How to care for combination hair

Combination hair requires some balancing, but with the right method, it is definitely manageable. If you have combination hair, your scalp usually has a mixture of dry and oily patches. This can make selecting the appropriate products and regimens feel a little challenging. But don’t worry, you can maintain the best-looking hair with a few easy steps.

Focusing on keeping balance is essential for managing mixed hair. Products that can manage the oiliness in certain areas and deliver moisture where it’s needed are what you should use. This typically entails shampooing the oilier areas with a mild, clarifying shampoo and conditioning the drier ends with a nourishing conditioner. Finding the happy medium ground between the two sections of your hair is the key.

Preventing over-washing your hair is another crucial piece of advice. Washing too frequently can deplete the natural oils on your scalp, making it more irritated and dry. Instead, to help manage oil without over-drying your hair, try to wash your hair two to three times a week and use dry shampoo in between washes.

An effective hair care regimen can significantly improve results in addition to the appropriate products. Consider using a hair mask or conditioning treatment on a regular basis, particularly for the drier areas of your hair. This will keep the oilier sections of your hair from getting greasy while keeping it moisturized and manageable.

It gets much easier to take care of mixed hair when you follow these easy steps. It all comes down to striking the correct balance and adhering to a schedule that suits you. You’ll have vibrant, healthy hair that feels and looks amazing very soon!

Step	Action
1	Use a gentle shampoo suited for combination hair, focusing on the roots to control oiliness.
2	Apply conditioner only to the ends of your hair to avoid weighing down the roots.
3	Wash your hair regularly but avoid overwashing to prevent drying out the ends.
4	Incorporate a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove buildup from the scalp.
5	Use a lightweight leave-in conditioner or hair serum to add moisture without greasiness.
6	Limit heat styling to prevent damage and maintain the balance between the scalp and ends.
7	Regularly trim your hair to keep the ends healthy and reduce split ends.

Diagnostics and reasons

Hair that combines the traits of the two primary types—oily and dry—is referred to as mixed or combined type. Owners of a mixed type have dry ends and oily roots as a result of this combination.

With long hair, a mixed type is typically diagnosed. This is because sebum, a secretion secreted by the scalp, is only concentrated on the root area and cannot be distributed along the entire length.

Indices of a hybrid type:

• greasy, oily roots that get dirty within a few hours after washing;
• dry ends prone to breakage and split ends;
• slow growth – the result of clogged pores of the scalp with sebum;
• hair at the roots seems thicker than at the ends – a consequence of breakage and split ends.

Using two paper napkins, you can empirically determine the combination type. If the napkin is of the combination type, oil stains will still be present after pressing it against the roots for a brief period of time. The napkin will stay dry if you "blot" the ends after wrapping them with another. In order to ensure objectivity, it is preferable to perform the experiment 1-2 days after washing, rather than on a clean head.

The combination type is most frequently acquired naturally, meaning that it results from either internal or external factors during a specific stage of life.

The most typical reasons consist of:

• violation of the vitamin-mineral balance;
• improper nutrition;
• mistakes in daily care – intentional overdrying of the ends, provocation of sebum production;
• love of thermal styling.

There are other causes, such as sickness or hormonal imbalance, but these should be diagnosed by a physician and treated appropriately. Consult a specialist rather than self-medicating if there is reason to believe that the change in hair type was caused by internal factors.

Let’s take a closer look at the external, modifiable causes and figure out how to make things better.

Combination hair, which has both dry and oily sections, requires a balanced care regimen that takes care of both conditions without taxing your ends or scalp. You can keep your hair looking healthy and shiny by using a mild shampoo to control oiliness at the roots and a nourishing conditioner to the drier ends. Your hair will stay in the best possible condition and feel the most comfortable with regular conditioning treatments and no heavy products applied to the scalp.

Vitamins and poor nutrition

Even though these factors were previously discussed separately, they should be taken into account collectively because insufficient nutrition is closely linked to vitamin deficiencies.

