How to Maintain Healthy Hair Between Salon Visits
Taking care of your hair doesn’t stop at the salon. While professional treatments, trims, and colour sessions at Hair By GV in Etobicoke are essential for keeping your hair in top shape, what you do between appointments plays a huge role in long-term hair health. From product choices to everyday habits, small adjustments to your routine can help you maintain that freshly styled, healthy look longer. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to maintain salon-quality hair at home—no matter your hair type or style.
1. Know Your Hair Type and Needs
The foundation of a good hair care routine is understanding your hair’s unique texture, porosity, and structure. At Hair By GV, every client receives personalized attention, and the same approach should continue at home. Is your hair fine, thick, curly, straight, color-treated, or prone to dryness?
Your hair type determines:
How often you should wash it
What kind of shampoo and conditioner to use
Whether you need oils, creams, or protein treatments
How your hair responds to heat or humidity
For example, curly or textured hair tends to be drier and benefits from moisture-rich products and protective styles, while fine or straight hair might need lightweight formulations to prevent build-up.
2. Use Professional-Quality Products
One of the best ways to extend the benefits of your salon visit is by using salon-grade products at home. Drugstore shampoos often contain sulfates and parabens that can strip your hair of moisture and colour, while professional lines are designed to protect and nourish.
Ask your stylist at Hair By GV to recommend:
A sulfate-free shampoo and hydrating conditioner
A leave-in treatment or oil to protect ends
A deep conditioning mask to use weekly
A color-protecting line if you dye your hair
Pro tip: Don’t overdo it with products. Using too many, or applying them too often, can weigh your hair down and clog your scalp. Stick to a consistent, tailored routine.
3. Wash Your Hair Less Often
While it might be tempting to wash your hair every day, over-washing can strip your scalp of natural oils, leading to dryness, frizz, and even excess oil production as your scalp overcompensates.
General washing guidelines:
Curly or coily hair: once a week
Wavy or thick hair: 2–3 times per week
Fine or oily hair: every other day or as needed
Dry shampoo is a great tool to refresh your hair between washes, but avoid over-reliance—it can lead to build-up if not properly washed out after a few uses.
4. Protect Your Hair While Sleeping
Your nighttime routine is just as important as what you do during the day. Here’s how to protect your hair overnight:
Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction and prevent breakage
Wrap your hair in a satin scarf or bonnet
Use a loose braid or bun to prevent tangles
Avoid sleeping with wet hair, which is more prone to damage
These simple adjustments can help you wake up with smoother, more manageable hair.
5. Keep Up with Heat Protection
Flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers are amazing for styling—but they can also be damaging without proper protection. Always use a heat protectant spray or serum before styling, even if you’re only using moderate heat.
Keep hot tools set to medium heat (below 400°F/200°C), and try to limit heat styling to a few times per week.
You can also try heatless styling methods—like braids, twist-outs, or rollers—on off-days to give your hair a break while still looking polished.
6. Trim Regularly (Yes, Even Between Salon Visits)
Split ends can travel up the hair shaft if left untreated, leading to breakage and thinner-looking hair. While it's best to visit Hair By GV in Etobicoke for professional trims every 6–8 weeks, you can also maintain your ends at home between appointments by:
Dusting tiny split ends using hair-cutting scissors (never regular scissors!)
Avoiding tugging when brushing or detangling
Using nourishing oils on ends to keep them hydrated
Don’t attempt full cuts at home—leave the shaping and layering to the professionals!
7. Deep Condition Weekly
A weekly deep conditioning treatment helps restore moisture, strengthen hair strands, and add shine. This is especially important if your hair is:
Chemically processed (color, bleach, relaxers)
Frequently heat-styled
Exposed to sun, wind, or environmental pollutants
Use a rich mask with ingredients like:
Argan oil
Shea butter
Coconut oil
Keratin or hydrolyzed proteins
Apply from mid-lengths to ends and leave it on for 10–20 minutes with a shower cap or warm towel for better absorption.
8. Focus on Scalp Health
Healthy hair starts at the root. An imbalanced scalp can lead to issues like dandruff, itchiness, or hair thinning. Treat your scalp like skincare by:
Gently exfoliating once a week with a scalp scrub
Using a scalp serum to rebalance oil production and encourage growth
Avoiding heavy products that clog follicles
If you notice persistent scalp issues, the team at Hair By GV can recommend in-salon detox treatments tailored to your needs.
9. Stay Hydrated and Nourish from Within
Your hair’s health is also a reflection of what’s going on inside your body. Make sure you:
Drink plenty of water
Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, E, and Biotin
Get enough protein, which is essential for hair growth
Consider supplements if recommended by your stylist or healthcare provider
10. Know When It’s Time to Come Back to the Salon
Even with the best at-home care, some things are best left to the professionals. Schedule a salon visit when:
Your colour is fading or your roots are growing out
You see split ends forming
Your hair feels dry, dull, or unmanageable
You want to try a new look or get a seasonal refresh
Our team at Hair By GV in Etobicoke is here to bring your hair back to life and give you that boost of confidence every time you leave the chair.
Visit Hair By GV in Etobicoke to keep your hair healthy, vibrant, and styled to perfection. Whether it’s time for a trim, colour refresh, or a nourishing treatment, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Book your appointment today at hairbygv.com or call 647-390-1254.
