub it into your roots, avoiding the mid-lengths and ends until just before rinsing. As for the conditioner, slather it on your ends and mid-lengths, not your roots.

Deep Condition as Needed

If your long hair is frizzy, unmanageable, dry, or otherwise in need, grab a deep conditioner. Apply it to your hair in sections, then put on a processing cap and sit under a hooded dryer for up to 30 minutes to enhance product penetration.

After rinsing the deep conditioner out, you'd be surprised at how smooth and silky your hair is. Do this one to eight times a month or in a pinch when your hair needs it. 

Get Your Hands on A Good Leave-In Conditioner

Leave-in conditioner comes in handy when your hair needs extra moisture or protection from the elements. It can also be used as a detangler or styler if it's formulated for that purpose.

Daily Dose leave-in conditioner can be sprayed on as needed to give your hair a mega dose of moisture, protection, and manageability. Use your leave-in conditioner after conditioning or in a pinch when your hair needs a little more oomph. 

Detangle Regularly with the Right Tools

The longer your hair gets, the harder it is to detangle. To tackle the detangling process without breaking your hair or getting frustrated, you need the right tools for the job:

• A wide tooth comb or detangling brush.

• A detangling spray that makes your hair slippery.

Do you normally go by the “100 strokes a day” rule, where you make 100 passes with a brush or comb every day? This is not only unnecessary but potentially harmful. The pulling and friction associated with detangling can lead to excessive shedding, split ends, and breakage.

Detangle your hair only as necessary, usually on your wash days. Always start detangling at the ends and work your way up to the roots. 

Promote Length Retention with Trims

Many think you can’t have long hair if you get trims. But that is not the case. If you want your long hair to thrive and grow longer, you need to trim it regularly to nip split ends and damage in the bud before they worsen. Trim a quarter of an inch of hair every 8 to 12 weeks. 

So, there you have it - how to maintain long hair. If you haven't already, we encourage you to check out Daily Dose leave-in conditioner. It helps to maintain your hair’s moisture levels, protect it from damage, help with detangling, and more. We hope you found all the information you were looking for, and we wish you the best with your hair. 

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.