To have beautiful hair, most opt for hair care adapted to their hair type in order to hydrate them, protect the lengths and ends and strengthen the hair fiber. But sometimes, even with a good hair routine, hair can appear dry, dull, or damaged. Have you gotten into the habit of washing your hair in hot water? If so, you should consider revising the way you wash your hair as soon as possible. Explanations.
Certain actions that seem harmless to us can make our hair fragile and promote split ends. Indeed, aggressive care can alter the hair fiber and force you to redouble your efforts to get the mane of your dreams. In this article, Shari Marchbein, a dermatologist in New York City, tells Allure Media outlets why you should avoid washing your hair in hot water.
Washing your hair in hot water, a habit to be avoided
To take care of the hair, it is strongly recommended to space the washings. According to Vanessa Giani, manager of Training Center Jean-Louis David, most hair types only need one to two washes per week. However, oily hair, which produces a significant amount of sebum compared to others, can be washed daily with a mild shampoo. Besides the frequency of washing, the temperature of the water used to rinse them seems to be an important factor. Shari Marchbein, explains that a jet of hot water can adversely affect the quality and health of the hair. In fact, rinsing can reduce the hydrolipidic film on the skin. This film constitutes an essential protective barrier for the skin. Likewise, hot water reduces necessary oils on the scalp, says the expert. In the absence of these oils, hair can become inflamed and fail to grow optimally. “Think of an inflamed scalp, like trying to grow small plants in lava,” explains the dermatologist before adding “it’s almost impossible to have healthy hair.”
So, it would appear that the hot water is stripping the hair. Plus, hot water doesn’t necessarily wash away shampoo and conditioner, and leaves hair looking greasy. The latter will then be less brilliant and of lower quality. In this sense, the dermatologist advises using lukewarm water or even cold water to tighten the scales and provide more shine to her hair.
7 tips for healthy hair
To take care of your hair, it is essential to set up a beauty routine:
Choose a shampoo adapted to your needs
Depending on your hair type and your needs, choose a specific shampoo. If you have dry hair, choose a sulfate-free shampoo. If you have damaged and weakened hair, you can buy ceramide-based shampoo to strengthen the fiber.
Rinse the hair with cold water
As we explained before, cold water helps tighten the scales and make the hair soft and shiny.
Massage
To stimulate hair growth, it is necessary to activate the microcirculation by massaging the scalp. After applying coconut oil, castor oil, or sweet almond oil, massage your scalp in circular motions. For optimal results, treat yourself to a hair massage once or twice a week.
Space the washes
This allows the sebum to work and nourish your hair naturally. The ideal washing frequency is twice a week, unless you have oily hair.
Apply masks and hair care
To nourish the hair, use natural vegetable oils or ingredients rich in fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins once or twice a week. Coconut oil, avocado, yogurt and even honey are all ingredients that hydrate and strengthen the hair fiber.
Protect hair from the sun
The sun can dry out your hair and make it more fragile. Apply a spray to your hair before exposing yourself to UV rays.
Cut the tips
To activate hair growth and avoid split ends, it is advisable to cut the ends by 1 centimeter every two months.
