We all want our hair to look good anywhere and everywhere. But there are some hair care habits we’ve picked up over the years that aren’t actually good for us. There are different ways that we can damage our hair, so read on and learn a thing or two with this list of hair loss prevention hacks.
Let’s start with not washing your hair everyday.
The frequency of washing will depend on a person’s hair type and scalp texture. That ranges from how oily the hair gets and personal hygiene preferences, but washing too frequently is not healthy.
Washing every day strips the hair of its natural oils which can cause a dry, itchy scalp and damaged, dull hair. But that being said, don’t wash too infrequently either or you’ll have greasy and dirty hair. Try every 2-3 days, but always after you sweat.
Don’t Tie Up Your Hair When It’s Wet
You’re probably doing it out of habit but it’s bad for your hair growth. Hair is way more fragile when wet, so it is more prone to breakage when tied up.
The reason hair is fragile when wet is because the hydrogen bonds in it are weaker. That means the elasticity is higher, which causes hair to stretch and snap.
Remove the Nozzle From the Dryer
One of the world’s best-known stylists, Michael Van Clarke, says: “Your nozzle unnecessarily concentrates the heat and can lead to excessive damage.”
So if you want to blowdry your hair, it is far more advisable to remove that nozzle.
He even advises people trying to grow their hair to “keep a one-inch distance from the hair when you’re drying it and stop drying once a section is dry,”
Don’t over-dry your hair. Use the heat only when necessary.
Massage Your Scalp
Stimulate those hair follicles to help produce thicker and more resilient hair. Researchers say that regular scalp massages can drastically make hair grow faster.
Massaging the scalp increases hair thickness since it stretches the cells of follicles. Scalp massages can assist in dilating blood vessels beneath the surface of the skin which helps encourage hair growth.
Keep Your Hairbrush Clean
A dirty and unclean hairbrush filled with dust and dead hair can cause damage to your scalp and hair. Old, dirty brushes can cause thinning, stunted growth, and staph infections.
Clean out the fluff and hair caught in the bristles using a comb, then soak the brush in either a cup of warm water and vinegar or baking soda overnight. Do this every few weeks.
Sleep With Your Hair Down
The pressure on your tied up hair when sleeping is far more harmful than you think. It can cause strain on the scalp, eventually leading to damaged and thin hair.
If you cannot sleep with your hair loose, try tying it in a loose braid. That should save the ends from unwanted breakage, and even give you gorgeous wavy curls when you wake up.
Clips vs Hair Ties
Tying up hair in a tight ponytail or bun can cause kinks and stunted growth. It may damage hair whenever strands get caught in the tie. Hair clips are a better option for keeping hair out of your face while still protecting the strands.
A claw clip or barrette provides less friction and breakage but be careful not to clip your hair up too tightly, since that will defeat the purpose. Keep it loosely tied to avoid shedding and damaged hair.
Use Oils
Various scientific studies state that there are carrier oils and essential oils that have been tested and recommended for promoting hair growth. The oils you use depend on your hair type and how dry your hair gets.
Coconut oil is one of the more popular ones since the vitamins and fatty acids inside it help seal and moisturize hair. That helps prevent a flaky scalp, dandruff, split ends, and overall breakage when used for a long period of time.
Don’t Brush Wet Hair
Hair really is more fragile when wet so brushing can do more harm than good since it is more vulnerable to breakage and split ends.
Allow your hair to air-dry after washing before trying to get rid of any knots or frizz. Always brush slowly and gently when it has dried. Rough brushing can result in more damage.
Metal Detox
If your hair is prone to breakage after a color treatment, then it may be caused by excess metal inside hair fibers, particularly copper. Copper can wind up in hair due to pipe erosion, causing it to be in the water you use to wash with every day.
Ingredients in coloring treatments that activate the dye can cause a negative reaction when met with copper. It makes strands more vulnerable.
Go for products like L’Oréal’s Metal Detox range, since it works wonders for ridding hair of excess metals. Treat your hair with citric acids, lemon juice, and tomato juice since they are proven to be effective methods.
Ditch the Plastic Comb
These cheap plastic combs can create static electricity in your hair, and that causes unwanted frizz. Static and frizz makes hair dry and brittle, leading to breakage, split ends, and hair loss.
Go for a soft-bristled brush instead. It is way more gentle and works great for any hair type.
Don’t Use Box Dye
Box dye isn’t formulated to the same standard as the professional color treatments found at the salon. They usually contain PPDs and other chemicals which can harm hair and overall health. Not to mention the color never truly turns out the way you want it.
Wait a little longer to save up some money, then go to a professional. You’ll be thanking the experts for this advice.
Shower After Exercise
Exercise means sweat so naturally, that means we are dirtier than ever. Showering after an intense workout should be a common hygiene practice. And make sure to clean your scalp.
A dirty scalp causes clogged hair follicles and even hair loss. You don’t need to shampoo your hair every time, but do run your hair and scalp under the water to help keep it clean.
Use A Hair Mask
Like skincare, hair care shouldn’t end with a simple wash. There are other hair care treatments recommended for strong and healthy hair. Like making use of a hair mask.
Get hair masks designed for your hair type at any drugstore, salon, or online. There are even tons of DIY hair masks with recipes that include household ingredients like honey, apple cider vinegar, and even brown sugar.
These are all great for promoting hair growth.