So, in terms of hair, what constitutes poor nutrition is as follows:

• "empty food". These are all products that do not contain anything in their composition except fast carbohydrates and harmful fats. Bad fats are cholesterol, saturated and trans fats. Excessive consumption of harmful fats leads to increased activity of the sebaceous glands and, as a result, increased oiliness of the scalp;
• love of "pronounced tastes" – sweet, salty, spicy. The downside is the same as with fats – products stimulate the production of sebum, which on combination hair does not spread along the length and is concentrated at the ends.

Changes in the quality of the scalp and hair in general are unavoidable if the diet is restricted to the products in the aforementioned categories. Furthermore, internal issues pertaining to the pancreas, liver, and stomach may also manifest.

The issue resulting from the aforementioned dietary mistakes is an imbalance in the body’s supply of vitamins, or more accurately, a lack of vitamins necessary for the skin’s regular operation.

Among the "hair" vitamins are:

• vitamin A – normalizes the sebaceous glands, prevents dryness;
• vitamin E – participates in tissue respiration, is associated with the regenerative function of cells;
• vitamin C – protects against external factors, strengthens the skin barrier;
• vitamins of group B – ensure the normal functioning of the sebaceous glands, participate in cellular respiration, prevent hair loss.

We advise beginning treatment with the combination type while making dietary changes. You must eat lean meat, nuts, fresh or steamed vegetables, and fish. Vitamin supplements will assist in restoring the balance if there is no chance to establish food, such as during a diet. After seeing a doctor and passing the tests, it is preferable to start taking vitamins because taking too much of some vitamins can make the condition worse.

Mistakes in care and styling

The most common cause of hair loss is improper grooming and behavior. Combination hair usually transitions from oily to normal, but there have also been cases in the past of dry hair that started out fat at the roots.

"Bad habits" with hair maintenance:

• The wrong washing scheme. Advertising is to blame. Remember the shampoo advertisement – in 9 out of 10 cases, the girl in advertising applies shampoo along the entire length and that there is strength, launders the whole arm of hair. You don"t need to do this. Shampoo is applied only to the root part, where it is foamed and distributed by massage movements. The length, especially with a combined type, is not so dirty, so the foam flowing from the roots during rinsing will be enough to clean it. When you wash the lengths too much, you not only damage your hair – it is even more fragile when wet, but you also dry it out with shampoo once again.
• incorrectly selected care products. The main problem with the funny type is the need to cover the needs of both dry ends and oily roots, and unfortunately, you can"t do it with just one shampoo. When caring for such hair, it is recommended to use shampoo for oily hair and wash the roots with it, and for dry ends, purchase an additional product with a nourishing and restorative effect. This can be a mask, serum, special oil. The product selected for the ends is applied to 1/3 of the length, that is, only to those areas that are prone to dryness, brittleness and split ends. It is important that all products except shampoo are applied exclusively to the length, retreating 5-6 cm from the roots.

• frequent thermal exposure. To turn your hair into a funny "help" curling irons, hair dryers and hot rollers, which dry out the hair shafts along the entire length, depriving them of moisture. During the recovery period, it is recommended to avoid styling at all, but if this is not possible, use a curling iron or straightener at the lowest temperature, and a hair dryer at the cold air setting. Don"t forget about heat protection – it will take on some of the heat exposure.
• Wearing a hat incorrectly. There are two extremes here – either neglecting a hat altogether, or fanaticism and wearing a hat everywhere. A hat is a really necessary item in the wardrobe, which protects hair follicles from hypothermia in winter, and reduces the degree of exposure to ultraviolet radiation in summer. At the same time, it is recommended to remove winter hats indoors and in transport, since the sweat glands become active, and the problem of greasy roots worsens. It is also recommended to wash hats regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria on the inside.

Care for mixed hair

Let’s talk about shampoo first. Shampoo for odd hair types is primarily used for cleansing. The presence of nourishing, warming, and moisturizing ingredients is undesirable because the hair has oily roots.

It’s okay if the shampoo includes:

• zinc. It has an antiseptic and antifungal effect, but for daily use it is allowed in minimal quantities;
• herbal extracts. Chamomile, nettle, oak bark are especially good for oily roots;
• vitamins;
• essential oils – tea tree, citrus.

