Caring for our hair is a deceptively simple task. Our daily routine mainly involves using a shampoo and conditioner, but certain hair mistakes can develop along the way. Case in point: putting conditioner directly on your roots, combing your hair when it’s wet, scratching your scalp with your nails… the list goes on.
What you might not be aware of is that these habits can cause damage to the hair and scalp over time. They could potentially lead to clumps of hair fall as well as an ageing scalp. But before you start panicking, it’s not too late to nip those habits in the bud.
To help you out, we consulted one of TK TrichoKare’s trichologists to right our wrongs. For those who aren’t familiar with the term, “trichology” refers to the scientific study of scalp and hair health. Derived from the Greek word “thrikos”, “trichos” translates to “hair”.
Hence, a trichologist is a hair and scalp specialist trained in life sciences who studies hair and scalp problems in a holistic manner.
Here are seven common hair mistakes you might be making – and what’s even more important: how to correct them.
Shampooing Your Hair Under Hot Water
A hot shower is one of life’s simple pleasures. It’s especially gratifying if you’re sore from a tough workout. As fantastic as it feels in the moment, however, hot water could do more harm than good for your hair’s health.
It can cause redness and irritation on your scalp and dry your hair out in the process, making it more brittle and prone to breakage. The lack of moisture also makes your hair frizzier – something you don’t want in a climate as finicky as Singapore’s.
Instead, use lukewarm water to shampoo your hair. It’ll do a good job at loosening any dirt and buildup, and it won’t damage your hair and scalp. Once you’re done shampooing, rinse it off with cool water. It’ll seal your hair cuticles and lock in moisture for silkier, glossier hair.
Applying Conditioner to Your Scalp
If you’ve been applying hair conditioner to the roots of your hair from the moment you discovered the product, it’s time to put a grinding halt to that. Our scalps naturally produce sebum so the oils are more concentrated there. Since conditioners are often packed with silicones and moisturising ingredients, applying them to your scalp could clog your hair follicles and inhibit hair growth.
What you should do is apply conditioner to your hair starting from the mid-section to the tips. The lower half of your hair tends to be drier, which is why conditioner will help to nourish and replenish moisture to those strands.
Scratching Your Scalp With Your Nails When You Shampoo
When your scalp is feeling greasy and itchy, scrubbing away at it with your nails while you shampoo may sound like a good way to “detox” your scalp. Well, we’ve got bad news for you. While it brings some relief to the itch, it actually damages your scalp too.
Depending on how sharp your nails are, they can cause inflammation and flaking, and in some cases, wounds and scabs too. Instead, try using your soft fingertips to massage your scalp when you shampoo. It’s a much gentler approach that’s less likely to hurt your scalp.
Brushing Your Hair When It’s Wet
If your hair gets easily tangled after a wash, your first instinct is probably to reach for a brush or comb. However, your tresses are much weaker when they’re damp, and dragging a brush through the lengths of your hair can cause your strands to snap.
What you can do is brush your hair before you jump into the shower. That way, you’ll minimise the tangles in your hair post-wash. Or, you could invest in a detangling brush or comb and use it preferably on dry hair.
Shampooing Your Hair Only Once
In a country as humid as Singapore, oil and sweat can accumulate on our scalp quickly. Add the buildup of styling products on top, and we’re left with a ton of gunk on our heads. When you shampoo your hair only once in the shower, there may be traces of dirt and product buildup lodged in your scalp. This is why an extra wash is required to ensure that your hair is completely clean.
Follow up with a second wash and gently massage your scalp with your fingertips to give it a thorough cleanse. When you invest a little more time in lathering, you’ll be able to get rid of as much grime as possible too. So take your time and treat yourself to a pampering scalp massage. It’ll increase blood flow to the scalp and bring more nutrients up to your hair follicles.
Going to Bed With Your Hair Wet
Going to sleep with wet hair can be bad for you, but it’s not the same as what your mum warned you about. When you rest damp hair on your pillow at night, you’re allowing bacteria and fungus to grow on your scalp, which could lead to a fungal infection.
Not to mention, your writhing at night can cause plenty of friction between your hair and pillow too. And since your hair is at its most vulnerable state when wet, it’s much more prone to breakage. To minimise potential damage, it’s best to shampoo your hair as soon as you get home from work. Otherwise, use the cool setting on your hairdryer to speed up the drying process.
Switching Up Your Hair Colour Too Often
We know you can’t help but experiment with all the pretty shades in the colour spectrum – we can’t either. For the sake of your scalp and hair, however, you may want to cut back on your hair colouring sessions.
Repeated bleaching and colouring can permanently raise your hair cuticles, which allows rapid and continuous loss of moisture from your strands. Bleaching agents will leave your hair dry, brittle, and frizzy too. It makes each strand more porous, and therefore more vulnerable to external aggressors, from heat styling to harsh UV rays.
To prevent such damage, give your tresses a break and hold off on your next hair colouring appointment. Use this time to top up on moisturising masks and nourishing conditioners. Your hair could use some TLC.
The First Step to Preventing Hair Loss
It’s never too late to switch up your habits and rectify your hair mistakes for healthier, more lustrous tresses. Even if you don’t have any existing issues with your hair, you can prevent premature hair loss by going for regular hair and scalp treatments.
One of the most popular, must-try treatments around is TK TrichoKare’s award-winning Advanced Scalp Detox & Care Treatment. It won “Best Treatment For Scalp” in Daily Vanity’s Spa & Hair Awards, as voted by our readers!
The treatment is an ideal first step to repairing your hair and making sure it’s in tip-top condition. It strengthens your scalp and strands to prevent hair fall too, so you can flaunt your crowning glory in no time.
TK TrichoKare Advanced Scalp Detox & Care Treatment
Before the TK TrichoKare Advanced Scalp Detox & Care Treatment begins, a certified trichologist or consultant will conduct a thorough hair and scalp analysis to get to the root of the problem. Your trichologist or consultant will also consider your lifestyle and daily habits before recommending a suitable treatment.
Each product used in TK TrichoKare’s treatments is formulated by expert herbalists, which is why their customised European herbal hair remedies have been a standout for years. The treatments provided are validated by certified trichologists too, so you know your hair will be left in good hands.
Designed to remove dead skin and clear out congested pores, the treatment boosts blood circulation and hydration while providing essential nutrients to the hair and scalp. What’s unique about this particular scalp treatment is its three-step process called TriOxy, which clears impurities and improves hair growth.
The Advanced Scalp Detox & Care Treatment treatment will begin with an OxyPeel that contains glycolic (AHA) and salicylic acid (BHA) to exfoliate and unclog your hair follicles. Next, a needleless jet infusion, OxyJet, will infuse your hair and scalp with nutrients to speed up cell metabolism and improve blood circulation. Finally, OxyNutrient will feed your hair with additional nutrients and hydration while encouraging collagen and melanin production to prevent premature greying and hair loss.
Prevent and Solve Your Hair Concerns at TK TrichoKare
Just because you’ve yet to experience hair loss or damage, doesn’t mean you should hold off on a hair treatment. Symptoms of severe damage usually appear in later stages, which is why it’s best to make a trip down to a trichological centre for regular treatments.
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This article is brought to you by TK TrichoKare.
