Four common mistakes behind severe hair damage

July 25, 2023 | 04:09 pm PT
Dr. Tran Hanh Vy, the Department of Dermatology at HCMC University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, says washing hair is often treated lightly despite being part of many’s daily routine.

Below are four of the most common mistakes people may make treating their hair, which can result in scalp damage, hair breakage or hair dehydration.

Washing hair too often or too rarely

Washing hair frequently is an effective way to keep your scalp clean. It is advised to wash your hair two to three times a week, which is suitable for most hair conditions and most scalp types as it helps the hair and the scalp always clean.

Meanwhile, washing hair too frequently or too rarely causes negative effects on the development of hair, since either of them leads to hair dehydration and hair breakage. Your hair will lose its shine and suffer from dandruff, while your scalp will be damaged.

Going out with wet hair is not recommended, as dust may stick on hair easily. Do not go to sleep with wet hair, as this causes hair falls, dandruffs and is beneficial for mycotoxins.

Do not go to sleep with wet hair, as this causes hair falls, dandruffs and is beneficial for mycotoxins. Illustration photo by Pexels

Do not go to sleep with wet hair, as this causes hair falls, dandruffs and is beneficial for mycotoxins. Illustration photo by Pexels

Using the wrong shampoo

Different types of shampoo bring different benefits to the hair. Shampoos for frizzy hair may be not suitable for straight hair. Knowing which type of shampoo suits you is beneficial for not only your scalp, but also your hair condition.

Scratching hair with nails or rubbing hair with towels

Our scalp is extremely thin, so scratching it may damage its protection layer and thus make it even thinner. As a result, your scalp may lose the ability to hold your hair, which leads to hair loss and dandruff.

Instead of using nails, it is recommended to use your fingertips or whole hands to massage your hair when washing.

Similarly, rubbing your hair with a dry towel can also cause damage to your hair. It is advised to use towels to gently absorb water from your hair only, in order to maintain the hair’s moisture and protection layer.

Washing hair without detangling in advance and using too hot water

One of the most common mistakes is not combing hair prior to washing. Even when you have thick beautiful hair, it is necessary to detangle before washing. You should use a comb with wide teeth or a detangler to reduce the amount of hair fall.

Washing hair with hot water is another common mistake. Happy Curls points out in one of its research papers that you should change the water temperature while washing your hair: use warm water first, then switch to cool water.

Warm water opens up the cuticles on the scalp, which helps remove dust and oil on your hair easily and thoroughly. While cool water helps close those cuticles and make the scalp less vulnerable once you finish your hair washing routine.

 
 
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