We tend to emphasize the importance of developing good nighttime habits, both for our health and appearance. Get a solid seven hours of sleep and remove all makeup before bed. How many times have we heard how important it is to apply retinol and moisturizer to keep your skin looking its best? These are all great tips, but what you do in the morning is also important.
If you’re getting out of bed and making these most common hair care mistakes, chances are you’re setting yourself up for dry hair that’s more likely to suffer from split ends and breakage. Dr. Elaine F. Kung, a city-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Future Bright Dermatology, outlines the four worst morning habits that are actually very bad for hair loss. For those who are currently suffering from thinning hair and those who want to keep their hair healthy. Break these habits ASAP to get stronger, thicker hair.
apply shampoo to hair
Since shampoos are formulated to remove dirt and oil from the scalp, applying shampoo to your hair can strip oil from your hair and alter the pH of the hair fibers. Shampooing can damage the hair cuticle and break the hair fibers,” Dr. Kung said.
Play it safe by focusing only on the scalp when washing your hair and using a mild shampoo that is free of sulfates and paragon.
Forgetting to use hair conditioner
Shampoo and hair conditioner go together like peanut butter and jelly. Making conditioner a regular part of your hair care routine is an important morning routine. “Hair conditioners are designed to minimize static electricity, improve hair manageability, and temporarily repair split ends,” Dr. Kung said. Hair conditioners replace technically washed-out hair oils with synthetic alternatives such as silicones to give hair smoothness and shine.
warm wet hair
“Heat treatment on wet hair causes more chemical and structural damage to the hair strands than heat treatment on dry hair,” warns Dr. Kung. The cuticle of the foam will be distorted.
Therefore, the following hair grooming practices that you commonly do after washing your hair can cause split ends and breakage.
- Use the hair dryer within 15cm from the hair
- use of curling iron
- use an iron
What’s your best bet? Wrap wet hair in a microfiber towel and let it air dry for 20 minutes. Then apply a heat protectant spray to your strands before using heated tools.
pull one’s hair into a tight hairstyle
Ponytails, buns and braids look amazing. But repeating these styles comes at a price.
“Repeatedly pulling your hair tight over an extended period of time can cause traction alopecia,” Dr. Kung said. People with chemically or heat treated hair are particularly prone to traction alopecia, which is characterized by hair loss along the frontal hairline.
Take a break between tight hairstyles and let your scalp rest.
