As hair has been associated with good health, beauty, and general wellness since the beginning of time, it’s not surprising if you feel a little underwhelmed when you’re having a poor hair day, week, month, or year. We must deal with our hair every day in some way, shape, or fashion because it covers our faces. It’s not surprising if you spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars each year on hair care and maintenance because it may also be something we take great pride in and put a lot of work into.
Although hair technically consists of dead skin cells (yes! ), it can and ought to be cared for and kept in good condition. According to Tina Malhotra, a stylist at the Mia Wagner Salon in New York City, “we are all born with a limited amount of follicles and can’t naturally develop new ones, so it’s crucial to take care of the hair we have.” For instance, exfoliating the scalp increases blood flow and facilitates the delivery of nutrients to the areas of the hair that maintain its healthy and glossy appearance.
As the location of the living portion of the hair, the scalp is often thought of as an extension of the face by Jodi LoGerfo, D.N.P., A.P.R.N., F.N.P.-B.C., a Family Nurse Practitioner credentialed in Family Medicine and Dermatology. In order to remove debris, sebum, and mineral buildup, scalp care is crucial and advises daily scalp cleansing (shampooing), which surprisingly few of us really do.
Moreover, protecting the scalp from ultraviolet (UV), or sun, is crucial, particularly for people with thinning hair (both men and women). She adds, “The outer cuticle of the hair shaft also has to be taken care of, as its covering surface expedites the removal of dirt, scaling, and flaking cells from the scalp.” The cuticle also serves as a crucial barrier and protector against the daily chemical and physical abuse our hair receives.
Regrettably, a lot of the routine behaviors that we implement into our way of life might harm the condition of our hair. This can not only make it harder to actually get the outcomes we want, but it can also seriously harm your hair in the process. Here, hair experts reveal some of the worst hair-related mistakes they’ve witnessed clients do, along with what they suggest doing in their place.
Often Washing Your Hair
It’s not advisable to wash your hair every day, despite how pleasant it feels to do so. This is due to the fact that frequent hair washing can strip the scalp of these vital oils, which your scalp releases to help moisturize and maintain the health of your strands. According to Bridgette Hill, a qualified trichologist, the objective is to achieve balance so that the scalp’s normal cleansing and functioning can continue in harmony. Rethink cleansing in terms of alternatives to shampoo, she advises, noting that a simple rinse beneath the shower head qualifies as a light cleanse. Co-washes, water-based rinses with hyaluronic acid or hazel, and rinses based on apple or cherry cider are excellent substitutes, according to the expert.
Taking A Hot, Steaming Shower
Even on a chilly winter day, taking a hot shower feels wonderful, but it’s not good for your hair (or skin for that matter). Our body, scalp, and hair lose the natural oils we stated from hot water. According to Hill, it also opens the hair follicles, making us more prone to breakage and damage. The best course of action is to take a shower in water that is lukewarm, or at the very least, cooler than 100°F.
Rocking Super-tight Buns
Although the ultra-sleek tight bun has clearly been resurfacing, Hill claims that it is bad for hair. “Depending on how tightly you’re tugging the hair and how frequently you wear this style, pulling the hair taught and using an elastic band can generate severe breakage and damage, not to mention a receding hairline,” she warns. Attempt to restrict how frequently you pull your hair back in a super-tight, slicked bun or ponytail, and be mindful of the hair accessories you use to prevent breaking the hair using the incorrect kinds of hair bands.
Running A Brush Through Wet Hair
Many individuals brush their hair as soon as they come out of the shower to avoid knots, but this can be detrimental to your hair’s health. This is due to the fact that wet hair’s reduced elasticity makes it more prone to breaking. Before using any style, metal, or boar bristle brushes to smooth and finish the hair, Hill advises air drying or rough drying the hair to 80–90%. He also suggests using a wide-bristle brush or a wide-toothed comb to gently break up tangles. She continues, “The hair is extremely fragile when wet, and using the improper brush can result in breakage and avoidable hair loss.”
Coloring Your Hair At Home
According to Gina Rivera, stylist and owner of Phenix Salon Suites, coloring hair at home, independently, and with over-the-counter materials is a serious issue, particularly when a lightning procedure is involved. Professionals are trained in and use chemistry in addition to technical procedures when whitening hair, according to the woman. “The outcomes can be both severe and unpleasant if lightening formulas are utilized on the scalp inappropriately and applied by a non-professional.” She advises constantly asking a professional for assistance on products, hiring them for color services, and getting their opinion on matters pertaining to scalp health.
Never Using Hair Masks Or Conditioners
Dr. LoGerfo notes that moisturizing hair after shampooing is crucial because it coats the outer cuticle and shields it from the daily assaults we subject it to. Hair conditioners are designed to work similarly to the body’s own sebum and improve hair manageability by reducing friction between nearby hair fibers, according to the expert. By putting positively charged ions on the hair shaft to balance out the negative charges brought on by combing and brushing, conditioning helps reduce static electricity and boosts hair’s resistance to mechanical insults brought on by routine grooming. For those with tightly curled hair in particular, she advises frequent conditioning because they may be more susceptible to mechanical damage from daily hair care practices.
Sunlighting
The majority of us are aware of the importance of protecting our skin from the sun with SPF and/or protective clothes, but we are often unaware of the extent to which the sun may harm our hair. In fact, Dr. LoGerfo draws attention to the fact that UV rays from the sun can harm the hair’s cuticle, which in turn can result in discoloration, dryness, brittleness, frizzing, and hair loss. It can also alter the color of your hair. She advises putting sunscreen on your scalp and adding a UV protectant to your hair when outdoors to protect them from sun damage. She continues, “Color-treated hair can fade or oxidize with sun exposure. Adding a UV protectant to your hair will help defend it and prevent it from oxidation. A
Use Of Heat-styling Tools Inappropriately
Even though you might like the way your hair seems after utilizing a curling or straightening iron on it, overusing these heat-styling equipment could harm your hair. In order to protect your hair’s health, Hill advises choosing modern technologies like titanium, ionic, ceramic, porcelain, and infrared. Also, she advises limiting the temperature of heat styling products to no higher than 375–400°F.
Failure To Live Healthy Lifestyles
Two significant lifestyle practices that can have an impact on your hair are getting adequate sleep and eating healthily. Dr. LoGerfo issues the following warning: “Insufficient sleep or poor sleeping habits have been shown to have negative effects on the body, which theoretically can change hormone levels and could negatively impact your health, which could have an impact on your hair.
An unhealthy or poor diet is associated with hair loss and abnormalities in the 랭크카지노 structure of your hair (more research is needed). Since hair follicles have a high rate of cell turnover, alterations or loss of hair may occur if you are not providing your body with a balanced diet or if you are lacking in proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
