Trichologist warned about the dangers of natural hair care in summer

Homemade masks, oils, lemon juice and other natural remedies can increase dryness, brittleness and irritation of the scalp in summer. On July 12, Yulia Gallyamova, a dermatologist, trichologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, told Izvestia about this.

"In summer, hair experiences several stress factors at once: ultraviolet radiation, high air temperature, wind, sea and chlorinated water. Therefore, even the usual home remedies may not work at all the way they do at other times of the year," the specialist explained.

Lightening of hair with lemon juice remains one of the most common summer care methods. According to Gallyamova, citric acid opens the cuticle of the hair and accelerates the leaching of pigment. If the juice gets on the scalp, it can also increase its sensitivity to ultraviolet light and increase the risk of irritation and phototoxic reaction.

As a result, instead of the effect of burnt strands, hair can become dry, dull and brittle. The specialist recommended using oils no less carefully. They can reduce moisture loss and make hair smoother, but they do not treat hair loss and do not affect the hair follicles.

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Do not apply oils before prolonged exposure to the sun, as a thick film can increase the thermal effect on the hair. According to the trichologist, it is better to use them in the evening or as part of washable masks before shampooing.

Homemade salt and soda scrubs can also be dangerous. Their crystals can mechanically injure the scalp, especially if it is already irritated by the sun. In addition, the alkaline environment of baking soda disrupts the natural slightly acidic balance of skin and hair, which leads to the opening of the cuticle, loss of moisture and increased brittleness. Alcoholic tinctures and homemade lotions, which are used to reduce the greasiness of the scalp, can also worsen the condition of the hair.

"But alcohol evaporates quickly, while increasing dehydration of the skin and hair. In hot conditions, this can lead to even greater dryness, a feeling of tightness of the scalp and deterioration of quality," the expert said.

Kefir and egg masks can temporarily soften hair due to the surface film. However, in summer, such mixtures dry out quickly and are poorly washed off, and the remnants of protein products can worsen the appearance of hair and interfere with the uniform application of other care products.

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Gallyamova stressed that natural remedies are not universal. Their effectiveness depends on the condition of the scalp, hair structure and individual characteristics of a person. Home care is also unable to solve medical problems, including active hair loss, itching, peeling, or severe brittleness.

According to the expert, summer care should be simple and aimed primarily at protecting the hair. To do this, it is necessary to clean the scalp as it gets dirty, use conditioners and moisturizing masks, protect the hair from prolonged sun exposure and avoid aggressive home recipes.

On April 5, trichologist and dermatovenerologist Eduard Bucharov dispelled the myth about the connection of shampoos with baldness. According to him, shampoo is not the cause of baldness. It may be unsuccessful in its composition for a particular person, it may provoke irritation, but the mechanism of pathological hair loss is associated with deeper processes.