The first thing that people notice about us is our appearance and our hair plays a major role in presenting ourselves and making a good impression. But that is not the only reason why we should start taking care of our crowning glory. Health is not just about being fit or eating healthy. Being truly healthy can start with our hair. And to have healthy hair, one must first acknowledge the common habits that bring harm to our hair.
1. Over-Shampooing and Over-Washing
Yes, we need to brush our teeth twice daily, but this shouldn’t be the case for our hair! As much as it makes you feel so much better after stepping out of the shower, washing your hair every day does more damage than good—and you might regret it later. Contrary to popular belief, shampooing more often does not prevent our hair from becoming greasy; it actually makes it more oily.
Too much shampooing can rid your locks of their natural oils from the scalp. If the scalp becomes too dry, the more that your scalp will perceive that it needs to produce more oil, the more that oil accumulates. The more that you think you need to shampoo and shower, the more you rid your hair of its natural ability to be shiny and healthy.
Although, hair experts recommend that you check your hair type so you can give it a more personalized treatment and regimen. Considering the climate in which one lives and the lifestyle one has is also beneficial in choosing when to wash your hair.
There is no fixed rule on how often you should wash your hair and it is something that is always being debated. Also, applying shampoo once every shower is enough, and repeating is not necessary. For what it’s worth, it would be best to remember the adage, “Too much of anything is bad.”
2. Not Rinsing Well Before and After Shampooing
Many times we tend to be in a hurry to get out of the shower, especially when we just had a long day. We couldn’t wait to hit the sack, so we wash our hair as quickly as possible. But whenever we are not able to rinse well with water, shampoo cannot work at its best. Shampoo lathers better in wet hair. It is also advisable that you mix it with water first rather than applying it directly to your scalp. This way, not only will you not have to use a large amount of shampoo, but it will also allow you to spread it evenly throughout your scalp.
The length of time rinsing after shampooing might be different for all hair types. The important thing is that you take time in rinsing until all the shampoo residue has been washed off. Not rinsing enough will cause product build-up and make your scalp dry and itchy.
3. Not Setting The Right Water Temperature
We normally adjust the water temperature depending on the weather. Besides, who wants a cold shower in winter? And who doesn’t like soaking in warm water after a long day? However, when it comes to taking care of our tresses, we must know when to use cold and when to use warm. Just like how warm dilates our blood vessels and cold constricts, the same goes for our hair cuticle. So for better absorption of nutrients from shampoo, use warm water (not scorching hot) to open the hair cuticles. Warm water is also more effective for removing grime and grease. When rinsing though, it is better to use cold water to close the cuticles again to avoid oil and dirt from getting inside.
4. Not Using Conditioner The Right Way
Applying conditioner on the scalp could be the most common mistake almost everyone commits. Our scalps are already in charge of producing natural oils. Hence, conditioning can make it oilier than normal. It is the hair strands, especially towards the ends, that need more hydration and moisturizing. Again, rinse the conditioner with cold water and make sure to rinse well. Unwashed conditioner can only make hair more vulnerable to catching dirt.
5. Brushing Your Hair When It’s Wet
If you’ve ever tried brushing or combing your hair as soon as after you shower, you would know how fragile it is and how prone to breakage. Waiting a little longer until it’s almost dry before you brush can also prevent unwanted hair loss.
6. Not Using The Right Kind of Scissors When Cutting Your Hair
There is a good reason why your favorite hairstylist does not use the same kind of scissors that you use for your art projects. Just like how a kitchen has different kinds of knives, so are there when it comes to scissors. So when you decide to trim your bangs or to DIY your haircut, make sure you are using something designed for cutting hair.
Otherwise, you will leave your hair with split ends and you might not like how your haircut turns out. Hair scissors are normally called shears and they look slimmer and finer than your common scissors. So, for best results, make sure you choose the finest hair-cutting shears or scissors out there.
7. Too Much Sun Exposure and Extreme Blow Drying
Again, anything too much is bad. Exposing too much heat to our tresses can cause dryness, brittleness, and breakage. So refrain from always blow-drying, or at least keep it to a minimum setting. Wear a hat or use an umbrella if the sun is scorching.
There are many other ways to take care of your locks such as knowing what shampoo brand is best for your hair type, or using other hair products such as dry shampoo or leave on. The most important thing though is to be aware of the basics and habits that we never thought do more damage than good, because they have gotten so familiar. The good news is, it’s never too late to change and replace old bad habits.
The hair is called the crowning glory for a reason. You would take care of your crown not only because it is seen by everybody, but because you know its value. The way we value and take care of our hair reflects how we value and take care of ourselves. After all, don’t we feel a whole lot better about everything whenever we have a good hair day? So say goodbye to these hair-raising habits, and say hello to healthy hair.
