Everybody has bad hair days. But what if your bad hair days happen everyday? You might want to start looking at your hair care routine. You might be using the wrong shampoo, or you might be forgetting to trim those split ends. Keep your hair healthy and lustrous by avoiding these mistakes.
Wrong Shampoo for Your Hair Type
Stop buying shampoo based on price alone. It’s important for you to determine your hair type because you should be matching your shampoo according to it. Shampoos have varying ingredients for different hair types. There are shampoos for normal hair, dry hair, colored hair and so on. Hair care consultant Lorna Casse came up with a helpful list of what shampoo you should be using based on the type of hair you have.
Using Products Loaded with Harsh Chemicals
Harmful chemicals found in shampoos can cause hair problems as well. You may be allergic to some of these substances so it’s good to take note of these.
- Sodium lauryl sulfate and lauryl sulfate — The purpose of sulfates is to create a lathering effect to strip away dirt and oil from your hair. However, chemicals found in sulfates can cause hair damage and skin irritation to some people. Sulfates are found in other cleaning agents like household detergents, car soap and engine degreasers as well.
- Chemical fragrances — Artificial fragrances can be harmful because they are made with chemicals. For example, a lavender-scented shampoo can actually have zero lavender in it. Manufacturers just mix different chemical ingredients to create the smell.
- Parabens — Parabens act as a preserving agent for hair products and cosmetics. However, a 2015 study found parabens can increase the risk of breast cancer for women. The chemical can mimic estrogen and reduce the natural production of this hormone in women.
Using Too Much Shampoo
Using too much shampoo usually results in the formation of dandruff. The amount of shampoo will depend on your hair length, your hair type and the kind of shampoo you’re using. Elaine Mitchell, creative director for New York City’s Sassoon Salon said at first, you can squeeze out shampoo as big as a raspberry. Put shampoo onto your palms. Whip up bubbles by rubbing them together. Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips, spreading the shampoo evenly. If this didn’t create enough bubbles, this is the time you add another dot, and so on.
Washing Hair Too Often
Dermatologist Elizabeth Hughes said you should only wash your hair if it becomes too oily or feels too dirty to touch. She said some people produce enough oil to need to wash their hair daily. But for those who don’t, they can wash their hair every couple of days.
Dr. Hughes added straight and thin hair should be washed more frequently than wavy or curly hair. She also recommended washing the hair after sweaty workouts or activities. Lastly, she said frequent use of styling products means frequent washing of hair as well.
Neglecting to Trim Your Hair
Haircuts get rid of any damaged or split ends. Split ends can hinder your hair growth. They can also cause discoloration because they are usually lighter than the color of your natural hair. No conditioning or spa treatments can restore the glow in your hair; only trimming those split ends will work. You can do this without going to the salon by getting a pair of thinning shears yourself.
Your hair is your crowning glory. Since hair care is part of your everyday routine, this gets easily overlooked. Mistakes like these can affect your hair in the long run, so it’s good to take note of these and give your hair the care it deserves now.