| There are some beliefs about hair treatment that | | | | dryers are safe for your hair if you use them |
| have been around for a long time and are not only | | | | properly. However, the best way to dry your hair is |
| false but are actually harmful to your hair. One of | | | | either to gently towel dry or just let it air dry. |
| these has to do with the old adage that you should | | | | Another myth concerns dandruff. Dandruff is not a |
| brush your hair one hundred strokes each night. If | | | | danger to your health. It is usually the result of a |
| Mom taught you this, she was wrong. Excessive | | | | very common skin problem known as seborrheic |
| brushing, and one hundred strokes is excessive, does | | | | dermatitis. It can also be due to another skin problem |
| nothing but pull your hair out. To maintain a healthy | | | | called psoriasis in which the growth of new skin cells |
| head of hair the number one rule is to treat it gently. | | | | is unusually rapid causing small bits of skin to flake |
| That means don't brush or comb roughly or | | | | off. The cause is not known. An environment where |
| excessively. | | | | the air is either very cold or very hot and dry will also |
| There is also some inaccurate information about | | | | cause the scalp to be more vulnerable to flaking and |
| shampooing floating around. One myth is that you | | | | itching. While dandruff does not affect the health of |
| have to shampoo twice to get hair squeaky clean. Of | | | | your scalp or your hair, it is a condition that generally |
| course, we do want our hair clean but, unless your | | | | lasts for a long time and requires on going treatment. |
| hair is very dirty, one application of shampoo is | | | | There are many anti-dandruff shampoos available. |
| sufficient. And your hair will not be any cleaner if you | | | | The most effective ones have active ingredients that |
| shampoo it in hot water. Instead use warm water to | | | | include tar, sulfur, selenium and salicylic acid. When |
| shampoo and cool water to rinse. | | | | you take your daily shower, wet your hair and apply |
| But it does matter what kind of shampoo you use. | | | | the shampoo. Rub it in well, covering all parts of your |
| While it is tempting to choose whatever brand is on | | | | scalp. Wait at least two minutes before rinsing. Rinse |
| sale at your local grocery store, some shampoos are | | | | with lukewarm water. People with dandruff do need |
| too harsh for your hair. Use a mild shampoo and | | | | to be careful about using hot dryers and electric |
| choose one that is formulated for your hair type. If | | | | curlers, as they tend to cause your scalp to dry out. |
| you dye your hair, it is especially important to choose | | | | If the shampoo does not work then you will need |
| a gentle shampoo for color treated hair. And while | | | | professional help. Your doctor can prescribe various |
| you may have also read that hair dryers will damage | | | | preparations that will relieve the symptoms. |
| your hair, this is not so. Either hand held or hood | | | | |