However, since fatty base oils in shampoo can exacerbate the oiliness of the roots, it is best to stay away from them.

Pay attention to the fact that the composition contains mild surfactants that cause minimal damage to the structure of the hair shaft, since some of the shampoo still affects the ends when flowing. See the article about different types of shampoos for more information on the functions and kinds of surfactants.

In case you haven’t discovered your shampoo yet, examine these more closely:

• shampoo for oily hair "Lavender" from Levrana. It normalizes the sebaceous glands and increases the interval between washes. Since the shampoo acts gently and does not contain aggressive surfactants, at first you need to get used to it. The manufacturer admits that this will require 3-4 washes;
• shampoo for oily scalp BIOLAGE CLEANRESET. The product without parabens improves the sebaceous glands and regulates sebum production.

Make sure the conditioner you choose complements the shampoo. From the same line as the shampoo, ideally. With an indentation of 5–6 cm from the roots, the conditioner is applied longitudinally. You can soften the ends, close the scales, and give the curls a healthy sheen by using the conditioner.

Regarding the shampoos we mentioned earlier as examples, Levrana also sells a natural conditioner called "Lavender" that is suitable for oily hair. The balm’s formula is made to work in tandem with the shampoo to provide the greatest possible impact.

Don’t overlook the need for extra caution. A girl with a mixed type of hair should have the following in her arsenal:

• mask. Hair mask is used 1-2 times in two weeks. Like balm, it is applied to the length. Typically, the composition of the mask consists of nutritious or moisturizing components – both for mixed hair are welcome. For the dry part of the hair, a good mask from Bouticle is an intense moisturizer based on argan oil;

• Protective funds. The protective is the previously mentioned thermal protection – a means to protect against the consequences of bitterness of laying, as well as a spray for protection against ultraviolet radiation. UV spray helps to protect dehydrated ends from the aggressive influence of the sun and prevent the aggravation of the problem. All funds are also applied only to the length. Thermal protection is applied before laying a hairdryer or curling iron, and sprays from the sun – before going out into the street during solar activity;
• scalp scrub. A couple of years ago, a seemingly unnecessary product is increasingly settling on the shelves with women"s products. The purpose of a scrub is to remove dead cells and excess sebum, which is important for oily roots. When choosing a scrub, pay attention to the label – there should also be a note on what type of hair the product is suitable for. In the case of combination hair, look for the inscription "for oily hair".

In relation to scrubs, we will focus especially on at-home recipes because of how frequently they appear on the network’s pages. It is not advised to use DIY scrubs for oily scalps; the primary reason for this is that the ingredients are not properly combined.

For instance, you can use the following mixture to make a scrub for oily scalps:

• coconut oil;
• table salt.

Let’s start with the basics. Although coconut oil is said to be a solution for every issue, its dense molecules have a tendency to build up on the surface and form a film. Coconut oil is incredibly difficult to remove from roots. Such a scrub will yield results that are better than expected because it will make the roots even greasier. It is advised to apply coconut oil to the entire length of hair when using it on hair.

While salt is not inherently bad, it should be considered that it comes in various grinds. Because the injured area will be covered in a film, too big abrasive particles can compromise the integrity of the skin, which when combined with coconut oil can certainly cause inflammation.

This is why we advise using store-bought scrubs that are already assembled, as the manufacturer has already considered potential negative effects. Of course, you should only select ready-made items from reputable brands and make informed decisions.

Although managing combination hair may seem like a balancing act, you can control both oily and dry areas of your hair with the appropriate technique. To begin, select products based on your individual needs. Use a mild shampoo that removes dirt without drying out your hair and a conditioner that nourishes the drier areas of your hair without making it feel greasy.

It’s crucial to refrain from over-shampooing your hair. Washing too often can dry out the ends and make oiliness worse. To avoid product buildup on your scalp, try to wash your hair a few times a week and use a clarifying shampoo infrequently.

Regular treatments can have a significant impact. Oil production can be controlled with a balancing scalp treatment, and the dry areas of your hair can be kept healthy with a lightweight, hydrating mask. You can keep up a youthful, healthy appearance by customizing your hair care regimen to the particular requirements of combination hair.

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