There are some beliefs about hair treatment that have been around for a long time and are not only false but are actually harmful to your hair. One of these has to do with the old adage that you should brush your hair one hundred strokes each night. If Mom taught you this, she was wrong. Excessive brushing, and one hundred strokes is excessive, does nothing but pull your hair out. To maintain a healthy head of hair the number one rule is to treat it gently. That means don t brush or comb roughly or excessively.
There is also some inaccurate information about shampooing floating around. One myth is that you have to shampoo twice to get hair squeaky clean. Of course, we do want our hair clean but, unless your hair is very dirty, one application of shampoo is sufficient. And your hair will not be any cleaner if you shampoo it in hot water. Instead use warm water to shampoo and cool water to rinse.
But it does matter what kind of shampoo you use. While it is tempting to choose whatever brand is on sale at your local grocery store, some shampoos are too harsh for your hair. Use a mild shampoo and choose one that is formulated for your hair type. If you dye your hair, it is especially important to choose a gentle shampoo for color treated hair. And while you may have also read that hair dryers will damage your hair, this is not so. Either hand held or hood dryers are safe for your hair if you use them properly. However, the best way to dry your hair is either to gently towel dry or just let it air dry.
Another myth concerns dandruff. Dandruff is not a danger to your health. It is usually the result of a very common skin problem known as seborrheic dermatitis. It can also be due to another skin problem called psoriasis in which the growth of new skin cells is unusually rapid causing small bits of skin to flake off. The cause is not known. An environment where the air is either very cold or very hot and dry will also cause the scalp to be more vulnerable to flaking and itching. While dandruff does not affect the health of your scalp or your hair, it is a condition that generally lasts for a long time and requires on going treatment.
There are many anti dandruff shampoos available. The most effective ones have active ingredients that include tar, sulfur, selenium and salicylic acid. When you take your daily shower, wet your hair and apply the shampoo. Rub it in well, covering all parts of your scalp. Wait at least two minutes before rinsing. Rinse with lukewarm water. People with dandruff do need to be careful about using hot dryers and electric curlers, as they tend to cause your scalp to dry out. If the shampoo does not work then you will need professional help. Your doctor can prescribe various preparations that will relieve the symptoms.
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