(cover photo from charleneajose)
With the summer heat upon us, that can only mean one thing: it's time to up our haircare to combat the heat and damage from the sun (and because we can't escape it: our styling tools). We don't know about you, but we definitely don't want to spend our summer worrying about hair loss and dry, damaged hair. So we recently chatted with Mark Birch, the Consulting Trichologist for Svenson, and got him to answer some of our hair questions.
As one of the world's experts in hair and scalp care, there was no other man better to talk to than Mark Birch (fun fact: he has consulted for members of Royalty and celebrities). Here's what he had to say about haircare, scalp care, and his stand on dyeing one's hair.
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There’s a big debate about how often women should wash their hair. How many times a week is healthy, without damaging the hair?
Mark Birch: "Using a suitable shampoo, you should wash your hair at least once every day. Frequent washing will not damage the hair. Instead, using the wrong products is often the main cause."
How important is scalp health for hair growth and quality?
Mark Birch: "The scalp is the foundation for hair growth and quality, which makes it even more important than the hair itself. The hair's nutrients, blood circulation and oxygenation are all affected by the scalp. While existing hair will eventually fall out, it is the hair that will be immediately replacing the fallen hairs that should be the focus, and these are affected by the scalp condition."
What signs should one look for to determine the current state of their scalp and hair?
Mark Birch: "The scalp is the foundation for hair growth and quality, which makes it even more important than the hair itself. The hair's nutrients, blood circulation and oxygenation are all affected by the scalp. While existing hair will eventually fall out, it is the hair that will be immediately replacing the fallen hairs that should be the focus, and these are affected by the scalp condition."
What are good hair health habits to practice to prevent hair loss?
Mark Birch: "Shampoo hair every day using a suitable product suited for your scalp. Eating a sensible, balanced diet. Minimising use of hairdryers and other mechanical appliances. Follow a good hair care regime, i.e. using suitable hair products for specific hair and scalp type. Exercise and sleep regularly--in general, a good state of health. Tiredness leads to weaker hair in the same way that lack of rest will result in tired skin. Ensure there is enough oxygenation for your hair and build up Vitamin D through at least 2-3 hours exposure in the sun every week."
Are there any hairstyles in particular that women should stay away from to help reduce hair fall?
Mark Birch: "If you're suffering from hair loss, you should not be going for a perm or straightening your hair. Avoid using hairspray and other hair junk cosmetics. Always be gentle on the hair and keep the scalp healthy. There is not much difference between long or short hairstyles but rather it is important to maintain a clean scalp."
Is it advisable to dye one’s hair ever so often? How can women keep coloured hair healthy?
Mark Birch: "Dyeing the hair will not cause hair loss. It is common for most women in their thirties and older to dye their hair every 4 to 6 weeks. However, it is the harsh chemicals in the hair dye that lead to hair loss problems. Instead of doing DIY dyeing, visit a professional colourist. You can keep your coloured hair healthy by looking after the scalp and using good conditioner treatments. Coloured hair tends to be drier and weaker as bonds which hold the polypeptide chains in the hair are being broken down. To keep your hair healthy, prevent splitting and help the colour to last longer, use a good conditioner every day and perform regular treatment on your scalp."
Got other beauty questions for us? Leave your questions in the comment box below and we may just feature your question in a special ClozetteINSIDER article!
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