How to Prevent Hair Loss: Proper Washing and Drying Techniques

Why It’s Critical to Protect Your Hair Before It’s Too Late

This is advice worth repeating: It’s far more effective to prevent hair loss while you still have hair than to try to regrow it after it’s fallen out.

In fact, simply washing and drying your hair properly can significantly reduce hair fall and delay the onset of hair loss.
There aren’t any schools to teach proper hair care, but honestly, there should at least be a one-day class for this.

---

Key Points to Remember

Why You Need to Protect Your Hair While You Still Have It

1. The number of hair growth cycles per follicle is fixed at birth.
   Each hair follicle can only produce a certain number of hairs over a lifetime.
2. The lifespan of a single hair strand ranges from 2 to 8 years, depending on environmental factors.
   Proper care can maximize this lifespan.
3. Poor scalp care shortens hair lifespan.
   • Adequate nutrition is crucial for healthy hair growth.
   • However, if your scalp is left damp and becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, inflammation can occur, reducing hair strand longevity.
4. Support beneficial microbes on your scalp.
   • Rinse thoroughly to remove any surfactant residue from shampoo.
   • Keep your scalp dry and fresh to prevent harmful bacteria from thriving.
5. Don’t overdry your scalp.
   • Overusing hot air while drying your hair can make your scalp too dry, which is also harmful.
   • Use hair tonics or scalp moisturizers to maintain proper hydration.

---

1. How to Properly Wash Your Hair

Think of hair washing in two parts:
cleansing the scalp and washing the hair strands.

• The key goal is to remove the scalp’s oil film (sebum layer), not just rinse off dust from the hair.
  Leaving excess oil on your scalp can lead to:
  • Clogged follicles → Increased risk of hair loss
  • Itchy scalp
  • Dandruff
  • Scalp inflammation and odors

Steps for Effective Scalp Cleaning

1. Start by thoroughly wetting your scalp with warm water.
2. Lather shampoo in your hands or with a brush before applying it to your scalp—don’t apply it directly.
3. Gently massage your scalp using your fingertips (not your nails) to cleanse effectively.
4. Rinse thoroughly to ensure no shampoo residue remains.
   • Rinse for at least 1 minute, even if it feels like you’ve already rinsed enough.

Additional Tips

• Consider double shampooing every 2–3 days:
  • During the first wash, focus on removing most of the oil layer.
  • In the second wash, use a smaller amount of shampoo to deeply cleanse the scalp.
• Always ensure you rinse out all surfactants completely. Residual shampoo can irritate the scalp and lead to buildup.

---

2. How to Properly Dry Your Hair

Drying is as important as washing, especially for scalp health.

1. Squeeze out excess water from your hair with your hands after washing.
2. Use a towel to gently press and absorb water from both your scalp and hair.
   • If you have long hair, you might need two towels to avoid over-soaking one.
3. Focus on drying your scalp rather than your hair.
   • Use a combination of hot and cold air to prevent excessive heat damage.
   • Always finish with cold air to seal the scalp.

---

3. Why a Damp Scalp Causes Hair Loss

A moist and warm scalp creates the perfect environment for harmful bacteria to thrive.

• Beneficial microbes, like probiotics, grow better in slightly cooler environments.
• When harmful bacteria overpopulate, they cause inflammation in the scalp, which can damage hair follicles and lead to hair loss.

Hair supplements like biotin, brewer’s yeast, or fruit extracts are ineffective if your scalp environment isn’t healthy.
Once hair falls out, regrowing it isn’t guaranteed.

This is because the number of times a follicle can produce hair is pre-determined at birth. While the lifespan of each strand can vary based on care, follicles don’t regenerate endlessly.

---

4. Scalp Moisturization

While drying is essential, excessive use of hot air can dry out the scalp.
A dry scalp is like a desert—it’s difficult for anything to grow in such conditions.

To maintain a healthy environment for your hair:

• Use a good-quality hair tonic or scalp moisturizer to keep your scalp hydrated.