You’ve been washing your hair for years now, so you should be an expert by now, right? How hard can it really be anyways? Many expert hairstylists say that most people have been washing their hair incorrectly for most of their lives. While this may surprise most people, it is true! These mistakes can pay a heavy toll on your hair, resulting in hair loss, breakage, thinning, and a dull appearance. For many people, their hair is the crowning glory of a person’s appearance, so taking proper care of your hair is vital for its overall health and ability to grow longer and more robust.
It’s time to take a look at your hair washing habits to determine what you may be doing wrong. A few simple changes such as not using scorching hot water when you wash, washing your hair every day, and taking probiotics for hair growth can transform your locks into something that even Rapunzel would envy.
Not Taking Probiotics for Hair Growth
Many people believe that probiotics are good for one thing, and that’s for stomach health. But based on what strains and nutrients your probiotic contains, they can do so much more than protect your gut. Probiotics for hair growth work from within your body to stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss, but they also work on strengthening the gut-scalp relationship. This provides a healthy canvas for healthy new hair to grow from. Probiotics for hair growth are also essential for growing longer, thicker, and shinier hair. Who doesn’t want that? With just one pill a day, you’ll see the significant effects that come from probiotics for hair growth.
Turn Down the Water Temperature
Hot water can be extremely damaging to hair. Using water that is too hot can cause a condition called hydral fatigue. Hydral fatigue is damage that occurs to the hair follicle caused by repeated swelling and unswelling. The hot water penetrates the outer layer of the hair strands and reaches the inner cortex, causing swelling. Over time, the hair will become frizzy, brittle, and dull. Instead, use warm water when washing your hair. The warm water allows the pores on the head and the cuticles of the hair to open up. This can provide a deeper clean when washing, removing any dirt, residue, or product that may be built up on the scalp or in the pores.
Washing Your Hair Every Day
Studies show that a surprising 49 percent of women wash and dry their hair every single day. While some people wash their hair every day because it begins to look oily, what they don’t know is that they are actually washing away the good oils your hair produces. For the average person, washing your hair every other day or every two to three days is best. When hair is washed too frequently, the good oils are constantly being stripped away. These oils are actually what keep the hair and scalp moisturized. Frequent washing can cause a dry, tight, itchy scalp and makes the strands of hair more susceptible to thinning and breaking.
Shampoos With Sulfate
Sulfates come from a type of chemical that is known for reducing dirt, oil, and product buildup. When it was initially introduced in the 30s, it was a well-known ingredient that was used in many beauty products. In the 90s, the news that sulfates can be harmful and damaging came out – and not only to hair. Using products with sulfates has been known to cause adverse side effects over time. Side effects can include irritation to the skin and eyes, especially in those individuals with sensitive skin. Sulfates can also cause dryness, redness, and acne based on the amount of product and frequency of use. They also have a negative effect on the environment and are tied to climate change. The chemical gasses from products wash down the drain and eventually end up in the ocean with the sea life.
When it comes to hair care, sulfates can be used for good. At the same time, they can do too good of a job stripping the hair of its natural oils. This can leave hair feeling dry, brittle, frizzy, and itchy. They can also irritate the scalp, and the more you use shampoos with sulfates, the more split ends and breakage you will have. This can be exacerbated in people who have dry, curly, or color-treated hair. Sulfate-free shampoos, on the other hand, offer a much milder, gentler clean. They also don’t lather up like typical shampoos with sulfates but still do an excellent job of cleansing hair without stripping away the delicate oils that can make the scalp a healthier surface.
While some of these tips may surprise you, they are tips that could genuinely transform the overall health of hair. Considering that 68 percent of people are unhappy with their current hair, it is surprising that more people are not looking to get to the “root” of their hair issues. Adding in sulfate-free shampoos, extending the number of days between hair washing, using a cooler water temperature to wash hair, and adding probiotics for hair growth can improve your hair game exponentially! It’s worth giving it a try because what do you have to lose?