Our hair is put through stress every single day, which can lead to damaged,
dull and brittle hair over time. And we all know what some of those bad hair habits are like,
excessive heating, overwashing and colour damage, but most of the time
youd be surprised that you could be actually destroying your hair without even knowing it,
so in this video, we’ll go over what some of those underlying habits you might not be aware of are,
as well go over some hair ingredients you might want to avoid, so stay tuned till the end.
Hi guys, yaseen arsalan, media pharmacist here on youtube where I help you guys make better and more
informed decisions about your health and wellness. So if thats something your into, Be sure to
smash that like button below NOW turn on the notification bell to stay updated with new weekly
videos. Don’t forget to follow me on instagram too for more behind the scenes. So without further a
do, lets dive into those bad hair habits.Let me first preface this by saying, while genetics and
health problems have a direct connection to your hair’s health, and are seperate issues that may
not be under your complete control, this video will tackle the many things that you may be doing
in your daily routine that are damaging your hair. So to begin, lets look at the first one.
Wearing Tight Hairstyles. In a 2016 study published in the Journal of the American
Academy of Dermatology, researchers found a strong association between scalp-pulling hairstyles
(tight ponytails, braids, knots and buns) and the development of traction alopecia, or gradual hair
loss. So to maybe combat this: Try wearing your hair down whenever possible and, if you insist
on tying your hair back, keep it loose to avoid causing breakage and strain on your hair fibers.
Number 2: Brushing your hair when wet. Your hair is at its most fragile state when its wet and is
susceptible to damage. It is best to try to comb your hair before washing to reduce the tangling.
And also allow your hair to dry at least half way before brushing. And if you have textured hair
or tight curls Always comb your hair while it is damp, using a wide-tooth comb for better results.
Number 3: Towel drying. Regular towels are usually made with rough, coarse fabric. Which leads to
more friction when rubbing against the hair, youll end up creating frizz, pulling on fragile strands,
and causing damage and breakage. Instead, opt for a microfiber towel, which glides easily over hair,
reducing strain. Links in the description below.
Number 4: Sleeping on a cotton pillowcase. This kind of ties back in with towel drying.
When sleeping on a cotton pillow, this can lead to tangled hair when we toss and turn at night and
contribute to all that breakage we want to avoid. The smaller fibres, lets say on a silk pillowcase
prevent your hair from excessive pulling as you toss and turn which leads to smoother
hair in the morning. So if you can opt for a silky pillowcase instead, you just might thank me later.
Number 5: Taking excessively hot showers. This is because the heat can strip away
your hair’s natural oil and without it, the hair becomes dry and brittle and more prone
to breakage and falling out. For best results, shower with lukewarm water for nor more than 10-15
minutes, 2-3 times a week. And for a final rinse, use cold water to help lock in extra moisture.
Number 6: Hair sunburn. So it turns out you can get sunburn on your scalp. T he
UV rays target the hair protein and increase free radical damage,
making the hair weak and prone to hair loss. UVA and UVB rays can damage the hair cuticle,
resulting in hair discoloration, split ends, hair thinning, dryness, and frizziness.Just
as you need to protect your skin from the sun, you need to do the same with your scalp as well.
So to combat this: try using a broad-spectrum, sun protector thats residue free: on days when
you'll be outside for a while. And again, links for everything will be in the description below.
Number 7: Swimming in chlorine and or salt water. Now this doesnt mean avoid swimming
in pools or your favorite beach, its more about knowing what to do with your hair to
make sure it isnt damaged. The American Academy of Dermatology’s says to immediately rinse the
ocean or pool water from your hair before applying a deep conditioning cream or oil,
which will help form a protective barrier around the hair shaft and lock in moisture.
Ive also heard that it helps to get your hair wet in a shower, and use a leave in conditioner.
That way when you jump in the water, your hair won’t soak up as much of the chlorine water.
Number 8: Conditioning your roots. You want to avoid your roots while conditioning. Not only
are the roots the youngest hairs on your head. It makes sense to focus more on the ends of your
hair instead since the ends are older and need more moisture. So Start from the ends and comb
the conditioner to the mid-lengths of your hair to hydrate your strands where they need it most.
Number 9: Over-processing. These include Perms, relaxers, professional straightening, and
coloring. All these can make your hair seem like it’s healthier after the first or second session.
But if you go overboard on them, the cuticle can break down and cause hair damage. WHich
is why the (AAD) recommends extending the time between your sessions to 8–10 weeks, if possible.
ANd lastly number 10: Lets break down some of those ingredients you want to be conscious of.
Because you can already be following the previous 9 steps Ive mentioned,
but if your are using products with any of these 5 ingredients. You might be counteracting your
healthy hair habits. Lets look at the first ingredient. And ill try to be brief with
them. But If you want me to go more in depth with them, let me know in the comments below.
1: Sulfates. And You’ve probably heard of sulfates by now; a lot of products that
are tailored as natural hair care, these brands proudly label their packaging as sulfate-free.
This is because Sulfates are harsh on the hair and scalp and can strip away that natural moisture
that keeps your hair shiny and soft. Look out for some of those tricky names like: Ammonium Lauryl
Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate to name a few. Number 2: Fragrance. The term “fragrance” allows
manufacturers to opt out of including a list of the ingredients used to create
that fragrance, as the term is not regulated by the FDA. So you really dont know what constitutes
as “fragrance”. And it can cause Irritation which can sometimes lead to itching to visible symptoms
such as redness or scaling. So opt in for fragrance free products in the meantime.
Number 3: Formaldehyde. a common one in shampoos is quaternium-15. They can also
be found in chemicals used for brazilian blowouts in salons, so its good to do your
research before getting that done and be consious of formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing agents.
Number 4: Triclosan. Its an antibacterial agent that’s often added to personal care
products as a preservative, we still don’t have enough conclusive evidence
to say for sure that it is safe. So in the meantime, it may be best to avoid it for now.
Number 5: DEA and TEA, theyy act as emulsifiers and foam agents that reduce surface tension so
water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients can blend together. In 1998, researchers found a link
between the topical application of DEA and cancer in animals, but the effects on humans are unclear.
Which is why The European Commission has banned DEA in cosmetics to err on the side of caution.
Number 6: Retinyl Palmitate. It is the ester of retinol combined with palmitic acid. It’s
a known skin irritant that can cause peeling, scaling, redness, and itching.
Some have this sensitivity and others dont. So its best to identify if you are sensitive to
this ingredient or not, some experts are on board with it and others arent fully.
And the list goes on, so let me know if you want me to do a video
that goes into this topic in more depth.
And while there are many bad ingredients in shampoos and harmful shampoo brands,
plenty of shampoos use only natural, non-toxic, and organic ingredients, so If
you are suffering from hair loss or unhealthy hair growth and think chemicals are to blame,
try switching to a natural alternative. And thats it guys, I hope that this
video helps give you a better understanding on bad hair habits to avoid and maybe will help you to
achieve healthier hair in the process. All in all, I also hope this video was insightful to you guys,
the only thing I ask in return is just a simple like down below for the youtube algorithm.
Thanks for sticking tuned till the end, and as always, Ill see you on the next one.