Many people refer to hair as their “crowning glory” and try different styling products to change their look and feel. These products may give their hair a short-term wow factor before long-term effects, like hair loss, set in. They can’t help but wonder — is the haircare product to blame?
You might have heard certain products cause hair loss. But how much of it is a bad rep, and how much of it is true? Keep reading to find out how styling products could be causing your hair distress and what you can do about it.
1. Harmful ingredients or formulations
Hair products are made from a common pool of ingredients recognised as safe by relevant authorities. While there’s no standard “naughty list” of ingredients that everyone agrees on, many know that certain ingredients are potentially harmful or become problematic with overuse. However, research is still growing, and knowledge is continually changing.
Common ingredients on most people’s watch-list include sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, isopropyl alcohol, and synthetic colours and dyes. If you already have sensitive skin, it might do to avoid these common irritants. Always read the fine print and look for the perfect formulation of proteins and moisturising agents to round up your products, as too much or too little of either can lead to breakage.
2. The wrong product for your hair type
Select what’s best for your hair type and texture when choosing styling products. Those with oily hair can benefit from the light and oil-free formulas and steer clear of products that give an extra shine, whereas those with dull, brittle hair can switch to products that promote moisture.
If your hair is dry, ingredients like isopropyl alcohol (common in hair sprays and gels) will further strip your hair of natural oils, causing it to become coarser, drier, and more prone to breakage. Certain ingredients will be too harsh or insufficient for your hair type, so find the right products to balance things out.
3. Product buildup on the scalp
When you use styling products regularly, they start to build up. Washing doesn’t always get rid of the gunk, either — it accumulates on the scalp, clogs the hair follicles, and prevents moisture and essential oils from getting to the hair shaft. This results in an irritated scalp and dry, brittle strands that become prone to breakage.
Make sure to deep-clean your hair properly after styling by using a cleansing shampoo and nourishing conditioner to eliminate any product buildup.
4. Repeated trauma to the hair and scalp
When styling your hair, do you use heating tools, blow dryers, and iron curlers? These and the continuous exposure to hairstyling chemicals don’t do you any favours. If you’re sporting a long hairstyle, note that tightly pulled hairdos cause excessive tension that slows down or prevents blood flow to the hair shaft and affects hair growth. This can lead to traction alopecia, which causes permanent follicle damage and hair loss in the long term.
It’s recommended to avoid tight hairstyles, use heat protectants, or limit heat styling altogether.
5. Your scalp is especially sensitive
If you find yourself still battling with adverse effects despite all care, it might be because your scalp is more sensitive than others. There’s no getting around this since everyone’s skin is built different, and what’s okay for the next person may not jibe with you.
You may have to go through trial-and-error to grasp your hair’s limits better. At the very least, you can check if your products are dermatologically-tested or have passed hypoallergenic tests before you use them.
Conclusion
If you’re concerned that your products may be causing hair loss, consider changing your product regimen to get back your healthy head of hair. There are also natural remedies to stimulate hair growth. But if it seems irreversible, worry not! There is a range of solutions for hair replacement in Singapore to help you retain your natural looks and preserve your crowning glory. Our specialists at Rehair Lab are equipped with the expertise to design a hair replacement system to match your look and lifestyle.