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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.
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.
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.