Heal your relationship with your hair with these easy steps

Relationships are complicated. Situationships? Way worse! It does not matter if you are giving your 100% in efforts, if the other side is not joining, it will simply not work. And it is even worse when you are immersed in a tangled situation with your hair. The reason behind this is probably the poor relationship between you and your head. In this article, we explore some easy and not so well-known tips to strengthen your hair and most importantly to prevent hair loss.

Tip #1: Trim your hair regularly.

There is nothing more rewarding than treating yourself for a whole day. In doing so, you should never forget to give a trim to your hair to finish off well. Cutting your hair just a quarter of an inch, or regular trims every eight weeks will help get rid of hair that is stunting the growth. Even after a good cut, your hair will curl in a lively way and will encourage the growing and stop the falling.

Tip #2: Wash your hair frequently.

Feeling too lazy to take a shower? After reading this, you will want to shower more than ever. It really depends which type of hair you have but generally, washing your hair on a regular basis is very important for your hair and scalp. Essentially, taking showers regularly helps prevent the buildup of dirt and dandruff that hinder your hair follicles from growing, which may lead to hair thinning.

Actually, an average person should wash their hair every 2 to 3 days. However, for those with oily hair, showering should be done at least once every 1 or 2 days. It is important to always remember that your hair-washing frequency should be based on your hair type and length. There might be a chance of stripping your hair of the natural sebum it produces. Especially when aging, the scalp produces less oil, so it might not have to shampoo as often. This way, you will prevent hair loss.

Tip #3: Avoid hot showers.

Following this line of cleaningness, taking hot showers is also another bad habit that a lot of people tend to do as part of their routine. Shockingly, water temperature can make or even break your hair. Just like heat from a blow dryer or flat iron, hot water can have detrimental effects on your hair, since the temperature expands the cuticle layer in the hair when it is wet, causing the cuticle to lift temporarily. Usually, the hair expands in contact with hot water, causing it to be more prone to breakage and frizziness. Moreover, William Gaunitz, a certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology said hot water can also damage your scalp, making it dry, and affecting your hair follicles.

Tip #4: Have a healthy diet.

A good diet is always key to success with your body. If your tummy feels happy, so do you and your hair. When we frequently have bad eating habits, skip meals, or use crash diets as a way to lose weight, we deprive our bodies of the nutrients that are necessary for healthy hair growth. Consequently, your body will prioritize vital organs and essential functions over growing hair. The solution is easy! Either, consuming a protein-rich, balanced diet that meets your caloric needs, or a diet rich in leafy greens, protein, and vitamins such as magnesium, beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B5, and vitamin D are essential to keep your hair healthy and strong enough.

Tip #5: Protect your hair when using heat.

Styling your hair is probably an essential part of your daily routine. Curling, straightening or combing it with heat is always fun and easy to do. However, when using hot tools, you should be aware of the heat protection. If you miss the heat protector, your hair can break strands and start falling out more often. Additionally, the excessive heat deprives hair of moisture and leaves strands brittle and dry. This does not mean these tools cannot be used if you want healthy hair. Instead, it is highly recommended to lower the heat settings, avoid using these tools too close to the scalp, and use straighteners or curling irons sparingly.

Furthermore, a few advice to keep preventing damage by heat involve: letting your hair air dry when possible, limiting the time a hot comb or curling iron touches your hair, and use these tools less frequently, aiming for once a week — or even less often.

Tip #6: Dry correctly your wet hair.

Although brushing your hair when it is wet makes it easier to detangle, it can cause more damage to your strands since wet hair is fragile. This bad habit has a solution! By switching from a brush to a wide-toothed comb and being gentle throughout the brushing process, your hair will avoid hair loss. It is also advisable to dry your hair slightly beforehand so that it is less vulnerable yet damp enough to comb through easily.

Sources:

Konior, Raymond. (2019). Seven Habits That Can Cause Hair Loss. Chicago Hair Institute.https://www.chicagohairinstitute.com/blog/2019/03/04/seven-habits-that-can-cause-196919

The Clifford Clinic. (2023). 5 Poor Hair Care Habits That Can Lead To Thinning Hair. https://cliffordclinic.com/5-poor-haircare-habits-that-can-lead-to-thinning-hair/

Mankani, Sneha. (2022). Are these daily habits the cause of hair fall? Vogue India.https://www.vogue.in/beauty/content/daily-habits-that-may-cause-hair-fall-hair-care-shampoo-haircut-diet