Trichology is a branch of science that deals with hair, especially human hair. It is a sub-specialty within both dermatology and cosmetology. Trichologists have expertise in managing and treating all types of hair related problems.
One thing that makes trichology unique from other branches of medicine is its deep focus on diagnosing medical conditions by examining individual strands of human hair under microscopic observation. Here in this article, we will be concentrating on the tips from the trichologist that can help you have the perfect hair that you always wanted.
Who Is a Trichologist?
A trichologist is a hair care expert that specializes in all things scalp and hair. They’re experts on issues like dandruff, greasy hair, lice, baldness, and even chemical damage. They also know what products are best for your specific needs, whether that’s to grow long locks or get rid of pesky flyaways. They know everything there is to know about your scalp.
So, if you’re looking for tips on caring for your hair and scalp, you should probably get in touch with a trichologist. Even if you’re not looking to make an appointment with one of these experts, it never hurts to read up on what they have to say about natural hair care and general advice on maintaining a healthy scalp.
How to Care for Your Hair
With tips from a trichologist, you can care for your hair in ways that bring out its true beauty. A natural hairstyle is crucial if you want your hair to look and feel great. Be sure to choose a specialist who knows how to work with all types of hair. Several issues make up dandruff. How severe yours depend on which factors bother you most. Different products contain different ingredients, but there’s usually an option that addresses many causes of dandruff at once. The following advice will help you have a healthy head of hair
1. Drink More Water
Dehydration can cause split ends and make your hair look brittle, dry, or dull. It’s one of those things we notice right away in other people but that we forget about when it comes to ourselves. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day—especially if you’re spending a lot of time outside or engaged in exercise. In addition to hydrating your body, water gives your hair a natural shine that you can’t get from any shampoo or conditioner.
Keep a water bottle on your desk at work and sip it throughout the day. Not only will you stay hydrated, keeping a water bottle by your side at all times, but there’s also less of a chance that you’ll crave high-calorie drinks like soda or sugary juice.
2. Avoid Tight Ponytails
Ponytails are flattering for curly hair, but if you’re not careful about how you tie your mane up, you could end up stretching your hair out. To avoid breakage and split ends, wear ponytails as little as possible. If you must wear a ponytail, make sure it isn’t too tight. It might sound obvious, but try to tie it loosely to minimize any friction that will pull on your scalp and cause damage over time.
You may even want to use two or three elastics or bobby pins instead of one larger one—that way, you can stretch them out more easily when you take off your hairband at night so that none of them will be tugging on your locks all day long.
3. Protect Your Hair from The Sun
When you spend time in the sunlight, hair is exposed to harmful UV rays. To protect your strands from sun damage and premature gravy hairs, wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an SPF-infused hair cream while in outdoor environments. When you are out on a sunny day, make sure to rehydrate your hair with a conditioner after it has been exposed to hot dry air all day.
This will help retain moisture and minimize breakage from overheating. You can also wear a hat during times when harsh rays of sunlight hit directly on your scalp. Not only does a hat shield your head from direct sunlight, but it keeps warmth close to your head during cold weather as well.
4. Your Diet Matters
You probably know that what you eat has a big impact on your hair, skin and nails—but did you know it can also have an impact on your hair growth? While there are no actual foods to help you grow your hair, there are plenty of nutrients that play a crucial role in keeping your hair healthy and strong. If you want longer, stronger strands, look into adding these vitamins and minerals to your diet: selenium, biotin, zinc and iron.
Biotin-rich food sources include eggs, nuts and fish; zinc-rich sources include sunflower seeds, cashews and pumpkin seeds; while iron-rich foods include chicken breast, lentils and spinach. Make sure you’re getting enough omega-3 fatty acids, which not only make your hair shinier but can help increase its length over time.
5. Avoid Over-Washing Hair
If you tend to wash your hair every day, it might be time to rethink your shampoo routine. Our scalp produces oils that act as a natural conditioner, which we often strip away with daily showers. But while too much washing can dry out and damage hair, there’s no need to wash it every day—it’s recommended that we do so only 2-3 times per week.
Too little washing leads to dirty hair and makes us more prone to infections; over-washing leaves us vulnerable to breakage, especially when using heated tools like curling irons or blow dryers. Aim for somewhere in between–washing once or twice a week is ideal for most hair types. And if greasy roots become an issue, try rinsing them with water instead of rubbing in extra shampoo.
6. Use Natural Shampoo and Conditioner
Shampoos containing sulphates and parabens can dry out your hair, making it more prone to breakage. Likewise, conditioners with silicones or mineral oil coat your hair, causing it to swell up. Your locks will look shinier, but they’ll also be weighed down by excess product.
Consider switching to a trichologist-recommended shampoo and conditioner: They won’t cause excess build-up, and you can use them daily if you have oily hair. Just don’t go overboard; your scalp doesn’t need to be showered with products every day. Try limiting yourself to no more than three times per week at most.
7. Invest in A Good Hairbrush and Conditioner
Your hairbrush is just as important to your style as your shampoo and conditioner. Invest in a good one! Here are some things to look for when choosing a hairbrush: Look for a soft bristle brush. There’s no need to brush aggressively; gently massage your scalp with long, gentle strokes.
Use natural boar bristles or nylon bristles, but steer clear of plastic and metal brushes that can snag your strands. Take care of your brushes by washing them regularly – try running warm water through them once a week. Boar bristle brushes should be replaced every year since over time they wear down and lose their effectiveness.
Many people find that conditioning their hair also helps keep it smooth and shiny, so investing in a quality conditioner is key to maintaining beautiful locks.
8. Don’t Over-Straighten Your Hair
Over-straightening your hair can cause it to weaken and break—never a good thing if you want long, luscious locks. Be gentle with your hair and use a flat iron that features ceramic or tourmaline plates. These types of materials are gentler on strands and don’t damage them as easily as metal plates. Also, look for products containing ingredients like argan oil; these nourish your hair naturally and make it less prone to split ends.
Conclusion
The above tips from a trichologist to help you along on your natural hair journey. Remember that every head of hair is different and it takes time for some people to see progress, but if you stick with it, your hair will be beautiful.
FAQs
1. How do I start natural hair?
You’ll want to use gentle, chemical-free shampoos for natural hair, as well as conditioners that are free of potentially harmful chemicals.
2. What should I do to care for my natural hair?
Use products that are free of harsh chemicals, as these can do more harm than good. Don’t forget about washing either; shampoo too often, or with shampoo that is too strong, and you may strip your tresses of vital oils.
3. How much does it cost to see a trichologist?
It’s hard to say without knowing your specific situation; we recommend calling around or booking an appointment online before going in person to talk about what issues you’re having and exactly what you want out of treatment.
4. Do I need to see a trichologist?
Not necessarily! If you’re looking for specific advice on how to care for your hair or solve problems as they arise, we highly recommend it.
5. How can I attain shiny hair?
Here’s how: Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, cut out processed foods, Drink at least 64 ounces of water daily, & Stay away from cigarette smoke
References
- https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-trichologist
- https://www.mhra.com.au/trichology/#:~:text=Trichologists%20are%20specialists%20trained%20to,Loss%20of%20hair
- https://www.houseofwellness.com.au/beauty/hair/hair-care-tips-for-soft-healthy-hair
- https://www.elle.com.au/beauty/why-isnt-my-hair-growing-20499
