Maison D’Auraine
18-Sep-2026
Attention should be given to the needs of the hair instead of always trying to fix it.
For most of us hair care begins with some kind of problem to deal with—this could be frizz, dryness, an oily scalp or a lack of shine. In these cases the usual reaction is to look for a fix. However, to know what your hair really needs you have to look beyond the obvious. The needs of your hair and your scalp varies from person to person. Can also change depending on the seasons, your lifestyle, the way you style your hair and any chemical treatments you have had. Since people are now more aware of the ingredients and are more interested in beauty routines, the conversation about hair care is slowly moving away from using more products towards understanding hair better and building a routine based on its specific needs.
Gurnish Jain, director at Maison D’Auraine highlights the importance of understanding the difference between the needs of the scalp and the needs of the hair, “the first step towards effective haircare is understanding that your scalp and hair can have very different needs. Paying attention to how both respond to your products, routines and daily habits is key to building a haircare regimen that truly works for you."
The scalp has an influence on the look and health of the hair and is often forgotten when making a hair care plan. If the scalp is oily, effective cleaning and balancing is needed, while for a dry or uncomfortable scalp, a gentler approach should be used. Your scalp might need cleaning if you often feel oily, have buildup or have greasy hair right after washing. On the other hand, over cleaning could cause a tight, dry or itchy scalp. Understanding these signs will help us decide how to wash our hair and what kind of shampoo to use. A well-maintained scalp provides the foundation, while properly cared-for lengths help preserve the hair’s softness, strength and natural movement.
A common issue is a scalp while the middle sections and ends are dry. This situation can make it hard to find the product because shampoos and conditioners meant to deeply moisturize the ends might feel heavy near the roots while those that focus on removing oil can make the ends drier.
Gurnish says, “A balancing shampoo can be used to cleanse and maintain the scalp, while conditioning and nourishing treatments should be focused primarily on the mid-lengths and ends. This targeted approach helps maintain a healthy scalp while keeping the lengths soft, nourished and manageable"
If you think of all the hair on your head as either oily or dry it is better to realize that different parts may have different needs and therefore create a more thoughtful hair care routine. The scalp and the lengths don't have to be treated in this way.
Also hair can show its needs through changes in texture, look and behavior. If the hair looks dull or heavy it may be because of too much product, oil or buildup; if it is dry, rough or brittle it may need more conditioning and nourishment. Lack of moisture is often linked to frizz and difficulty in managing the hair while a lot of breakage or visible damage may suggest the need for a preventive approach.
It does not mean that you need a new set of products; instead the signs can help you decide which part of your current routine needs more focus. By understanding these signals you can avoid the habit of adding more products without first dealing with the main issue.
Each step in a hair care routine has a purpose. The main job of shampoo is to clean the scalp and hair removing oil, dirt and buildup. On the hand conditioner is meant to make the hair softer, smoother and easier to manage especially in the middle and ends. Serums and hair elixirs give targeted nourishment. Help with issues like dryness, frizz and dullness.
The goal is not to use all the products that're available but to understand when and where each step is useful. A thought-out routine is one where each product has a purpose instead of just having more steps.
Hair care is not fixed because outside conditions can change the way hair behaves and what it needs. A routine that works in one season may not work the same in another. When the air is humid hair can become frizzy and harder to manage. On the other hand dry air can make hair feel rough and less moisturized. Regular use of heat styling, coloring and chemical treatments can also change the condition of your hair over time.
Therefore it is important to check your hair care routine. Just sticking to the products because they have always been part of the routine does not always mean your hair gets what it needs right now. Like the skin can react differently when the environment changes hair too can need changes based on the conditions it is exposed to.
The growing interest in hair care has also made people try products, treatments and trends. However, having a routine does not mean your hair will be healthier. "Hair care should be purposeful, not excessive. When you know your problem you can pick products that have a specific purpose instead of always adding more products to your routine " says Gurnish.
A focused routine is also practical. When you try products at once it is hard to know which ones work and which you don't need. By being more careful you can see how your hair reacts and make changes as needed.
A personalized hair care routine does not have to be complicated; it can start by asking three questions: What is the condition of my scalp? What are the main problems with my hair?. What does my hair usually go through?
As people learn more about hair care the conversation has moved from fixes to long-term hair health. People are not just looking for products that promise results but are paying more attention to the ingredients, formulas and routines that suit their specific hair problems.
All image credits: Unsplash
Dr. Priyanka Sharma
