Hair care guides
Plain-language guides about hair care. Each guide shows whether our dermatologist has reviewed it yet.
All hair care guides
25 articlesHair loss in women: causes, blood tests and treatments
The main types of hair loss in women, the blood tests worth asking about, and the treatments with real evidence, from minoxidil to fixing low iron levels.
HairShower filters and hard water: do they help hair and skin?
Do shower filters work? What hard water and chlorine do to hair and skin, what filters can and cannot remove, and simpler fixes like chelating shampoo.
HairHow to get rid of dandruff: what works and how to use it
What causes dandruff, which anti-dandruff shampoo ingredients help, how to use them for straight, curly and coily hair, and when flakes are something else.
HairRosemary oil for hair growth: what the research really says
The small trial behind the rosemary oil trend, what it showed and didn't, how to use rosemary oil safely on your scalp, and how it compares with minoxidil.
HairHow to grow hair faster: what really helps and what is a myth
How fast hair really grows, why slow growth is often breakage, the habits that help you keep length, and the myths about trims, inversion and biotin.
HairMinoxidil for women: how to start and what to expect
Minoxidil for women explained: 2% vs 5%, foam vs solution vs low-dose tablets, how to apply it, the early shedding phase, side effects and when it works.
HairHair porosity: how to test it and care for low or high porosity
What hair porosity means, why the float test can mislead, simple clues to find yours, and routines and products for low, medium and high porosity hair.
HairCurly hair routine: wash day, styling, drying and refresh
A simple curly hair routine: wash day, detangling, styling, drying and day-two refresh, with tips for wavy, curly and coily hair and the Curly Girl Method.
HairFrizzy hair: why it happens and how to tame it
Why hair gets frizzy in humidity or after damage, an easy anti-frizz routine, the ingredients that help, and what to know about salon smoothing treatments.
HairSplit ends and breakage: what helps and what is a myth
Why split ends and breakage happen, why no product can truly repair them, the stretch test, and simple habits and products that help keep hair longer.
HairCastor oil for hair, brows and lashes: real or hype?
Can castor oil grow hair, brows or lashes? What the evidence says, how to use it safely, risks like eye irritation and hair felting, and proven options.
HairRice water for hair: how to use it without protein overload
What rice water can and can't do for hair, how to make and use a rinse safely, why it leaves some hair stiff or dry, and how often to use it.
HairGrey hair: why it happens early and can it be reversed?
Why hair turns grey, what counts as premature greying, health causes worth checking, whether stress greying can reverse, and how to color or care for grey hair.
HairPostpartum hair loss: when it starts, peaks and stops
Why hair sheds after birth, when postpartum hair loss starts, peaks and ends, what helps in the meantime, which tests to ask about, and when to see a doctor.
HairScalp care and scalp oiling: a simple routine for a healthy scalp
Scalp care made simple: how often to wash, gentle exfoliation, scalp serums, how to oil your scalp safely, when to skip oil, and signs you should see a doctor.
HairBatana oil for hair: what it can do, and the hair-growth claims
Batana oil for hair: where it comes from, what it can do for dry, coarse hair, why there is no proof it regrows hair, how to use it, and who should be careful.
HairBond builder for hair: how it works and what it can and can't fix
What hair bonds are, how bleach, relaxers and heat weaken them, how bond builders work, salon versus home use, and how they differ from protein.
HairHeat protectant: how it works and how to use it
How heat protectant works, how to apply it before blow-drying and flat irons, how to lower heat damage with smart settings, and when to see a doctor.
HairOily scalp: how often to wash and what actually helps
Why some scalps get greasy fast, whether washing more or less matters, how often to wash, which shampoos and ingredients help, and when it is not only oil.
HairDry shampoo: how to use it without hurting your scalp
How dry shampoo works, how to apply it, how often is too often, what the benzene recalls meant, and tips for dark hair, curls and sensitive scalps.
HairProtein vs moisture: the balance your hair needs
How to tell if your hair needs protein or moisture, signs of protein overload, how to read ingredient lists, and a simple routine to keep hair soft and strong.
HairItchy scalp: common causes and what helps each one
The most common causes of an itchy scalp, from dandruff and dry scalp to product allergies, psoriasis and lice, how to tell them apart, and what to do for each.
HairClarifying shampoo: when to use it and how chelating differs
What clarifying and chelating shampoos do, how they differ, signs your hair needs a reset, how often to use them, and how to protect colored, curly and dry hair.
HairHenna and hair dye: what is safe to mix and what is not
Pure henna vs compound and "black henna", why henna and chemical dye or bleach can clash, the strand and skin tests to do first, and how to switch between them.
HairTraction alopecia: tight styles, scarves and your hairline
How tight braids, weaves, ponytails and headscarves cause traction alopecia, the early signs, how to protect your hairline, and what may help regrowth.