If you’re going to grow out your hair then we all know that you are a patient man. Growing out and managing healthy long hair requires a lot of patience. It’s not a quick process, it will take time, and you are more likely than not going to experience growing pains. Whether your hair is curly or straight, you will not only need the right skincare and hair styling products, but you will also have to ensure you are using them religiously. Here are 7 tips on how to manage long hair and keep it healthy in the process: 

1. Cut your hair every eight weeks

Yep, that’s the golden number and the secret trick to managing and maintaining long and healthy hair. This will slow down your hair growth a little, but it will ensure that all your hair is growing out healthy and without brittles or split ends. Ultimately, you will gain more length than you will use: your stylist will layer the hair and texturize so that it grows out in a pleasing and pretty way, as opposed to the awkward bush it would have otherwise been.

2. Use conditioner daily, shampoo twice a week

It sounds odd, we know, as conditioners are known to make your hair lumpy and oily (but not if you’re using the right one). Your hair desperately needs oils from your scalp to nourish it, because they keep it healthy and hydrated. Shampoos normally strip away the oil, so this is why you need to shampoo sparingly if you want your hair to grow out in a healthy way.

3. Pay special attention to your scalp

It is a logical equation: healthy hair means healthy scalp. You always start at the roots. So pay special attention to them since it is the bed for follicles that allow your hair to grow. When you shampoo, condition, or rinse, make sure to scratch the scalp gently to get rid of any buildup.

4. Ionic blow dryer and a heat protectant are your buddies

Blow drying your hair is the best way to lock in your style, and that is important because it will save you a lot of strain for the year, while also maintaining your mane. But you have to make sure it’s an ionic blow dryer because it dispels less heat but will dry your hair without frying it technically. Heat damage is the main cause of hair damage, so you may also want to consider using a pre-styling heat protector balm. 

5. Use hair masks

If you’re going to have long hair, it has to look healthy, otherwise it would be too shabby and not chic at all. Use a hair mask weekly in order to retain healthy strands and avoid your hair from drying out. Use as directed and preferably after a wash. If you use a hair mask, you can skip conditioning it for that time. 

6. Brush your hair every night

If you brush your hair every night before bed, the natural oils that live in your scalp will be distributed evenly and throughout all your hair strands. This prevents split ends and brittle hair. It is also surprisingly soothing and feels like a scalp massage (we all need those!)

7. Have styling products on hand and practice a grooming routine

We said it once and we’ll say it again, you have to use targeted styling products, and have a strict regimen about using them. If you care for your hair’s health, it is of utmost importance that you follow a grooming routine and get the necessary products for your hair’s health and growth.