Common hair damages and their treatment
Split ends
Causes:- The most common causes of spilt ends are; use of heated appliances (Hair dryers) and chemical processing (like using dies), using the wrong type of brush and comb and general neglect.
Cure:-
- Since hair grows 1.25 cm. a month, a trim of 6.3 cm. every five weeks should suffice.
- To prevent your hair getting trapped at the base of the brush use a wide -toothed, non-metal comb or brush with a padded base and widely spaced bristles.
- Avoid the use of hair dryer at hottest temperature setting.
- Use a conditioning treatment upto the ends of hair.
Dull hair
Causes: - In healthy hair, the cuticle lies flat and reflects the light. Harsh chemicals and environment assaults can cause healthy hair to become rough and damaged, spoiling the reflective surface. The cause of dull hair is a build-up left by styling products or the conditioning agent that two-in-one products contain. Some times an illness, like flue releases toxins from the body through the sebaceous glands in the scalp, coating the hair, eventually leading to listless hair.
Cure: - The most important rule is to keep your hair clean. It is better to follow a well- balanced diet -protein and iron are essential for shiny hair, as is vitamin C.
Dry hair
Cause: The main reason for dry hair is the over use of heated appliances, perming, colouring, bleaching, incorrect use of products and environmental damage.
Cure : Switch to a shampoo and a rinse-out conditioner for dry hair. Don’t apply conditioner to the roots, it will leave hair heavy and limp. At least once or twice a week, use a deep conditioning treatment to re-moisturize. Alternatively, you can rub hair oil between your palm and then massage it into dry areas. Avoid rollers and tight elastic bands on the brittle hair as they may cause it to break.
Hair loss
It is quite natural to lose about fifty to hundred a day. More than this amount of hair loss could result from any one of a number of factors and may be cause for concern.
Cause:-
- Daily repetition of certain hairstyles, like hair tightly pulled back, braided or wrapped around rollers can pull out individual hairs. Such pulling can damage and destroy follicles completely and the hair will not grow back.
- Emotional stress may bring on alopecia areata, a disorder that results in bald patches on the scalp and may be associated with changes in the immune system. Emotional stress can also cause hair to fall from parts of the scalp.
- Body stress is also known to cause excessive hair loss. Hair loss can result from pregnancy or begin when a woman stop taking birth control pills.
Cure:
It is better to see a trichologist if handfuls of hair fall out after shampooing. For mild hair loss, use products that tone and invigorate the scalp and stimulate the growth. Scalping massage is good, which aside from being relaxing and reducing stress levels, loosens and stimulates the scalp and promotes healthy hair growth.
Most hair loss is temporary, but when the follicles are destroyed by serious scalp burns, excessive exposure to x-rays, or vital infection, hair loss can be permanent.
Dry scalp
Cause: It may or may not be a cause of dandruff
Cure: Dry scalp can be controlled by using a very gentle shampoo and intensive conditioner regularly.
