Long hair is always in style. If you’re growing it out or you love your signature long hair, regular maintenance and healthy routines are absolutely essential. Whether you keep your hair shoulder-length, down the middle of your back, or even longer, healthy hair is easier to manage. Maintaining healthy long hair can be simple with the right tools and habits. The best things you can do to maintain your locks is to keep damage at bay and trim split ends. Follow these three sets of ‘do’s and don’t’s’ for a lifetime of healthy long hair.
1. Don’t Overuse Shampoo…
You might be washing your hair more than you should. The conventional wisdom used to be that you should shampoo your hair every day. But that can break fine hair and stress thicker, curly hair. Shampooing your hair too often can strip your scalp of naturally protective oils.
If your hair appears a dull and dingy between washings, try using a dry shampoo. Oribe’s Gold Lust Dry Shampoo soothes your scalp without drying it, and it won’t weigh down your hair. That gentle treatment and a boar bristle brush will freshen your locks until it’s time to wash them again. Boar bristles will help distribute oils along the length of the hair which will lessen the appearance of buildup on the scalp. When it is time to shampoo your hair, use a specialized shampoo and conditioner to prevent breakage and encourage healthy growth.
…Hydrate and Eat Healthy.
Healthy hair starts from the inside. Unfortunately, when the body doesn’t get enough nutrients, body systems such as hair and nail production are usually the first to be visibly affected. Make sure you eat well, exercise, and drink plenty of water. Illnesses and stress can also weaken your hair, but staying hydrated can help you keep healthy long hair even during seasonal changes. A healthy scalp leads to healthy hair that’s easier to clean and style. Don’t use a daily shampoo routine which strips the natural oils out of your hair and weakens the long strands.
2. Don’t Tease…
Teasing hair, which is also known as backcombing, is an easy way to add volume. But it is also one of the quickest ways to damage your hair. This volumizing cheat can cause breaks and split ends. It tears your hair’s protective cuticle cells away from the fibers, and that leaves your hair vulnerable to more damage. Instead of teasing your hair, add volume by using volumizing products, like Kérastase’s V.I.P. Volume in Powder dry hairspray for a reshapable hold.
…Be Gentle.
Being rough with your hair causes breakage, even if your hair is healthy. So use metal-free elastics when tying hair in a ponytail, and carefully unwind an up-do instead of yanking out the tie.
Also, replace any old combs or brushes that have a history of snagging in your hair. Combs and brushes should gently untangle hair, not rip or break the strands. Also, set aside enough time in your morning to brush your hair gently and slowly. This will keep your hair soft and strong. Using brushes with soft bristles will also help prevent unnecessary hair breakage.
3. Don’t Use Excessive Heat…
It’s okay to use a bit of heat to style your hair. But using excessive amounts of heat on your locks will lead to damage and will inhibit growth. If you’re trying to achieve curls, use foam rollers overnight instead of using a curling iron every day. For straighter hair, use a hair mask. If you do need to use a hairdryer, use it on the cool setting. It will take longer to dry, but this switch will minimize damage. When you do heat your hair, use a protective serum like Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil to nourish and strengthen each fiber.
… Schedule Regular Salon Trips.
If you want stronger, healthier hair, go to a professional salon to get started. Your trained stylist can recommend the best changes to your routine and trim your hair for healthier growth. It might seem counterproductive to trim your hair if you’re trying to grow it long. But regular trims is one of the best things you can do if you’re establishing length to your locks. Trimming split ends will make hair healthier, appear thicker and fuller. This will make hair grow faster as damage will be kept at bay and grow longer in a shorter amount of time.
A professional salon can also recommend the best products to both nourish your hair and make it easy to style. Long hair can be a handful, especially when it won’t cooperate. So talk to a stylist about how to incorporate good tools, natural products, and nourishing hair care routines. Regular salon trips aren’t just an opportunity to trim and re-style your hair. They’re the perfect opportunity to ask detailed questions and get expert answers.
If you want to have healthy long hair, our trained stylists at Deseo Salon & BlowDry can help. We can also help you nurture and maintain your hair during the swimming season. Contact us today to book your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tips for Healthy Long Hair
How often should you shampoo long hair without damaging it?
You don’t need to shampoo long hair every day, in fact, daily shampooing can strip the scalp of its natural protective oils, leading to dryness and breakage, especially for fine or curly hair types. Instead, extend time between washes and use a dry shampoo like Oribe’s Gold Lust Dry Shampoo on off-days to freshen your scalp without weighing hair down. A boar bristle brush also helps distribute natural scalp oils along the length of the hair, reducing buildup between washes.
Does diet and hydration really affect long hair health?
Yes, healthy hair starts from the inside. When the body doesn’t receive adequate nutrients, hair and nail production are typically among the first systems visibly affected. Eating a balanced diet, staying well-hydrated, and exercising regularly all contribute to a healthy scalp and stronger hair growth. Stress and illness can weaken hair as well, making consistent hydration especially important during seasonal transitions or demanding periods.
Why is teasing (backcombing) bad for long hair?
Teasing, or backcombing, might create instant volume but it damages hair at the structural level. The technique tears the hair’s protective cuticle cells away from the fiber, leaving strands vulnerable to further breakage, split ends, and frizz. For long hair, where damage is harder to trim away, this can be especially harmful over time. A safer alternative is using a volumizing product like Kérastase’s V.I.P. Volume in Powder dry hairspray, which adds lift without the structural damage.
What are the best ways to handle and detangle long hair gently?
Being rough with long hair, whether pulling out hair ties, yanking through tangles, or using worn-out combs, causes significant breakage over time. Use metal-free elastics when tying hair in a ponytail, and gently unwind up-dos rather than pulling ties out. Replace combs or brushes that snag. Use soft-bristle brushes and set aside enough time in your morning routine to work through tangles slowly and gently from the ends up, never from roots to tips.
How much heat styling is safe for long hair?
Some heat styling is fine, but excessive heat is one of the primary causes of long hair damage and stunted growth. If you want curls, try foam rollers overnight instead of daily curling iron use. For straightening, consider hair masks as an alternative approach. When you do need heat, always apply a protective product, Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, for example, nourishes and strengthens each strand before heat is applied. Using the cool setting on a blow dryer is also recommended.
Why do long hair experts recommend regular trims if you’re trying to grow your hair?
It may seem counterproductive, but regular trims are essential for growing long, healthy hair. Split ends, if left untrimmed, travel up the hair shaft and cause breakage, which actually makes hair shorter and thinner over time. Trimming split ends keeps hair looking fuller and thicker, allows it to grow longer without breaking off, and maintains the overall health of your length. Visiting a professional salon every few months for a small trim protects all the growth you’ve achieved.
What role does a professional stylist play in maintaining healthy long hair?
A professional stylist does more than cut hair, they assess your hair’s specific condition, growth patterns, and challenges and recommend the right products and routines for your needs. Regular salon visits are an opportunity to ask detailed questions, get expert guidance on incorporating better tools and products, and catch damage early before it spreads. A trained stylist can also identify issues like breakage patterns or scalp concerns that are harder to spot on your own.
Where in Denver can you get expert long hair care advice and styling?
Deseo Salon & BlowDry in Denver is an excellent resource for anyone growing or maintaining long hair. Their trained stylists can recommend the best changes to your daily routine, trim split ends with precision, and suggest professional products from brands like Kérastase, Oribe, and Kevin Murphy to keep your long hair strong, shiny, and manageable. Located in Denver’s Highlands neighborhood, Deseo serves clients from across the Denver metro area.
.