Common Mistakes We Make with Our Hair

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    Indian women today believe their hair looks beautiful; they believe it’s definitely not damaged! But research shows otherwise. Excessive brushing and blow-drying silently damage your hair. Dr. Rohini Wadhwani, Medical Director, Skin Essentials, talks to us about how vulnerable our hair is and the most common mistakes we make when it comes to hair care.

Neglect after treatment
Styling and physically manipulating your hair is a major cause of hair damage. Especially with women today, styling efforts have increased ten-fold! Says Rohini Wadhwani, “The most common mistake Indian women make with their hair is that they do not look after it after various treatments. The treatment per se is not damaging your hair, it’s what you do after that counts. Whether it’s colouring, perming or blow-drying, the damage will only show months later.”

Combing wet hair
Many of us do this due to habit and routine, but it is a big no-no. “Combing wet hair with a fine comb is out of the question,” says Wadhwani. “I recommend the use of a wider toothed comb if you must ease out knots after a hair wash.” The surface damage rendered by this action can actually strip the protective layers of your hair. So it is essential to keep this in mind next time around.

Vigorous towel drying
Most Indian women have a habit of vigorously towel drying their hair after a wash; this again is wrong says Wadhwani. “A little natural drying instead of scrubbing away with a towel is good for your hair. Wrap the towel around your head and just let the water soak in automatically.”

No conditioner!
Yes, some women still believe they can get away without using a conditioner. “This is a big no-no,” says Wadhwani. “Especially if you’re treating your hair, a conditioner is a must.” Even if your hair has not been chemically treated, external factors such as pollution, diet and lifestyle can take a toll on your hair. “I recommend since we can’t stop moving out of the house, don’t blow-dry your hair everyday!”

4 types of hair damage to watch out for:
Mechanical: Caused by increased styling efforts.
Thermal: Caused by the practice of using heat to style or manipulate your hair.
Environmental: Caused by pollution, lifestyle, diet, sun and even the water you use to wash your hair!
Chemical: Caused by dyeing or bleaching your hair.