You’ve washed your hair, dried it and spent another ten minutes trying to make the ends behave.

It still feels rough, and you’re already reaching for the straighteners again.

If that sounds familiar after summer, take a look at your routine before buying another treatment.

How you handle your hair can affect how it looks and feels.

These five tips draw on guidance from local hair professionals and dermatologists, who treat skin, hair and scalp conditions. 

They’re habits you can carry into winter and keep using throughout the year.

1. Wash for your hair, not somebody else’s timetable

A friend might swear by washing once a week. That doesn’t mean it will suit you.

Wash according to how oily or dirty your hair gets.

Fine, straight hair may need washing more often than dry, thick or curly hair.

Concentrate shampoo on your scalp the skin beneath your hair rather than scrubbing it through the ends. Let the lather rinse through the lengths.

2. Put conditioner where you need it

Use conditioner after shampooing. For fine or straight hair, concentrate on the ends; dry or curly hair can benefit from conditioner through the full length.

Follow the instructions on the bottle.

At your next haircut, explain what happens at home: does your hair feel greasy quickly, stay dry at the ends or become difficult to comb?

Those details help a hairdresser suggest something suited to you.

3. Stop rubbing it dry

It’s tempting to give wet hair a vigorous rub with a towel when you’re running late. That can cause damage.

Gently wrap it in a towel or T-shirt to absorb water instead.

You can make this change at your next wash without adding a single product to the bathroom shelf.

4. Take your time with knots

Use a wide-toothed comb and work from the ends upwards, easing out small tangles.

Straight hair can dry a little before combing. Thick, curly hair is often easier to detangle with conditioner still in it.

If the comb catches, stop and loosen that knot gently rather than pulling harder.

5. Turn down the styling heat

Use a low or medium heat setting and reduce how often you use straighteners or curling tools.

When heat styling, use a product designed to help protect hair from heat, following its instructions.

Think about when you reach for the tools out of habit.

 Could you skip straightening on a day when you’re going to tie your hair back anyway?

If you do tie it back, keep it comfortable. A ponytail or bun that pulls tightly can also cause damage.

What’s your biggest hair frustration when the weather turns colder?

Tell us what you struggle with and what you’ve already tried. Your question could feature in a future hairdresser Q&A.

Know someone who’s always asking what to do about their hair?

Send them this and compare notes.