Common every day habits lead to healthy hair and ward off complications ranging from dry itchy scalp to dandruff and hair loss. Keeping hair healthy often is more about what not to do than what products or procedures you should be doing. Hair usually grows in naturally with enough oil to keep it healthy and shiny. Chemicals and styling are the main causes of problem hair.
Air Dry
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, vigorously toweling hair dry is one of the main culprits of hair breakage. Whenever time allows, let your hair air dry. Wrap it in a towel to soak up the excess water and reserve combing or brushing until after it's completely, or mostly dry. A quick hit of a hair dryer while styling often can prove just as effective as holding the hair dryer on your head for five or 10 minutes right out of the shower.
Stop Brushing
Many kids are taught that the more they brush their hair, the healthier it will be. In fact, the opposite is true. Doctors at the American Academy of Dermatology report that the 100 brushstrokes a day theory is an old wives' tale. Ideally, you should use a wide-toothed comb to detangle hair and touch up your style occasionally throughout the day. Brushing hair leads to breakage and split ends. When the end of a hair becomes split, the separation continues up the hair strand to the follicle, causing that hair to fall out.
Hang Loose
Hairstyles, clips and rubber bands are other culprits that can do significant damage to hair. Styles such as pony tails, dreadlocks and tight buns pull the sensitive hairs, causing them to break and fall out. The stress of some styles is generally damaging to both the healthy look of your hair and to your scalp. Continued tension from tight hairstyles can lead to traction alopecia and permanent hair loss, also seen in people who compulsively pull on their hair. Try to find a natural hair style that doesn't require any hooks or bands.
Condition
Conditioning after washing hair is one technique you should incorporate into your daily hair care regimen. Conditioners that contain sun block are especially effective for maintaining healthy hair. Ultraviolet exposure dries out hair and causes it to be more susceptible to breakage. Additionally, any scalp that's showing through your hair when you're out in the sun increases your chance of getting skin cancer. Melanoma on the scalp is a serious disease that you can avoid with sunscreen on your head. Better yet, wear a hat when you're outdoors to save your skin and your hair.
Member Comments