Thinning hair may have a lot to do with our genes, but preventive tactics can go a long way to keep it at bay. From the amount of shampoo we should really be using to how to properly blow-dry our hair, celebrity hairstylists know a thing or two about keeping hair full for as long as possible.
Scale back the shampoo.
"As hair is in its most fragile state when it’s wet and thinning hair may not be securely anchored in the hair follicle, care should be taken when washing the hair,” says celebrity hairstylist Arsen Gurgov, adding that measuring out how much shampoo we’re using is a good way to start. “Pull your hair back into a ponytail and use its diameter as a reference for how much shampoo to use.”
Hands off
Michelle Blaisure, certified trichologist and product and technical specialist for Bosley Professional Strength, says to towel-blot when drying hair instead of vigorously shaking and rubbing it. "You may be pulling out fragile hair prematurely by doing this,” she says. “The same goes for blow-drying: Be gentle!”
Cash Lawless, celebrity hairstylist for SEVEN Haircare, adds that we shouldn't put hair up into a ponytail, bun or anything that adds tension, while it’s drying, either. “This will stretch the hair under the rubber band and allow it to dry in a brittle state. When you go to pull out the band or brush it, the likelihood of breakage skyrockets.”
Show your scalp some love.
Temur, lead stylist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon, suggests using a gentle bristle paddle brush for five to 10 minutes to massage your scalp (this stimulates blood circulation to promote healthy hair formation over time). In-shower scalp massagers also work wonders and can help get shampoos deeper into the scalp for maximum oomph.
Loosen up
Matrix celebrity stylist George Papanikolas says to be weary of tight hairbands. “Tight elastics can put a lot of tension on delicate hair and cause breakage.” Another thing to stay away from: hair accessories that contain metal, as Gurgov says these can snag and break the hair.
Use protection
Kathy Benghanem, celebrity stylist and owner of Gemini 14 Salon in NYC, says we should always use a heat protectant—sprays and creams both work well—when using hot tools. And yes, a blowdryer counts!
Don't be afraid of damp hair.
“Don’t blow-dry your hair completely dry unless you must,” says Gurgov, adding that a good rule of thumb is to concentrate only on the roots and upper lengths of hair to give it some volume. “Try leaving the rest of it damp and letting it air-dry.”
Masking must
Benghanem says treating your strands to an at-home mask at least once a week is always a good idea. “It may seem a little out of the box, but mixing an egg with olive oil is a DIY-remedy that helps strengthen strands and fight hair loss,” she adds.
Source: newbeauty.com
