1. Eat well and avoid crash dieting. A balanced diet is one of the most important ingredients for healthy hair.
   
   
2. Use the lowest setting on your hair dryer and keep it at a decent distance from your hair and scalp. Overheating your hair and scalp can cause breakage.
   
   
3. Protect your hair from the elements by using products that contain natural sunscreens, such as wild pansy and coffee extracts.
   
   
4. Wash your hair on a daily basis with a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo. The buildup of natural oils, styling products, and dirt from the environment can clog follicles and stunt hair growth.
   
   
5. Don't overbrush or overstyle your hair. Too much fuss can actually be damaging.
   
   
6. Use the appropriate brush for your hair. Natural wood and boar-bristle brushes are gentler, but some plastic brushes work well for those with medium to fine hair. Avoid using anything that pulls too harshly.
   
   
7. Chemicals in perms and some dyes can be rough on your hair in the long run, so use them as little as possible. Consider natural hair dyes and styles that complement your hair type.
   
   
8. After swimming in a pool, take extra-good care of your hair by washing and conditioning it thoroughly because chlorine is extremely damaging to the hair and scalp.
   
   
9. Relax. When you're losing it, you may indeed be losing it—your hair that is!

—R.M.