Shampoo selection guide

The most important factor in hair hygiene is the cleanliness of the hair and scalp. When hair starts to get dirty, it should be washed and cleaned. Polluted air and dust, wearing hats in winter, mental stress, lack of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, drugs, and even smoking can cause your hair to become unhealthy. Naturally, the scalp and hair are kept soft by sebum secreted from the sebaceous glands. This oily secretion protects the hair and skin from water loss and gives it a shiny appearance. Dust, soot, keratin particles (dandruff), and other pollutants stick to this oily layer, causing contamination of the scalp and hair. Shampoos are one type of cleanser used to remove these impurities from the scalp and hair. Using inappropriate shampoos and not employing the correct method of shampooing can cause dullness and damage to the hair. If you find the right shampoo for your hair and learn the correct method of shampooing and drying your hair, you can safely wash your hair every day or several times a day.
There is a significant difference between various shampoos in terms of the quality of the raw materials used, the formulation applied, adherence to hygiene principles in the production line, the type of manufacturing and packaging equipment, and the manufacturer’s diligence in quality control of the final product. Additionally, the storage conditions of the product until it reaches the consumer are important factors affecting the final quality of the shampoo. Since hair types and shampoos vary, the best way is to try different shampoos and ultimately choose the most suitable one. The label on shampoos introduces the ingredients contained in them. What is important is that if your hair is damaged by various substances such as bleach or perm or for any other reason, it is better to pay attention to the acidity of the shampoo. The acidity of shampoos ranges from moderately alkaline to mildly acidic. If your hair is damaged, neutral shampoos or shampoos with mild acidity, which cause less swelling and disruption of the outer cuticle layer of the hair, are more suitable.
When people change their shampoo, they usually pay excessive attention to the condition of their hair and scalp. If there is an improvement in the condition of their hair, they attribute it to the new product, and conversely, if the condition of their hair worsens, they blame the new product. For example, they may attribute their natural hair loss to the new shampoo. Research has shown that few people are aware of the role of factors such as combing, brushing, the harmful effects of chemicals, or even medications, diet, illness, or hereditary characteristics in hair loss. The truth is that shampoos do not cause hair loss.
All those who use vitamin or strengthening shampoos welcome the presence of panthenol (B5) in the shampoo. This vitamin is widely used as a conditioner and softener in shampoos, hair sprays, and hair conditioners. In products designed for hair care, panthenol increases the water content of the hair shaft and consequently its elasticity. Panthenol can penetrate the hair shaft from areas lacking cuticle and increase the manageability, shine, and softness of the hair while reducing its static electricity. Despite all these positive properties, panthenol does not permanently increase hair thickness. In fact, due to the water absorption by this vitamin, the hair appears slightly thicker, which, of course, disappears after a while.
Do not underestimate the presence of herbal extracts in shampoos. Many plants have been used for the treatment, strengthening, and repair of hair from ancient times to the present day. Among these plants with high therapeutic value are ginseng, garlic, mint, pepper, and others.

Is Frequent Hair Washing Harmful?

Fact or Myth

In reality, there is no specific timing for washing hair; it depends on the type of hair, how it is styled in one’s lifestyle (e.g., exercising, local weather conditions).

It is very important to keep your hair clean and protect it from damage.

Therefore, using a suitable shampoo that can provide the necessary nutrients to maintain hair health is essential, regardless of the interval between washes. For example, if you have colored hair, you should use a mild shampoo that contains a conditioner. Generally, daily and consistent use of shampoos that not only clean but also moisturize and nourish the hair is beneficial.

How does diet affect my hair?

Eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures. The benefits of a healthy diet include weight control and cholesterol levels, but it also significantly impacts the health and appearance of your hair. Strict diets can cause hair to appear weak and brittle, increase hair loss, and negatively affect the hair regrowth cycle.

Conclusion: If you want healthy and beautiful hair, maintain a healthy diet, avoid very strict diets, and consume a significant amount of protein.

Does brushing hair cause faster hair loss?

