Shampoo & Conditioner sometimes can do more Harm than Good

Hair is really very strong and does not pull out easily but it is possible with poor grooming to create a more unstable situation where hair thinning and breakage can be evident.

Although it is true that hair de-tangles much better if combed when wet try avoiding the use of fine tooth combs on wet hair as this is a common cause of hair splitting and breakage. Brushing wet hair can also cause weakening too if carried out too forcefully. The additional pressures on the shafts of hair when wet can cause problems. It is best to brush your hair before washing as this can stimulate the scalp and encourage blood flow to the follicles maintaining good health and healthy growth. Brushing will also remove dead flaking skin cells and make thorough cleansing of the scalp that much easier when shampooing.

Be aware that frequent shampooing is also likely to damage your hair. Whilst we all like to have clean shiny hair, you can have too much of a good thing and shampooing your hair too frequently can deprive it of certain minerals such as calcium, iron and phosphorus. If you must shampoo frequently then it is probably better to choose a shampoo containing only natural products. Look for a product containing keratin, this is a colourless natural protein which makes this outermost layer of the skin almost waterproof, and along with collagen and elastin, gives skin its strength it is also present in the cuticle cells at the base of the follicle. The cuticle cells form protective sheaths around the hair keeping it in good condition but they can be damaged by excessive washing, shampooing and artificial drying, restoring the keratin element can restore dry looking, brittle hair.

A lot of the shampoos you buy use alkaline ingredients to soften hair and increase hair volume by swelling the hair shafts. Conditioners also contain such ingredients to affect similar changes but try to find one with a well balanced acid/alkali ingredient a pH level of 5.5 is about right.

Other natural ingredients to look for are aloe vera, sage, nettle, burdock and chamomile.

Using perms and hair colours? Then you should be careful as some of the chemicals found in the ingredients can cause damage to the hair shafts and follicles and can be the cause of some hair loss.

Leave your hair untreated as much as is possible and you should never use a mix of chemical processes on your hair if you want to keep your hair as well as wanting to keeping it looking good for as long as possible.

Styling can cause problems too, pulling your hair too tight when using braids or even ponytails can cause your hair to be stressed and may even lead to thinning in the affected areas.

What to do for the best? A natural approach really if at all possible as leaving your hair in a loose style without over manipulation will lead to the best possible effect.

About the Author
Brian Potter is researching hair loss and hair loss products containing natural ingredients. For advice and recommendations visit his website http://www.hairlossassistant.com