Do you ever stand in the shampoo aisle at the grocery store, dreaming of the day when you will be able to buy shampoo for "normal" hair? Well, if you need help dealing with either oily hair or dry hair, here are some very useful tips and suggestions:

How to deal with oily hair:

Use a mild shampoo - if you wash your hair every day, it is better to choose a mild shampoo over one designed specifically for oily hair because the latter shampoo might be too harsh. Sure, it might get rid of the oiliness of your hair, but it could damage it in the process!

If you use a certain shampoo for a week or two and you do not notice any change (or you notice a change for the worse), try out a new shampoo. It might take a bit of trial and error before you find a shampoo that works well for you.

While shampooing, be gentle. Massaging your scalp fiercely will create more oils.

Keep your hair lathered up for up to five minutes before you your rinse.

Shampoo again if your hair was particularly oily.

If you must use a conditioner, choose a very light conditioner or one that is specifically made to treat oily hair.

Apply the conditioner only to the ends of your hair.

Be sure to fully rinse the conditioner out.

Comb your hair once or twice throughout the day to help redistribute the oils - comb it only briefly, though, and try to avoid combing directly on the scalp. This could cause you to distribute oils that might have just stayed on your scalp.

For a quick fix, spritz some water onto your hair and then blow-dry it.

Some people (especially those with lighter hair) find that sprinkling a little baby powder in their hair and ten brushing it out can help eliminate the oily appearance.

How to treat and prevent dry hair:

If you absolutely must use a blow dryer, use it on a low and cool setting. Also, stop before your hair is completely dry (and do not start until your hair has had a little chance to air dry).

Do not wash your hair every day. Let your scalp's natural oils help treat your hair.

Use a shampoo that contains humectants (like panthenol or glycerin) which will encourage water to bind to your hair to reduce dryness.

Use acidifiers - they lock in moisture at the cuticle (at the "root" of the problem, so to speak).

Leave the conditioner in your hair for up to five minutes.

In addition to your regular routine, do a deep-conditioning treatment once a week.

When out in the elements (especially the drying sun) where a hat.

Where a swim camp when swimming - you can even put a conditioner on your hair before you put your swim cap on (watch out, though - the cap might slide off if you use too much!)

Avoid coloring, straightening, or perming your hair.

Change your diet! Eat plenty of essential fatty acids (but avoid cholesterol).

Apply a few drops of safflower oil to your hands, rub them together, and then work some of it into the ends - it does not take a lot!

You could also take a teaspoon or so of safflower oil orally daily.

Realize that when your hair is wet, it is more susceptible to breakage - it stretches. Do not brush your wet hair.

If your dry hair or oily hair persists, even after trying these suggestions, condsider speaking with a hair dresser or dermatologist.