10 Hair mistakes you need to stop now!
Your hair is an object of beauty, pride, and confidence. It is also an indication of internal health and well-being. With increasing levels of pollution and the hectic rush of city life, finding the time to maintain your hair can prove to be a task indeed. Before you resort to any expensive hair treatment remedies, do check out these hair mistakes to avoid and make sure you tick each one off your list.
- Forgetting to brush before the shampoo
Using the right hair treatment methods can save the day. Never hop into the shower with tangles in your hair. The water will make the knots tighter and leave you struggling to comb your hair later. If you have some tough knots, massage warm oil along the length of your hair before you shampoo. The oil will condition your hair naturally and loosen the knots.
- Shampooing your hair daily
Shampooing daily strips your scalp off its natural oils and leaves you with a brittle and dry scalp. Washing hair daily is often a mistake made by men who hit the gym, and is known aleading cause of hair loss. Moreover, when you shampoo, you end up using a lot of hair styling products to set your hair and these chemicals can lead to many other scalp conditions including split ends and dandruff.
- Combing wet hair
Combing wet hair once or twice may be alright, but combing it regularly is ill-advised. Wet hair is delicate and prone to breakage. Wait until your hair is at least semi-dry before running your comb through it. Use a wide-toothed comb and slowly work out the knots from root to tip. If you are in a hurry and simply must comb your wet hair, then tackle only the tips and leave the roots alone.
- Using hot irons on wet hair
Using heat based hair treatment tools on wet hair is an absolute no-no. Hot hair tongs will burn your exposed hair cuticles and cause hair breakage and split ends. Moreover, when you do use an iron, make sure you apply a good quality heat protective serum along the length of your hair. Skipping the heat protection can prove to be a cause of hair losseventually.
- Sleeping with wet hair
Just as you shouldn’t comb your hair or use an iron on it while its wet, you shouldn’t sleep with damp hair. Sleeping with wet hair cause friction and leads to hair breakage. You will probably wake up with some strands of hair on your pillow; a situation that would have been easily avoidable. Moreover, just after a wash, the hair cuticle is tender and exposed. Sleeping with set hair will increase the frizz when you wake up.
- Applying hair products at the roots
Hair treatment products are effective only if they are used correctly. Styling products, such as creams and serums, should be applied only along the length of your hair. Never apply leave-in products on your roots. This will make your hair oily and heavy. Not to mention, the chemicals in the products will probably give you an irritating scalp itch.
- Forgetting to cover up
When outdoors, always protect your hair from the harsh UV rays. If you go jogging or running wear a cap. Even for men who are bald, covering the scalp is of utmost importance. Likewise, if you plan to go swimming buy a good swim cap to protect your hair from the chlorine and salt in the water. Your hair is very much like your skin; it absorbs moisture around it. You must protect it from absorbing harmful chemicals and dirt by covering up.
- Ignoring scalp conditions
A scalp or hair problem is often the body’s way of telling us something is not right. Never ignore dandruff, scalp rashes, or excessive hair fall. Rarely do these conditions go way on their own. A hair and scalp problem often indicates an underlying health issue that needs addressing, such as hormonal imbalance, an autoimmune disorder, stress, or nutritional deficiency.
- Tying your hair too tight
Skip tight ponytails in favour of loosely tied plaits or messy buns. Hairstyles that put a lot of stress on your hair can prove to be a major cause of hair loss in women. Not to mention, tying your hair too tightly can lead to a headache.
- Not eating right
Over the course of time, bad dietary habits can become a cause of hair loss for you. No product can supplement the role played by the right nutrition. Your hair needs a diet rich in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins A and C. Foods that you should eat include green leafy vegetables, lentils, eggs, fatty fish, lean meat, oatmeal, wholegrains, almonds, walnuts, sweet potato, and citrus fruits. Limit your consumption of sodas, sugary snacks, alcohol, and starch filled fast foods like burgers and fries. Stay hydrated with water, fresh fruit juice and coconut water.
