IF you struggle with a greasy mane, chances are you’ve had people advising you to ‘train’ your hair.
The idea of ‘hair training’ involves washing your tresses less frequently to supposedly teach your scalp to produce less oil.
Another common myth is skipping the hair dryer and letting out wet tresses dry naturally – but is it beneficial?Credit: Getty
But while some beauty buffs swear by this method, does it really work?
Although this approach, in theory, sounds logical, according to one hair transformation specialist, Jen Ronzitti, it’s a myth.
Busting this old wives’ tale and four other myths, Jen explained why you should steer clear of this viral .
”Washing less does not “train” your scalp to produce less oil. Dirt, oil, build-up and can clog hair follicles can cause , itchiness and even unwanted hair loss,” she told her 14.8k followers in a now-viral video.
”If your hair is dirty, wash it. A good rule of thumb is anywhere between two to three times a week. Depending on your scalp type and activity level, you may need more or less often.”
According to the expert, who claims to have helped ”over 3,600 customers”, there are also some mistakes many of us make in the .
When using shampoo, the guru advised to avoid applying the haircare must-have to your ends, especially if they’re dry and damaged.
”Shampoo is made for the scalp. Running it though your already fragile, dry ends can make it worse and more dry. The soapy runoff is enough to refresh your ends,” Jen wrote in the caption of the clip .
What about using ? This free hack – though harsh in winter – is believed to add shine, as cold water helps seal the hair’s outer layer which reflects light.
In turn, this can result in a smoother and glossier appearance, even reducing frizz.
However, despite thousands raving over the chilly tip, Jen revealed that cold water won’t give your scalp a proper cleanse.
”It can make your hair feel shinier short term, but it doesn’t properly lift dirt and oils from the scalp. You need warm water to cleanse effectively,” she went on.
Another common myth the majority of us have grown up with is skipping the hair dryer and letting out wet tresses dry naturally.
But according to the expert, while it may sound less damaging, this popular myth can be harmful – and it’s best to be avoided if you’re on a journey to become a .
Jen warned that ”when hair stays wet for hours, it stays in its weakest, most fragile state potentially leading to breakage, tangles a flaky or itchy scalp, irritation. Blow dry on low heat to prevent damage”.
4 reasons your hair is thinning
From fixing it to faking it, your guide to healthier, thicker hair from Trichologist Anabel Kingsley.
“Hair thins naturally as we get older because like our skin and muscles, the hair ages and changes,” Anabel Kingsley, trichologist at Philip Kinglsey explains. It can also be because of genetics, made worse by other health factors like menopause or thyroid disorders.
“Hair follicles very gradually shrink and produce finer and shorter strands with each passing hair growth cycle,” she adds. But while we can’t help things like genetics or the ageing process, we can do something about some of the other causes of hair thinning.
Here are four, fixable ones you need to know about.
1. Your hormones are raging
“Leading up to and during your period, the scalp may become oilier, which may trigger flaking and itching if you are predisposed to dandruff – and leaving an irritated scalp untreated can lead to hair loss,” says Anabel.
Loss of hair post-pregnancy is very common too; “After giving birth or stopping breast-feeding, oestrogen levels drop and return to normal,” Anabel explains.
“This can cause all the hairs retained during pregnancy to shed at once (usually six-12 weeks later), known as postpartum hair loss.”
Don’t panic, this is only temporary, but experts recommend you start taking daily hair supplements to support the hair’s growth.
2. Your hair can’t take the heat
“Heat drains moisture from within the hair shaft and because our hair’s elasticity and strength is largely reliant on its water content, hair can become dry, brittle and prone to breakage,” Anabel explains.
To prevent damage in the future, Anabel advises using a low setting on your heat styler, straightening only once a week and switching off your blow-dryer when your hair is just dry, as “using heat on completely dry hair will evaporate water from the hair shaft”.
3. You’re stressed
“Hair is non-essential to physical survival so it will always be the first part of you to suffer when something is off-kilter,” Anabel says.
Stress affects the scalp which can have a negative impact on the eventual health and growth of the hair. “Stress spikes cortisol levels which in turn increases oil production,” adds Anabel. “Cortisol, a stress hormone, disrupts the skin’s barrier function and triggers skin irritation which is why your scalp gets itchy and flaky when you are going through a stressful period.”
4. You’re eating the wrong food
“Diet is incredibly important to hair health,” says Anabel. “Being a non-essential tissue, hair is the last part of us to benefit from nutrients we ingest and the first to be withheld from them.”
Avoid mercury-rich fish like tuna and also full-fat dairy like cheese if you suffer from dandruff. “This can trigger flaking and itching which can then lead to hair thinning,” she says.
Last but certainly not least, the TikToker also addressed whether you’re better off using a wide tooth comb for tackling knots.
Jen, who posts under the username @ jenronfi t , said: ”Combs have less give and can cause hair breakage trying to get knots out. A more gentle, detangling brush has flexible bristles that gently work tangles loose.”
Uploaded just one day ago, the video has already taken the internet by storm, racking up close to a whopping 3million views.
Many beauty buffs flocked to comments, where plenty of viewers sought advice for their hair concerns.
One person said: ”I feel like no matter how hard I scrub I’ve tried different shampoos for dandruff but everyone I wash them my hair dries I still have dead flakes? And it just gets worse over a couple days.”
Offering a helping hand, Jen replied: ”Your scalp may be irritated or it could even be your water. Have you tried a water filter on your shower head?
”Most of my clients that have the same issues love the clinical shampoo & scalp scrub and say it’s been amazing at helping their dandruff and scalp issues.”
”I haven’t blow dried my hair in years, shampoo my scalp and ends, wash twice and my hair is healthy. Perfectly fine,” another chimed in.
”Good thing I wash my hair with hot water and do a finishing rinse with cold water,” a TikToker commented.
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