Brushing causes hairs that are ready to fall out to shed more quickly, but it does not affect the conditions that cause hair to be weak and prone to falling out. However, it is better to avoid brushing your hair when it is wet. If you have curly or wavy hair, first brush the lower part of your hair and then brush the entire strand from top to bottom.

Oily Skin and Its Care

people with oily skin usually have large pores on their faces. They always feel an oily and shiny layer on their skin, which is unpleasant for them, and they constantly try to eliminate this issue.

To care for oily skin, we should aim to reduce the skin’s oil production and keep the pores clean to prevent blackheads. People with oily skin often try to get rid of their skin’s oil by using harsh and abrasive cleansers and scrubbing their faces excessively, but this worsens the condition. Instead, it is recommended to use foaming cleansers (but without soap).

Dermatologists believe that washing the face every morning and night is one of the most effective methods to control the amount of skin oil. They also recommend always using gentle cleansers (face washes) for cleaning the face because soaps with strong cleansing properties stimulate the skin to produce more oil.

Another benefit of using these cleansers, especially when washing with a soft washcloth, is that they help remove dead skin cells from the surface. The accumulation of dead skin cells can lead to clogged pores and the formation of blackheads.

Individuals with oily and combination skin, and those prone to acne, should use cleansers containing salicylic acid to eliminate skin bacteria and prevent clogged pores. Among cleansers, products with salicylic acid or other acidic compounds are most effective in addressing oily skin.

Should moisturizers be used for oily skin?
Many people with oily skin think they do not need to moisturize their skin, but this is not correct. Any skin type, even oily skin, can become dehydrated, and using high-quality moisturizers can alleviate this dehydration, making the skin appear healthier and more vibrant. Contrary to popular belief, oily skin also needs moisturizers. However, since oil itself softens the skin, people usually do not feel the need to use moisturizers.

It is important to note that using moisturizers containing oil for oily skin not only gives them a matte and dull appearance but also clogs pores, leading to acne. Therefore, it is better for oily skin to use moisturizers with minimal oil content that provide high moisture and are lightweight.

How to Keep Your Skin Moisturized?

Aging is accompanied by physiological processes that cause the skin to lose its ability to retain moisture. Additionally, there are diseases in which the skin cannot retain body water at normal levels, leading to significant water loss through the skin. For example, this occurs in atopic dermatitis and some other skin disorders caused by nutritional deficiencies.

The freshness and vitality of the skin are mainly due to its moisture. If the skin’s moisture decreases due to dryness and environmental heat or reduced blood flow due to cold or aging, the skin becomes wrinkled and loses its freshness. One of the times to be careful about skin dryness is when leaving the bath. Other times include the warm seasons, after washing the face, and during old age. Those with dry skin need to be more cautious than others.

It is important to know that to maintain skin moisture, it is not necessary to wash your face frequently. On the contrary, this can remove the protective oily layer of the skin and cause roughness. To keep the skin moisturized, you should use moisturizers. The moisturizing creams available in pharmacies are very suitable for this purpose. The method of using moisturizers is to apply the cream in dots on various areas of the skin, such as the forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin, after washing and drying the face after a bath. Then, spread it over the entire face and neck with gentle fingertip taps. It is best to apply the moisturizer every morning after washing your face with water and soap, wait a few minutes for it to absorb, and then proceed with makeup if desired. Moisturizing the skin once at the beginning of the day is sufficient, but if you take a bath, do it again after leaving the bath. If you are in a hot and dry climate or have dry skin, it is better to moisturize your skin twice a day. The water content of living skin (dermis and epidermis) is approximately 80%. The outer layer of the skin, the keratin layer, is made up of dead skin cells with a lower water content of about 10 to 30%.

Water gives the keratinocyte layer some softness and elasticity. When the skin’s water content is normal, the skin appears smooth, soft, elastic, and radiant. The skin becomes slightly swollen, making the surface of the skin somewhat smooth and fine wrinkles disappear. In normal skin, there is a continuous movement of water from the deeper layers to the surface layers of the skin. Eventually, water evaporates from the surface.

