Do you look in the mirror and instead of beautiful, shiny, and healthy hair, you see dry and dull strands? Even though you use a modern hairdryer, visit the hairdresser regularly, and your bathroom shelf is overflowing with care products, the condition of your hair isn't improving? Contrary to appearances, washing your hair isn't as simple as it seems. Learn a few tips to improve the condition of your strands.
1. Hair doesn't like hot baths
Excessively hot water causes hair to lose its shine, making it dull and lifeless. High temperatures cause hair cuticles to open, which causes them to lose their shine. Therefore, it's best to wash your hair in lukewarm water. However, remember that water that's too cold will prevent the cuticles from opening at all, preventing the beneficial ingredients of shampoo or conditioner from penetrating the deeper hair structures. Balance is key.
2. Washing your hair is not washing
Unfortunately, constant rushing and lack of time cause us to wash our hair quickly and carelessly. We rub, tug, and pull. Such "treatments" should be strictly prohibited and eliminated from our hair care routine! Hair treated this way becomes brittle, dull, and fragile. Above all, comb your hair thoroughly before washing. Unfortunately, we often use combs with too many teeth, which pull at the hair. Try to detangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb. While washing, remember to gently massage your scalp. This stimulates circulation and, consequently, accelerates hair growth.
3. Squeeze the water out vigorously with a towel
Squeezing and scrubbing too hard with a towel will mechanically damage the hair. We often treat our strands this way, mainly due to a lack of time. We just want to dry them as quickly as possible and then we move on. This is a very disastrous approach – hair loses its softness, becomes rough, dull, and, in addition, brittle and damaged. So, how can you properly dry your hair? After bathing, squeeze out excess water with your hands, then do the same with a towel, and finally wrap it around your head in a "turban." Another mistake is leaving the towel on your hair too long. This can result in steamy hair.
4. To dry or not to dry?
Dry your hair, but wisely and thoughtfully. Above all, dry your hair with a lukewarm, not hot, stream of air from a distance of about 30 centimeters from your head. Always dry in the direction of hair growth, i.e., "downward." Too hot an airflow and drying from the bottom open the hair cuticle instead of sealing it. This causes dullness and damage to the strands. A brush will be helpful, as it additionally seals the cuticle, smoothing and tightening the hair.
5. Inappropriate cosmetics
The power of advertising can sometimes be detrimental. This is certainly the case here. If you're using a shampoo or conditioner just because your friend does, or a coworker recommended it , you're making a mistake. There's no one-size-fits-all hair care product. If you have dry hair, use products that moisturize it. If you struggle with dandruff , choose products that will eliminate it. Don't be fooled by pretty packaging or the fact that everyone's using that new shampoo, so you will too. Choose your cosmetics wisely. Also, remember that they often contain preservatives (including parabens, as we wrote about here ) and artificial detergents (e.g., SLS, SLES, and here ), which can cause scalp irritation, itching, or inflammation. So always read labels!
6. Too much of anything is unhealthy
Hair doesn't respond well to either too many products or too many treatments. Using several styling products at once can make your hair heavy and limp, and your hair will tend to become greasy. Try to choose one product that's best for your hair and use it to style it. Too many hair treatments — dyeing, straightening, blow-drying, curling — also aren't good for your hair. If you've been going through a lot lately, be sure to give your hair a break by applying a nourishing mask, even overnight.
7. Proper diet
Your diet has a significant impact on the condition of your hair. Eating in a hurry, drinking too much coffee, or drinking too little water can weaken your hair and cause it to fall out. If you've noticed these symptoms, you should supplement your daily diet with minerals and vitamins, including fresh vegetables and amino acids like eggs, meat, and cheese.
If you've realized that you've been washing your hair incorrectly, implement changes and develop good habits today. Beautiful hair is our calling card, so it's worth keeping it in top condition. It doesn't take much to achieve the desired effect. However, if you're still struggling with your hair — it's constantly brittle, dull, and falling out—be sure to see a doctor — a trichologist or dermatologist.
