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How to shampoo & style your hair to keep them healthy

Dr. Aman Dua | April, 6 2015 | 0 Comments

So you know that you are supposed to shampoo your hair every now and then, but do you really know how to choose the right shampoo for yourself. In addition, do you know which conditioner is right for you and what is the correct method of applying the same? These all might seem like very basic questions, but have left many a people stumped!
There are numerous things you need to know about the things you use in your bathroom, day in day out. Additionally, you also need to know the ‘how to’ of shampoos, conditioners and other styling products and processes.

Let’s start with how to handle your hair while you are in the shower:

  • There is quite the chance that you might not know how to choose the correct shampoo or conditioner for your hair. If you are blessed to have truly normal hair, then you can pick out almost any type of shampoo or conditioner and get away with it. However, if you have dry or oil hair, then you need to make sure that you pick up products that match your hair type. Most products have these details mentioned very clearly on them and almost 99% of the time, you can trust what is written on the packaging. If you are still not convinced, you can talk to the staff at your trusted salon or even meet a doctor, who will be able to guide you towards picking out the right products.
  • In almost every case, it is only the scalp that gets dirty, while the tips are hardly unclean. The roots and scalp are where the oils congregate and create a ground for dirt accumulation, which is why every time you shampoo, you need to concentrate mainly on the scalp. It is also a good idea to massage the scalp and roots with a little warm oil, before each shampoo.
  • Normally, when you massage the shampoo into your scalp the first time around, the scalp should become clean. There are very rare occasions, when you will have to shampoo your hair a second time. As a matter of fact, many of you might have noticed that the first time you shampoo your hair, there is not a lot of froth, but when you repeat the process, there is. This happens because the first time around, the hair is being cleaned out, while the second time, the shampoo is working on clean hair. So, unless you are someone who utilises a lot of styling products, one cycle of the process is enough.
  • All said and done, even the best shampoo is soap, a mild form of a detergent, which is why it is crucial that you wash it out completely. Should some traces of the shampoo remain in your hair, it could lead to your hair becoming flat and losing on volume. In addition, you could also have to deal with itching and irritation, which in turn could lead to hair loss.
  • Choosing a good conditioner and using it the right way is just as important. However, it is important that you give your conditioner the time it needs to work. Most people will wash off the conditioner within minutes of applying it, but the fact is that the conditioner needs to be left for slightly longer time before washing it off.

Now that you have ensured that you have washed and conditioned your hair properly, it is time to move onto styling and taking care of your hair:

  • Keeping your comb clean is absolutely essential for healthy hair, which is why you should take the effort to ‘declog’ your combs and brushes regularly. Ideally, you should remove excess hair from the comb, once a week. When you do that, you can create a mild soap solution and keep the comb soaked in it overnight. Alternately, you can also create a solution with bleach and water and soak the comb in this solution. This is also a great way to disinfect the combs, especially for people who have dandruff.
  • Wet hair is incredibly delicate, which means that when your hair is wet, it needs to be handled very carefully. This is precisely why you should not use any heat related equipment, such as hair straighteners or curling irons, whilst your hair is wet. When you use heat on wet hair, the water inside the hair shafts can boil, which can cause severe damage.
  • Even if you are planning to use a blow dryer, it is best that you allow your hair to dry out a little. Even your stylist will tell you that damp hair is easier to work with. Make sure that you dry out the roots first, because this will ensure the wellbeing of your hair.
  • When you are blow drying your hair, it is best that you dry your hair completely. When you leave your hair partially wet, there is an elevated chance of hair damage. For people who have the time, the most ideal method of drying hair is by alternating between hot and cold settings.
  • Once you are done drying your hair, you can apply some leave in conditioner, as this will provide a protective layer. However, you need to remember that all styling products are chemical based, which is why the lesser you use it, the better. The same rule applies to the quantities you utilise.

Dr. Aman Dua

Dr. Aman Dua

Dr. Aman Dua, Co-Founder & Managing Director at AK Clinics has over 14 years of clinical and teaching experience in the fields of Dermatology and Hair Transplant. Clinically, she has practiced aesthetic dermatology as a Consultant at Dayanand Medical Hospital, Ludhiana where she also served as the Assistant Professor & Skin Specialist for a number of years.

Over the course of her career, she has garnered acclaim as a facial aesthetics expert, with special interest in non-surgical acne scar removal. She practices as a Chief Dermatologist at Ludhiana Clinics.

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