Keep Your Stress Levels In Check
Stress wreaks havoc on our skin and health, and it does affect the quality of our hair. Emotional and physical stress can cause brittle and thinning hair, plus hair loss.
Stress is a part of life that we all need to deal with. Try to manage your stress levels with regular exercise, enough sleep, and having a healthy work-life balance. Don’t forget to take a moment to breathe deeply every day too.
Prevent Sun Damage As Often As Possible
Bathing in the summer sun and soaking up the heat feels so good, but remember that our bodies are sensitive to UV rays. Skin can burn so it needs protection like sunscreen, and that goes for our hair and scalp.
Scalp damage from the sun can lead to inflammation and that impedes healthy hair and growth. Pack a hat if you’re planning on heading to the beach for a day in the sun.
Use Shampoo That Contains Zinc
Zinc helps keep the oil glands around hair follicles functioning, and is imperative for hair tissue growth and repair. If you are suffering from brittle hair or hair loss, it could be because you need more zinc.
Other than taking daily zinc supplements and eating foods with zinc, use a shampoo that contains even a small amount of zinc to promote hair growth and hair tissue regeneration and repair.
Use Green Tea
Green tea is packed with antioxidants and nutrients that can detox hair as well. Drinking green tea and using it in hair masks or as a treatment can produce positive results.
Use a cooled green tea bag and massage the scalp with it for at least 10 minutes. This helps detox the scalp especially when done up to three times a week.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise increases blood circulation and keeps our blood pressure and minds at ease. Increased blood flow means more nutrients and oxygen reaching the scalp and hair follicles.
Nourish your scalp with 30 minutes of exercise and cardio for at least three times a week. This will will result in stronger locks and thicker, more luscious hair. Don’t forget to wash your hair after a sweaty workout.
Use a Heat Protector
It’s best to allow hair to dry naturally, but sometimes, having to rush means you need to dry or style your hair quickly. Just apply a heat protector first and keep the heat on low.
Professionals formulate heat protectors to protect the hair against heat from dryers. The create a protective barrier on top of the hair shaft, protecting the hair follicles and scalp from exposure to high temperatures.
Condition the Ends
Conditioner softens and moisturizes hair. It should not be applied to the scalp at all. Condition the ends where they tend to split and break instead of your whole head of hair.
Using too much conditioner can lead to oily hair, and that interferes with hair growth since it makes the scalp dirty faster.
Pro tip: Should you want your hair really soft for a special occasion, sleep with the conditioner in. Just don’t do it too often.
Kick the Unhealthy Habits to the Curb
Having unhealthy habits like smoking, eating unhealthy, or excessively drinking alcohol can cause hair loss and even make it worse. Smoking interferes with blood circulation, including blood flow to the scalp.
Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine can affect hair growth since it suppresses the immune system and even sleeping patterns. Kick those unhealthy habits and go for better ones like yoga, tea, exercise, and even sports.
Sufficient Iron Levels
Maintain healthy levels of iron in your body. Iron deficiency is linked to hair loss, so eat foods rich in iron, such as red meat, seafood, beans, spinach, and leafy greens. Iron supplements can also help keep your iron levels in check.
Brush Enough, But Not Too Much
Brushing frequently does promote healthy, silky smooth hair that grows abundantly. Be sure to be soft and gentle when brushing, even when dealing with a stubborn knot.
Make sure that you aren’t over-brushing. That could lead to static hair which causes frizz and breakage.
Exfoliate Your Scalp
Remove dead skin cells and unclog pores by exfoliating your scalp regularly. That cleanses the scalp and creates a clean and healthy environment for hair to grow.
Exfoliating your scalp promotes healthy, thick, and luscious hair. Find the perfect scalp exfoliators at your local hairdresser or even drugstores.
Pump Up Nutrition
If there is insufficient intake of essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, D, and E, zinc, B vitamins, iron, biotin, protein, and essential fatty acids, then that can cause slowed hair growth and even hair loss.
Maintain a well-balanced diet to help treat hair loss and increase hair growth. The body may need supplements if food is not enough.
Keep Hydrated
Much like the body, hair needs to be hydrated to be healthy and strong. Dehydrated hair will not grow. So drink at least six glasses of water a day to promote thick and healthy hair.
Water also eliminates problems like a dry, itchy, and sensitive scalp and dandruff.
Rice Water Rinse
Rice water isn’t scientifically proven to help hair grow but it has a large number of minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates that creates a stable environment to grow healthy hair follicles.
Just rinse your hair with rice water once or twice a week after shampooing and conditioning. Watch your hair become healthier, shinier, and fuller in a month or so.
Use Essential Oils
Incorporating essential oils like lavender, rosemary, and thyme into your scalp massages help double the benefits in increasing blood flow and stimulating growth.
Essential oils are effective treatments for patchy hair loss and an inflamed scalp, and are also a lovely form of aromatherapy.
Avoid Towel Drying
Drying wet hair with a bath towel can damage hair since it is typically heavy. It can cause breakage and loss of strands with all that twisting.
Dry your hair gently with the towel instead. Use a soft cotton or silk shirt or even an old pillowcase to twist it up and help it dry.
Shampoo The Scalp
Cleanse your scalp by massaging with shampoo thoroughly. If you use a specialized shampoo like a keratin or caffeine shampoo, let the shampoo sit in your hair for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
When rinsing, the shampoo runs through the rest of your hair. Too much shampoo can also strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it looking and feeling lifeless and dull.
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