Oils and dirt on unclean hair will cause the flat iron to singe and irreparably damage your tresses, so always make sure that your hair is freshly washed and conditioned before flat ironing or applying any kind of heated tool. Even touching up your hair with the flat iron the next day after washing is extremely risky and should be avoided.
Not all alcohol dries out hair and causes frizz--some types of alcohol, such as fatty alcohols, can actually draw in moisture and help prevent hydration loss. Lauryl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Myristyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, and Behenyl alcohol are all fatty alcohols that are typically derived from various natural sources such as coconut. These fatty alcohols are usually found in moisturizers and conditioners and can give a smooth, soft feeling to the hair shaft by helping the cuticle to lie flat on the surface of the hair. You don't have to feel guilty for using a product containing a fatty alcohol as long as you are happy with the results, and your hair looks and feels healthy.
A lemon treatment can help remove product buildup from your hair and add a brilliant shine. To make, combine the juice from 1 large lemon with about 1 tablespoonful of conditioner. To use, first rinse your hair thoroughly with water. Second, wash your scalp (preferably with conditioner). Third, pour the lemon treatment over your head and distribute throughout your hair. Fourth, rinse your scalp and hair thoroughly with water and then condition and style as usual. A lemon treatment is a healthy and natural way to moisturize, cleanse, and clarify and can be used whenever your hair looks dry and dull.
Most shampoos contain harsh detergents that can strip hair of moisture and amino acids and make it look dry and dull. This is harmful because hair needs to retain some natural oils to protect it and the scalp. Fortunately, you can wash your hair by applying conditioner to your scalp, gently rubbing your scalp with your fingertips to wash it, and then thoroughly rinsing your hair and scalp with water. Now your hair and scalp are clean, and you may continue with your normal conditioning routine. This technique works well and is much healthier for your hair.