People often ask me how to correctly wash hair. Have you ever considered if you are washing your hair correctly? We shampoo alone, and most often do it the same way.  There is no one to correct your mistakes when you cleanse your hair alone and more likely than not you don’t observe others washing their hair to learn from them or question their technique. I’m frequently asked how often should hair be washed and the answer is simple – daily! You wash or cleanse your face every day to keep skin looking its best – your hair goes to all the same places so it too needs daily care.

Choice of shampoo is important – choose one according to your hair type: fine and straight, wavy, frizzy etc

Pre-Shampoo
All hair types will benefit from a healthy hair regime that includes a ‘pre shampoo’. This is a conditioning treatment applied before shampoo onto dampened hair, and left in for approximately 15 minutes. The aim of the treatment is to moisturize the hair from within, penetrating deep under the hair cuticles helping to moisturise, condition and strengthen. This pre-shampoo treatment helps repair and protect your hair from weathering and chemical damage caused during processing such as colouring, straightening and perming.Cationic conditioners are particularly effective in pre shampoo treatments as they deposit a molecular layer of ingredients onto the hair surface as well as neutralising static and improving comb through and shine. Simply, using a pre-shampoo treatment prevents the heavy build-up that is often encountered with intensive conditioners. The ingredients used to carry the treatment into the hair cuticle need to be shampooed off otherwise the hair would be limp, sticky and without shine.

Detangle
Just before you wash your hair, firstly detangle the hair by running a wide-toothed comb through starting at the ends, gradually working up the hair strands. Use a ‘saw-cut’ comb in which each tooth is cut into it, making it smoother. They are available in plastic or vulcanite (hard rubber). Avoid cheap plastic combs made from a mould as these can cut into the hair. Metal combs are even worse as their edges can lacerate the hair.

Correct Shampooing
Pre-soaking
Pre-soaking is vital. Thoroughly wet hair needs less shampoo. Use warm water and gently draw your fingers through your hair as the water is flowing over it.

Shampoo and lather
Don’t pour the shampoo directly onto the hair, pour it onto the palm of your hand, rub your hands together and then smooth the shampoo over your hair. Gently rub your palms over your hair, and then massage the scalp with your fingertips in a gentle kneading motion. Massage on any part of the body is relaxing and gives a feeling of well being.  This is particularly so in scalp massage and shampooing. Continue the massaging action for approximately thirty seconds and every so often run your fingers through your hair from front to back in order to avoid tangling. One wash is all that is necessary when washing your hair daily.

Rinsing
When you think it has been rinsed enough, rinse again.  Dull hair is often caused by insufficient rinsing. There is no need to finish off a rinse with cold water.

Conditioning
You should always use an after-shampoo conditioner whatever your hair type. Pour a small quantity into the palm of your hand, rub your hands together and smooth the conditioner over the hair, paying particular attention to the ends. Do not rub into the scalp or put the conditioner on the hair near the scalp. Rinse immediately.Many people believe that leaving conditioner your hair is better for it. That is a false myth.There is no reason to leave conditioner in your hair for any length of time. A well-formulated conditioner should act on the hair immediately.
You can’t ‘over condition’. If you think you are – you may be using the wrong conditioner, or too much or not using it correctly.

Much like another reader’s question about using mayonnaise to condition their hair and prevent hair loss,there has been no clinical research linking the use of olive oil to the prevention of hair loss. While some people may swear by using olive oil, preventing hair loss has been clinically linked to overall health as well as the health of the hair follicle itself. However, even if you do all you can to prevent hair loss, some people may still experience it because of a genetic predisposition. Olive oil quickly attracts dust particles to the hair and can turn rancid very quickly, it is not a tested and true solution to hair loss.

If you think you are experiencing hair loss, DHD suggests that you make an appointment for a free consultation.

No, hair is basically protein and keratin and has no blood supply or nervous system. Your body does not know that your hair is cut because it has no way of communicating this information to your body. People often believe that shaving causes the beard to grow faster or thicker, but facial hair typically grows thicker and faster as you age so if you grow more hair due to shaving, it is likely only a coincidence. Hair styling habits don’t create permanent hair loss because they typically don’t damage the root of hair follicles underneath the scalp’s surface.

Getting frequent haircuts is a good way to keep existing hair healthy by removing damaged, split ends, but haircuts have no effect on your hair’s growth rate or thickness.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, and published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, found that the number of hair follicle stem cells did not differ between those suffering from Androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as male/female pattern baldness, and those who had a full head of hair.  The study examined bald scalps and non-bald scalps, testing for the presence of hair follicle stem and progenitor cells, and found that while the number of hair follicle stem cells was the same between sample patients, the number of progenitor cells was lower for bald scalps than for non-bald scalps. These researchers concluded that balding is caused by inactive stem cells and a lower number of progenitor cells, thus leading these researchers and others to believe that a cure to Androgenetic alopecia is possible by targeting the reactivation of inactive stem cells, and thus promoting hair regrowth, in balding patients.

Stem cells are non-specialized cells with the unique ability to develop into different types of cells, essentially dividing multiple times over into different cells to repair or replace old cells. Hair follicle stem cells reside in the hair follicle bulge located in the skin and are responsible for hair follicle regrowth. Previous to this study, researchers believed that those who suffered from balding had fewer hair follicle stem cells due to the decrease in hair follicle size; however, the new research suggests that this is not the case.

While this study definitely gives hope to finding a cure for baldness in the future, currently the only permanent solution to restoring your hair and hairline is hair transplantation

Nutritional supplements have been used for many years to help reverse or slow down hair loss. There are numerous supplements that may improve the strength and quality of your hair or help reduce hair loss including essential fatty acids, MSM, inositol, biotin, vitamin B complex, raw thymus glandular, zinc, vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10, copper, grape seed extract and silica. While these supplements might work for some in halting further hair loss, or regrowing some hair, they are not likely effective in combating genetic hair loss, such as male pattern baldness. The only known and proven solution for permanent or genetic hair loss is hair transplantation/ restoration.

So, while nutritional supplements may help treat your hair loss, you should always consult with your Trichologist before using any of these health supplements.

If you’re experiencing hair loss, speak with your physician first to rule out any underlying medical conditions and to gain a better understanding of your hair loss. If you suffer from permanent hair loss, DHD suggests you visit your Trichologist right away to determine your condition and get the proper treatment.