Lather, rinse and repeat. These three words are on the cover of almost every shampoo bottle, but how many of us actually follow the directions?
Junior Jack Deible is one that adheres to typical hair care. “My routine for taking care of my hair starts with washing, rinsing and repeating, then I let nature take its course.” However it’s a common argument among the hair community whether or not repeatedly washing your hair is beneficial to keeping it healthy. Some might argue that washing your hair too often can rid it of its natural oils and nutrients, while others may say that this simply adds to the cleaning process.
Another aspect that has proven to be detrimental to hair health is dying or highlighting your hair. Hair dying is not only harmful to your hair but also harmful to your body. One of the primary chemicals detected in hair dye, Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) was banned in France, Sweden and Germany because it was thought to be hazardous to one’s health. The use of this chemical has been linked to allergic reactions, respiratory disorders and even cancer. In spite of these risks, people still continue to put these harmful chemicals in their hair, such as freshman Victoria Huenemann. “I highlight my hair because I think it looks good, but I still make sure I condition it well so it isn’t too unhealthy,” Huenemann said. Huenemann is far from alone in this field. “I don’t think dying hair is bad,” Senior Thanh Duy Le said. “I dyed my hair because I don’t like the original color and it looks a lot cooler this way.”
Frequently using heated styling tools such as hair dryers, curling irons and straightening irons can easily burn and kill your hair. Junior Tatiana Niang commonly straightens her hair and doesn’t pay attention to the risks it may cause. “I straighten my hair almost every day just because I don’t like the way my hair looks naturally,” Niang said. “I know using heat on your hair is bad but until I actually see bad effects, I’m going to keep doing it.”
Other factors such as abstaining from smoking, exercising daily and eating right can improve the health of your hair. Smoking makes hair brittle and dry, causing it to break easily, and it can even lead to hair loss. Unlike smoking, exercising regularly can relieve mental stress and can promote hair growth. Maintaining a healthy diet gives your body the natural nutrients it needs to grow healthy hair, making it look glossier and feel stronger. “I exercise a few times a week and I try to keep my diet healthy to benefit my hair since right now it’s pretty dead,” Niang said.
There are countless products out there to prevent your hair from becoming frizzy, losing its artificial color, being damaged by heat and more. Herbal Essences None of Your Frizzness Smoothing Leave-In Creme is a leave-in conditioner that makes your hair softer while reducing frizz.“I usually use a Tresemme heat protector for my hair before I straighten it so it doesn’t get too fried and damaged,” Huenemann said. Heat protectants such as Chi Silk Infusion heat protector should be applied before using a heated styling tool to prevent damage to the hair.
No matter how hard you try to perfect your hair, there is probably always going to be some problem you can find with it. One thing is for certain though, washing regularly is the first step you can take in keeping your hair as healthy as possible.
