Common Hair Mistakes To Avoid For Healthier and Dandruff-Free Hair

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Hair fall can be caused by too much stress and living amidst a life-threatening pandemic certainly counts as stressful. Board certified dermatologist Dr. Papri Sarkar tells Allure that everyone she's had contact with, including primary care physicians and other medical practitioners, have experienced a massive increase in hair loss. Excessive stress to the system commonly causes telogen effluvium, or temporary hair loss, in people of all ethnicities and hair types. It can also cause dandruff.

As Covid-19 hasn't been eliminated and people continue to find different ways to manage stress, here are common hair mistakes to avoid for healthier and dandruff-free hair.

Skipping Shampoo

While many, especially those with curly hair, sing the praises of co-washing, skipping shampoo or shampooing less is not for everyone. Everyone's scalp is different and dermatologist Dr. Anjali Mahto explains to Refinery29 that you have to treat your scalp the same way you treat your face. She adds that the scalp and face have the most amount of oil glands so if you have oily skin, you'll have to wash both more often. dandruff is another issue that 50 percent of people suffer from, Dr. Mahto says. She suggests washing hair at least three times a week. Refinery29 suggests looking for specific products that cater to your needs. For dry and flaky scalp, they recommend The Body Shop Ginger Scalp Care Shampoo and Conditioner.

Wrapping Wet Hair In Towels

This is something most of us do as soon as we step out of the shower, but trichologist Jane Mayhead elasticity increases when hair is wet. When the hair is stretched and you leave it like that to dry, hair can snap from the unnecessary tension. Refinery29 suggests investing in a microfiber towel, like Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban, for quicker water absorption and to reduce friction. However, it's still a no-no to wrap your hair in it. Just use it to squeeze out water from the hair in gentle motions. You can even use an old cotton T-shirt for this as the usual terry cloth bath towels are rougher on hair.

Also read: Trichologists Weigh In On The Constant Use of Dry Shampoo

Applying conditioner to sopping wet hair.

If you notice, hairdressers squeeze out excess water before applying conditioner to hair. When you don't do this at home, excess water dilutes your post-shampoo products and mostly renders them ineffective. Use a wide tooth comb to detangle hair then gently squeeze out the excess water before applying your conditioner or hair mask then make sure you leave it on for the whole duration of your shower. Rinse off with cold water.

Mixing and matching shampoo and conditioner.

While these may not be an issue for those with normal scalps, if you're prone to dandruff, it's better to use a shampoo and conditioner duo as they are formulated to work together. Dr. Mahto always uses a matching shampoo and conditioner for best results. For dandruff issues, try Head and Shoulders Supreme Soothe and Strengthen Shampoo and Conditioner with Argan Oil and Rose Essence. As much as possible, use sulfate-free hair products.

Using heat styling tools on the highest setting.

While most trichologists would tell you to avoid heat styling altogether, there are just times when you want tamer strands. To avoid broken strands, frizz, and split ends, use low to medium heat. You can also invest in a styling tool, like Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, that specifically minimizes heat damage.

Using the wrong hair tools.

In general, it's better to use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling comb for any type of hair to avoid snagging and breaking. A big no-no is to use a brush on wet hair. Also, to avoid putting pressure on hair strands, start combing at the ends to detangle hair and then work your way upwards. Allure recommends Tangle Teezer The Original, Hercules Sagemann Magic Star Hair Comb and Milk + Sass Macaron for Hair Detangling Brush.