3 Small Tweaks, Big Results: Healthy Hair and Scalp Habits

Good hair and scalp habits can completely change the feel, texture, and overall quality of our hair. There are so many small factors playing a part in whether we are having a successful hair day. When I think about the habits that actually move the needle over time, the ones that add softness to our ends, help manage frizz, or keep the scalp microbiome happy, it is usually the simple things that make the biggest difference. Hair and scalp issues can be frustrating to solve alone, so here are a few foundational habits that can transform your routine and prevent future problems.

My first favorite ritual is mindful brushing. Wet hair and dry hair behave very differently, and most people do not realize how fragile damp hair really is. Wet hair can stretch farther, yes, but that also puts it at higher risk for snapping, especially those new baby hairs. A lot of people want to detangle their hair in the shower, and I understand the convenience, but I am not the biggest fan of that. It is easier and more mindful to detangle before you get in while the hair is dry, and then again after the shower with a flexible bristle brush like a Wet Brush. Feeling that gentle stretch feedback with your fingertips while shampooing helps prevent accidental breakage and lets you check in with how effective your cleansing mechanics are. I am also rarely a fan of silicone scalp scrubbers on wet hair because the hair is simply too vulnerable in that saturated state.

Always start brushing from the bottom. It prevents mechanical damage, shortens detangling time, and keeps you from creating uneven, dry, split areas that only a haircut can fix. The nape of the neck is especially prone to stubborn tangles. I will be honest. Sometimes, out of laziness, I go to bed with my hair still braided from earlier in the day, and I wake up with the back completely locked into the braid. The morning detangle always reminds me why preparing the hair for bed with a simple dry brushing ritual makes such a difference.

When we skip brushing on fully dry hair, we also miss a key moment to redistribute those healthy protective scalp oils throughout the midlengths and ends. It is similar to tilling soil to move nutrients through. Brushing helps your natural oils travel down the strand where they actually benefit you. A nighttime brushing ritual can help manage oil pooling at the roots and support your preferred wash schedule. Using a quality brush such as a Mason Pearson or the vegan Denman version gently exfoliates the scalp and polishes the hair, often reducing the need for added styling oils. You can genuinely feel and see the difference. And if you are trying to fit new habits into real life, be flexible. I sometimes detangle in the car. If someone uses a topical growth spray, the most realistic time might be right after work instead of before bed. The habits that stick are the ones you can actually maintain.

One thing I wish everyone knew is that most people would benefit from regular scalp treatments. Many of the issues clients bring into the studio, such as flakes, buildup, oily roots that return too quickly, or a scalp that does not feel fresh even after washing, can drastically improve with gentle, consistent exfoliation. This is especially helpful if you shampoo every three to four days or if you prefer not to double cleanse each wash day. Thick hair often has multiple hairs packed closely together in each follicular unit, which lets dead skin collect between them. Fine hair benefits from exfoliation because it helps maximize volume by removing oil and buildup that can weigh it down. And let’s be honest. Maintaining steady friction while shampooing can be tiring. Most people have a better washed side and a side where the arm gets tired. A scalp treatment fills in those gaps and gives a more complete clean.

One of my favorite options is the Oribe Exfoliating Scalp Treatment. The glass tip applicator makes it easy to work through the hair and focus on stubborn areas, like the lower nape that tends to stay damp longer and can become a trouble zone for the scalp microbiome. I always recommend gentle, reputable products that only buff away what is ready to shed. Never harsh scraping or aggressive techniques like the ones we see go viral in TikTok head spa videos. Those methods can cause irritation and delay healing. If you have an inflammatory scalp condition, please see a dermatologist alongside any haircare support.

While your scalp treatment is working, it is the perfect moment to add a mask on your ends. Winter in the Berkshires means hats, scarves, helmets, heaters, and friction from layers, all of which pull moisture from the hair. If your hair is already a bit dry, textured, color treated, heat styled, or if it has simply been a while since your last trim, adding a weekly mask can bring back softness and shine. Longer hair is older hair. Every inch has lived through weather, styling, cleansing, and daily wear. If you are navigating thyroid challenges, menopause, or frequent grey coverage, your ends may need even more support. A proper mask can nourish, protect, and support your growth progress without requiring you to overhaul your entire routine.

Healthy hair does not require a complicated routine. It just needs the right habits. Almost every scalp or hair frustration I see in the studio comes down to basics that were never taught to us or that get lost in the noise of everyday life. Once those foundations are in place, everything begins to shift. Frizz settles. Dryness softens. Buildup clears. The scalp starts to feel balanced instead of overwhelmed. And if you are dealing with flakes, breakage, or a routine that is no longer giving the results you want, this is exactly where a trichologist can help. My job is to help you understand what your hair is asking for and which small changes will make the biggest long-term difference.

Disclaimer: I am a Clinically Certified Trichologist, not a medical doctor. This information is for education only and is not medical advice or a claim that any product grows hair. My goal is to help you support healthy hair habits and a balanced scalp environment. Please see a doctor or dermatologist for any medical concerns.