What causes dry skin? Dry skin is relatively common: most people experience some degree of dry skin from time to time. Dry skin may be due to external causes or changes in the skin’s ability to retain moisture.

External causes: The main external causes include exposure to dry weather and wind. Note that artificial heating inside buildings lowers relative humidity.
Therefore, the skin becomes drier in winter. Staying for long periods in a room with dry, cold air from an air conditioner also causes dry skin.

Other external factors affecting dry skin include: Washing: Frequent washing removes the protective oily layer of the skin. Some soaps also have a drying effect.
Exposure to certain substances: Many occupations expose individuals to substances that remove the natural oily layer from the skin, such as jobs requiring frequent contact with disinfectants or chemical solvents. Similarly, some medical treatments (such as acne treatments) also cause dry skin.

The importance of skin moisture: Dehydrated skin appears dry, cracked, and rough; a thin layer of flakes is present on the surface; fine skin lines become more apparent, and the individual feels dryness in the skin, which may be accompanied by itching.

Dry skin is more prone to skin infections, whether bacterial or fungal. The common dermatological term for very dry skin is xerosis.

Preventing damage caused by dry skin: The thin oily layer on the skin’s surface can protect the skin from exposure to environmental factors such as soot particles, pollution, and dust.

Temporary Improvement in the Aesthetic Appearance of the Skin: When the skin is well-moisturized, it temporarily appears smoother and more refreshed. Since the skin becomes slightly swollen, it looks smooth, fine wrinkles disappear, and pores appear smaller because the skin around them is slightly swollen. This temporary improvement is often exploited by advertisers to sell various moisturizing products that claim to have “anti-aging” effects.

Nevertheless, protection against environmental factors and damage caused by dryness is important in determining the composition and structure of the skin. This protection prevents the decline in the appearance and quality of the facial skin.

Scrubs

Scrubbing or exfoliation involves removing dead skin cells, calluses, and rough patches from the skin, as well as eliminating superficial lines. Oily skin types often experience hardness and accumulation of dead cells. The buildup of dead cells on the skin usually leads to darkening and hardening of the skin. After scrubbing, superficial pimples, skin hardness, and calluses are often removed, leaving the skin feeling lighter. People who scrub their skin often feel a cooling and refreshing sensation on their face afterward.

Why should you use scrub creams (exfoliants)?

Removing horny layers and dead skin cells helps eliminate harmful bacteria, reduce pore size, and enhance the beauty and health of the skin. The methods used for this purpose include mechanical and chemical techniques.
In summer, with warm weather and excessive sweating, dead cells tend to accumulate more on the skin. Additionally, the use of sunscreen creams contributes to the accumulation of dead cells. In winter, even oily skin types need less scrubbing. Regular and timely use of scrubs also helps eliminate superficial wrinkles. Therefore, if you intend to use a scrub, make sure to use it at regular intervals to achieve the desired effect on your facial skin.
Use a scrub that does not contain large granules, as large granules can damage the horny cells, usually causing scratches on the skin that lead to wounds. The granules in the scrub should not cause wounds but should only remove the thin, hard surface of the skin without damaging the horny cells. It is usually recommended to use a moisturizer after scrubbing to provide the necessary moisture to the fresh and young skin.

How to use scrubs

Before using scrub materials, the face should usually be slightly damp so that the scrub, which is almost solid, can spread on the facial skin. Use your fingertips for this purpose
Start from the bottom of the chin and apply the scrub in a circular motion over the entire face. Be very careful when you reach the upper lip and under-eye areas, and never apply the scrub to your eyelids. Use more circular motions on the forehead and chin areas, as dead cells accumulate more in these parts than in other areas of the face.
There is no need to use a sponge or spatula to apply the scrub on the face, as these tools absorb the scrub materials and prevent the skin from benefiting from the minerals.
When washing off the scrub from the face, be careful not to let the materials enter your eyes. After thoroughly washing off the scrub, use a light moisturizer to care for your now fresh and young skin.