To start off right, you must understand your hair type. For this you could visit a trichology centre for a scalp and hair analysis. Says Keirron J. Patil, Trichologist, Rich Feel Trichology Centre, “A trichogram is a pretty good indicator of the condition of your hair and indicates clearly what steps you should take.”

Once you’ve got better acquainted with the personality of your hair, you learn how to maintain, nourish, and style it with the right products. (Do remember that your diet too affects your hair.) With companies offering such a wide choice of products, buying the right ones and using them correctly can make a big difference to the way your hair behaves. Let’s see what the experts have to say about various kinds of hair needs.

Dry Damaged Hair
Dry, brittle hair is a common complaint – caused by over-exposure to the sun, chemical processes, under-conditioning, too much of drying and styling, or can be a hereditary condition.

Meryl Joy Whabi of Visible Changes, at Hotel Sun ‘n’ Sand, suggests conditioner-based shampoo. “Avoid shampoos that are clear in colour; they contain little to no moisturiser. Opt for a pearlized one that is made for dry, damaged hair.” She recommends Pantene Extra Treatment Shampoo. “Shampoo is important and conditioner is even more so,” she says.

Somya Irani of Chez Somya swears by the Liss Extreme leave-in conditioner. She also likes Wella products. “The beauty of these products is that each hair type has its own exclusive pack. Use products from the same line in sequence for maximum benefits,” she advises.

Fazila Ashar of Gazelle, who sticks with L’Oreal products, tells us that both Liss Control and Liss Extreme are great choices. She also suggests using L’Oreal’s Osmose smoothing shampoo and conditioner and deep conditioning protein treatment.
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Split Ends
If you have split ends, avoid alcohol-based styling products and shampoos. The only way to get rid of split ends is to trim them off. Get a quarter of an inch trimmed off every six to eight weeks. Use a treatment for split ends, a leave-in conditioner with a light hold, or pomade just on the tips - these can help to temporarily seal the splits. “You can also camouflage split-ends with a blow-dry,” Fazila says.
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Colour and Chemically Treated Hair
If your hair is damaged from chemical treatments – straightening, perming or colouring, use a shampoo and a conditioner designed to repair the damage. Somya suggests using Wella’s colour protectant shampoo and conditioner. She also suggests massaging the Wella spa treatment into the scalp. Meryl Joy suggests John Frieda’s shampoo for coloured frizzy hair, L’Oreal’s Vitamino colour shampoo and conditioner, and the Schwarzkopf Bona Cure repair shampoo and conditioner. Fazila suggests L’Oreal Power Care colour shampoo and treatment spray to reconstruct damaged coloured hair. Kaizeen Buhariwala of Kaizeen Body Salon suggests the Wella Color Preserve shampoo, which moisturizes, washes away build-up but not hair colour.
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Frizzy and Curly Hair
Curly hair is naturally more porous than straight hair, and it absorbs the extra moisture in the air, causing the shaft to expand and frizz. The magic potion for this condition: serums. Applied a little at a time, serum turns extremely damaged hair silky, healthy and strong. Kaizeen suggests using a Wella Finishing Spray, styling mousse and John Frieda’s Frizz Ease. Fazila tells us that the L’Oreal anti-frizz spray is also extremely effective. Frequent shampooing can dry out hair and cause frizzing. Use silicone based products to control the frizz. You could also try The Rich Feel hair repair serum. For a poker straight, smooth and shiny finish Somya advocates L’Oreal Hot Style Iron Finish. If you have beautiful curly hair, Fazila suggests keeping the curl with Techni Art L’Oreal Rain. For that mussed-up look, she endorses L’Oreal Clay. The Wella hair putty texturizer is ideal for creating a fashionably untidy look. It also accentuates hair colour and highlights.
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Oily Hair
Those with oily hair should avoid shampoos that are creamy in appearance, as they contain oily compounds. Meryl Joy recommends Herbal Essences Daily Defense conditioner and shampoo. Wash your hair with Neutrogena Residual Removal shampoo every fortnight to get back the shine, she advises. Often the culprit is over-processed hair. Once you have done this Somya advises using a Wella High Hair Gloss spray and shine crème. Kaizeen tells us that the Wella gloss gel is light holding and gives a 1000-watt shine. “Use the Wella pure crystal lotion for natural bounce,” she tells us. Meryl Joy suggests the L’Oreal Sebo Control Volume Energy for fine oily hair. There are also certain acidic rinses available. The Rinse by Paul Mitchell is a great option.
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Normal Hair
If you have normal hair, untouched by any kind of chemical treatment, use a mild transparent shampoo. Avoid shampoos that contain too much detergent. “Treat your hair well, take frequent oil massages,” Kaizeen suggests. You could try the Rich Feel Arnica shampoo and conditioner.

All these products are available at most salons and custom notified shops. Ask your stylist questions, read labels, and you’re sure to find a winning combo of products that give your hair a head start!
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Rich Feel Trichology Centre, 132, Sohrab Hall, Pune-411 001,
Phone: 26056005 / 9823014460

Chez Somya, Dhole Patil Road, Pune- 411 001, Phone: 26122808

The Gazelle, Dhole Patil Road, Pune-411001, Phone: 26120526

Visible Changes, the Unisex Salon, Hotel Sun ‘n’ Sand, Bund Garden Road, Pune-411 001, Phone: 26137777

Kaizeen Body Salon, Flat No. 5, Bhatnagar Garden, Off Salunke Vihar Road, Pune- 411 048., Phone: 30906885 / 9823021892

- Ritika Ramtri Kumar