Do It Yourself Or Dial A Stylist?
There's no shame in wanting to do your hair at home. It saves money and feels rewarding. Still, some fixes aren't worth the risk, especially when mistakes lead to lasting damage. So, to help you decide what's safe and what's not, here's a split list. Let’s check out the DIY tips first.
1. Coconut Oil For Deep Conditioning
Before shampooing, warm coconut oil between your palms and coat dry hair from mid-length to ends. It works best on coarse or damaged textures. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then cleanse well to avoid a heavy residue.
2. Egg And Olive Oil Masks For Protein Boost
To strengthen weak strands, combine one raw egg and olive oil. The protein fortifies while the oil moisturizes. Apply on the ends; never on the roots. This simple mix is perfect after color treatments or sun exposure.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
3. Apple Cider Vinegar For Removing Scalp Buildup
Is buildup weighing your strands down? Mix one part ACV with four parts water and pour it through clean hair. It clarifies the scalp and adds light-reflecting shine. Use it monthly because too much acid can dry out your natural oils.
Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse | K&K Minute by Kortney and Karlee
4. Aloe Vera Gel For Hair Strengthening
Aloe vera soothes irritated scalps with its calming, anti-inflammatory properties while nourishing the roots. Apply the gel to clean hair, let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse to help repair and strengthen strands.
Aloe Vera Curly Hair Wash Routine to Grow, Moisturize & Define Your Curls by Lotus Flower Life
5. Cold Water Rinses To Seal Hair Cuticles
Close your wash day with cold water. This quick blast tightens the hair cuticle, which reduces frizz and locks in moisture. People with high porosity strands will find it helpful. For best results, angle the stream downward so the cuticles lie flat.
6. Banana Honey Hair Mask For Frizzy Hair
Banana helps soften the hair, while honey draws in moisture, making them a perfect pair for dry, unmanageable strands. Leave it on damp hair for 20 minutes, but make sure you strain it well—those banana pieces love sticking to curls.
7. Omega-3s And Antioxidants For Scalp Health
Omega-3s in foods like salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts may help reduce inflammation around hair follicles. This can also improve hydration and manage shedding over time. It's a simple, diet-based way to care for your hair from within.
8. Satin Or Silk Pillowcases To Reduce Breakage
Swap cotton for satin. Why? Less friction, less damage. While you sleep, hair glides smoothly across the surface, and that prevents split ends and tangles. Curly hair types benefit the most, but it's a win for all textures.
9. Rice Water Rinse For Strength And Shine
Packed with inositol and amino acids, fermented rice water may boost hair strength and reduce surface damage. Pour it over clean hair, wait 10 to 20 minutes, and rinse. Stick to weekly use, as too much protein can make hair stiff.
YAO RICE WATER METHOD FOR LONGEST HAIR EVER! *step by step* by Doro Cubillo
10. Scalp Massage To Support Circulation
Scalp massages aren’t just relaxing—they support hair health. Applying gentle pressure boosts blood flow, helping nutrients reach your roots. Try adding a few minutes to your wash day or nightly routine to support growth and reduce tension.
You've seen what works in your own space. But these 10 things need a stylist's chair, not your sink. Here's where the pros come in.
1. Keratin Treatments For Smoothing Hair
Frizz control and easier styling come from the heat-sealed protein delivered during a professional keratin session. This salon-grade process is not DIY-friendly since improper heat use can lead to lasting damage.
2. Scalp Detox Treatments
Buildup from products and dead skin clogs the scalp, making hair dull and heavy. A professional scalp detox uses exfoliating treatments and massage to clear blockages and restore balance. It’s helpful before coloring or when the shampoo isn’t enough.
3. Professional Hair Coloring
Box dye might save money, but professional color saves your hair. Experts tailor formulas to your undertone and porosity. They also prevent uneven results and banding. You'll leave with even color and won’t have to worry about patchy strands.
4. Chemical Relaxers For Hair Straightening
This isn't a DIY moment. Relaxers permanently alter your hair's structure, making the strand straight instead of curly. Timing and application must be precise—too long, and the scalp burns. A trained stylist knows when to start, stop, and safely neutralize.
5. Hair Extensions Application
Extensions can add more length or extra volume, but the method matters. Tape-ins or fusions all require a professional placement to avoid tension spots and breakage. In fact, improperly installed hair can even lead to traction damage.
6. Precision Haircuts
Cutting your own hair sounds easy—until you’re uneven on both sides. Real shape and structure come from pro techniques like angling and sectioning. If you’re thinking about trimming a bob or layers yourself, maybe sleep on it first.
7. Deep Conditioning Treatments
Salon heat-activated masks go beyond surface-level repair. Professionals assess your hair’s condition and apply targeted formulas using steam or infrared heat to boost absorption. Unfortunately, most DIY masks lack this kind of concentration or tools.
8. Bond-Building Treatments
Bond-repair systems like Olaplex rebuild chemically damaged strands by targeting broken disulfide bonds—damage that deep conditioners can’t fix. These treatments require expert-level precision, and DIY attempts often fall short in both safety and effectiveness.
9. Haircuts For Curly Or Textured Hair
Curls behave differently when dry, which is why stylists who know curls always cut them that way. Snipping wet hair can flatten the pattern and ruin the shape. If you want to keep the bounce, book someone who knows how curls move.
10. Professional Blowouts
Your bathroom blow-dry isn't the same as salon blowouts, and you know it. Professionals use nozzle control and heat distribution techniques that create lift and shape. Plus, they often last three to five days with minimal effort.
