From The Straits Times    |
washhair_t

(Photo: 123rf.com)

 

Shampoo As Often As Needed
According to Jean-Claude, International Education Manager at Phyto, you should wash your hair as often as needed to cleanse it of impurities such as dirt, dust and sweat.

In our humid weather, we tend to perspire, our scalp produces sebum, causing it to become oily. 

 

Eliminate Impurities

Oils, sweat, dirt and dust will accumulate in your hair throughout the day, and the use of styling products leaves chemical residue on your scalp and hair.

If the build-up of oil, dirt and sweat is not removed from the scalp, the hair follicles become clogged, preventing healthy hair growth. 

Girish Giovanni, Haircare Scientific Communications Specialist at Procter & Gamble, adds: “Pristine maintenance of the hair cuticles also prepares hair for the next step in your hair care regimen.”

If you feel that shampooing twice or even three times a day will dry out your hair, use a conditioner to boost its moisture levels.

 

Oily Scalps, Take Note
You need to wash your hair more regularly as sebum builds up quickly and can be difficult to manage.

“However, keep the shampoo only on the hair and not on the scalp as you want to gently cleanse the hair from the roots to the tips without washing off the natural sebum on the scalp,” explains Giovanni.

 

Washing hair at night
Your scalp produces sebum to lubricate the hair shaft. Sebum is oil-like in nature, and traps dirt and dust.

If you don’t wash your hair at night, the gunk will stay on your hair and scalp overnight, attracting bacteria to the scalp – that’s the reason why it itches.

This may eventually even lead to a dandruff infection, says Giovanni.

However, Jean-Claude says that leaving your hair unwashed at night – even if you have used styling products in the day – will not
 harm you.

This is because the residue will be eliminated and washed off during the morning shampoo.

But if your scalp tends to get irritated or itchy easily, it’s best to shampoo before bedtime.

 

Skip hot water
Avoid washing hair in water that’s too hot.

Giovanni: “This is because sweat glands will be naturally stimulated in such conditions, causing the sebaceous glands to overproduce sebum as a natural response to ‘cool’ the body.”

This article was originally published in Simply Her January 2012.

Coach ID Lanyard
Now $75
Original price: $168
Shop Now
Jabra Elite 4 Wireless Earbuds
Now $88
Original price: $162
Shop Now
BaByliss Air Pro 2300
Now $63
Original price: $144
Shop Now
Abib Collagen Eye Patch
Now $19
Original price: $35
Shop Now