While some may argue that curly people want straight hair and vice versa, in reality, we all just want our day to look beautiful, shiny and voluminous. However, it’s easier said than done to maintain those lustrous locks. With changing lifestyle, environment, and of course, our own hair habits it becomes a little difficult to keep intact the glossiness and shine of our beloved mane.
While one can certainly not control the external factors, we can at least attempt to minimize or avoid the haircare mistakes that we are all guilty of doing at one point. Late for the meeting and got to leave the house with wet-tied hair? Constantly putting your mane under the heat of that hair curler? Well, you’ve gotta STOP doing that, any many more things in order to have healthy hair.
Here are some common hair care mistakes to avoid to minimize the damage and achieve those lustrous locks. Because every day can be a good hair day if we decide on it!
SKIPPING OILING AT REGULAR INTERVALS
Apparently, oiling or champi at regular intervals is very beneficial for our hair health. However, some people tend to skip it either due to lack of time or simply because it’s out of fashion and 'uncool.' Ditching the oil could cause your hair to get frizzy and dry and eventually break off. An oil massage once a week strengthens your roots and hydrates your hair and scalp while providing all the necessary nourishments, thus preventing hair fall to a great extent. Let’s admit it, ghar ka nuskha can never go out of style!
EXCESSIVE HOT WATER SHOWERS
Having excessive hot water baths can cause our skin to get dry and itchy and our scalp is no different. Boiling hot showers strip the scalp of the essential oils and nutrients making it weak and frizzy, eventually leading to hair fall. They open up the pores in the scalp making the roots weak. While one shouldn’t completely give up on hot waters, but striking the right temperature when it comes to showers is a real deal-breaker here. Opt for lukewarm water when washing your hair as much as possible.
FREQUENT USE OF OVER-HEATING HAIRSTYLING DEVICES
While those overheated curling, straightening and blow-drying can give you a better hairstyle, they are certainly stripping you of better hair health. Nothing in excess is good for us and also our shiny locks. Excessive styling and over-exposure to heat could damage your hair and cause hair loss. We agree that hair is best styled on damp hair but not dripping wet. Try to dry your hair with a towel before working up a hairstyle. Set your blow dryer’s temperature correctly and do not push it closer to your roots. No, that will not make it dry them faster however you will end up with irreparable damage! Keep switching your styling devices on and off in-between to maintain a lukewarm temperature on your hair. If possible, try not to use them quite frequently!
TYING/ COMBING WET HAIR
Another common mistake we are all guilty of at one point in time. Wet hair is more delicate than dry hair. Combing wet tresses can cause hair roots to get weak leading to hair fall. Also, tying wet hair is never a good practice. Rubber bands tangle our dry mane causing breakages, let alone the wet hair. The type of comb matters here too. One should use the comb with wide teeth to avoid damage (post drying). So, next time, wait until your locks are dry to brush them out nicely and tie them into a bun.
CONDITIONING THE ROOTS
Conditioning is a step that helps in achieving a softer, shinier mane that feels nice to move our fingers in. However, sometimes, we tend to overdo this step and condition our hair all the way up to the roots. A BIG NO! Conditioners are meant to be applied to the tip and mid-lengths of the hair as our scalp already nourishes the roots with natural oils produced on its own. Adding an extra dose of conditioner will only clog your follicles and slow the growth. Not to forget- cause unwanted hair fall!
TOO MUCH SHAMPOO
While shampoos aid in cleaning the accumulated dirt and excess oil from the scalp, one must certainly not overdo this habit daily. Excessive shampooing can strip your scalp of essential oils that are required to maintain your hair health. This will in turn make your locks look over-dry, look frizzy and cause hair fall. Shampooing thrice a week on alternate days can be more than enough it seems.
SKIPPING HAIR TRIMS AT REGULAR INTERVALS
Not trimming your mane at regular intervals is also one of the major reasons for hair fall. One should always have a healthy habit of trimming the tresses around 5-7 weeks. It also helps us get rid of all the split ends and protect our mane in the longer run.
VIGOROUS TOWEL DRYING
Drying hair vigorously with rough towels can probably do more harm than a hairdryer! The roughly textured towels might get the job done but in turn, leave us with weaker roots that eventually cause hair fall. They also rob the tresses of their natural shine leaving them all dry and frizzy. So next time, instead of rubbing your hair roughly, try patting them with a soft towel and squeeze off all the excess water.
SOME OTHER HABITS THAT CAUSES OF HAIR FALL INCLUDE:
INADEQUATE DRINKING OF WATER
AN UNBALANCED DIET
TIGHT HAIRSTYLES
EXCESSIVE HAIR SPRAYS
UNCLEAN COMBS
FREQUENT CHANGING IN HAIR PRODUCTS
(Technical excerpts from Rich Feel and Live Osumly, Image Source- Google Archives)
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