Hair is really very strong and does
not pull out easily but it is possible with poor grooming to create a
more unstable situation where hair thinning and breakage can be evident.
Although it is true that hair de-tangles much better if combed when wet
try avoiding the use of fine tooth combs on wet hair as this is a common
cause of hair splitting and breakage. Brushing wet hair can also cause
weakening too if carried out too forcefully. The additional pressures on
the shafts of hair when wet can cause problems. It is best to brush
your hair before washing as this can stimulate the scalp and encourage
blood flow to the follicles maintaining good health and healthy growth.
Brushing will also remove dead flaking skin cells and make thorough
cleansing of the scalp that much easier when shampooing.
Be aware that frequent shampooing is also likely to damage your hair.
Whilst we all like to have clean shiny hair, you can have too much of a
good thing and shampooing your hair too frequently can deprive it of
certain minerals such as calcium, iron and phosphorus. If you must
shampoo frequently then it is probably better to choose a shampoo
containing only natural products. Look for a product containing keratin,
this is a colorless natural protein which makes this outermost layer of
the skin almost waterproof, and along with collagen and elastin, gives
skin its strength it is also present in the cuticle cells at the base of
the follicle. The cuticle cells form protective sheaths around the hair
keeping it in good condition but they can be damaged by excessive
washing, shampooing and artificial drying, restoring the keratin element
can restore dry looking, brittle hair.
A lot of the shampoos you buy use alkaline ingredients to soften hair
and increase hair volume by swelling the hair shafts. Conditioners also
contain such ingredients to affect similar changes but try to find one
with a well balanced acid/alkali ingredient a pH level of 5.5 is about
right. Other natural ingredients to look for are aloe vera, sage,
nettle, burdock and chamomile.
Using perms and hair colors? Then you should be careful as some of the
chemicals found in the ingredients can cause damage to the hair shafts
and follicles and can be the cause of some hair loss. Leave your hair
untreated as much as is possible and you should never use a mix of
chemical processes on your hair if you want to keep your hair as well as
wanting to keeping it looking good for as long as possible.
Styling can cause problems too, pulling your hair too tight when using
braids or even ponytails can cause your hair to be stressed and may even
lead to thinning in the affected areas.
What to do for the best? A natural approach really if at all possible as
leaving your hair in a loose style without over manipulation will lead
to the best possible effect.