Year: 2024

Hair loss is a common concern for both men and women, and while genetics and health conditions play a role, your daily hair care habits could be making things worse. Many people unknowingly damage their hair through improper care, leading to excessive hair fall, thinning, and breakage. If you’re experiencing hair loss, it’s time to take a closer look at your routine. Here are the most common hair care mistakes that might be costing you your precious strands and how to fix them.

1. Overwashing or Underwashing Your Hair
Washing your hair too frequently can strip it of natural oils, leading to dryness, brittleness, and breakage. On the other hand, not washing enough can lead to a buildup of oil, dirt, and product residue, clogging hair follicles and weakening roots.

Fix: Find a balance based on your hair type. If you have oily hair, washing every other day is ideal. If you have dry or curly hair, washing 2-3 times a week can help maintain natural moisture.

2. Using Hot Water for Hair Wash
Hot showers feel amazing, but they are not your hair’s best friend. Hot water opens up the hair cuticles, making hair more prone to damage, frizz, and breakage.

Fix: Wash your hair with lukewarm or cool water to help seal the cuticle and retain moisture. A cool rinse at the end can boost shine and reduce frizz.

3. Using the Wrong Shampoo & Conditioner
Not all shampoos and conditioners are created equal. Many contain harsh sulfates, parabens, and alcohol that strip moisture and weaken hair.

Fix: Choose sulfate-free, mild shampoos that suit your hair type. For dry hair, opt for hydrating formulas, while those with oily hair should go for clarifying shampoos. Conditioner is a must to prevent dryness and breakage, but avoid applying it to the scalp—focus on the mid-lengths and ends.

4. Rough Towel-Drying
Vigorously rubbing wet hair with a towel causes friction, leading to frizz and breakage. Wet hair is more vulnerable, and rough handling can result in excessive hair fall.

Fix: Instead of rubbing, gently squeeze out excess water and use a microfiber towel or a cotton T-shirt to blot and wrap your hair.

5. Excessive Heat Styling
Frequent use of heat styling tools like blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons weakens hair proteins and leads to breakage over time.

Fix: Minimize heat styling and always use a heat protectant before applying heat. When possible, let your hair air-dry or use the lowest heat setting on your tools.

6. Tight Hairstyles That Pull on Your Scalp
Constantly wearing tight ponytails, buns, or braids puts stress on your hair follicles, leading to traction alopecia—a condition where hair falls out due to prolonged tension.

Fix: Give your hair a break by opting for looser hairstyles and switching up your hairdo regularly. Silk scrunchies and claw clips are gentler alternatives to elastic bands.

7. Brushing Wet Hair Aggressively
Wet hair is more prone to breakage, and using the wrong brush or pulling too hard can cause unnecessary hair loss.

Fix: Use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush to gently work through knots, starting from the ends and gradually working your way up.

8. Ignoring Your Scalp Health
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Neglecting scalp care can lead to dandruff, clogged follicles, and excessive hair fall.

Fix: Exfoliate your scalp once a week using a gentle scalp scrub or massaging with oil to improve circulation. Keep your scalp clean and moisturized to promote hair growth.

9. Using Too Many Hair Products
Overloading your hair with gels, sprays, serums, and mousses can lead to product buildup, weighing down your hair and clogging follicles.

Fix: Keep it simple. Use only essential products and clarify your hair with a gentle detox shampoo once a week to remove buildup.

10. Skipping Regular Trims
Avoiding haircuts in an effort to grow longer hair can actually do more harm than good. Split ends travel up the hair shaft, causing more breakage.

Fix: Trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to keep split ends in check and maintain healthy growth.

11. Poor Diet & Hydration
What you eat directly impacts your hair health. A diet lacking in essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and iron can lead to hair thinning and loss.

Fix: Eat a balanced diet rich in protein (eggs, fish, beans), vitamins (biotin, vitamin D), and minerals (iron, zinc). Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to maintain scalp and hair health.

12. High Stress Levels
Chronic stress triggers hair shedding by pushing more follicles into the resting phase (telogen effluvium).

Fix: Practice stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, or regular exercise to keep stress-related hair loss in check.

Final Thoughts
Your hair care routine plays a huge role in maintaining strong, healthy hair. By avoiding these common mistakes and adopting better habits, you can prevent unnecessary hair loss and keep your locks looking their best.

A crack in your bone due to trauma or stress can lead to a fracture. People diagnosed with osteoporosis and bone cancer are also at an increased risk of developing fractures. Depending on the severity of the trauma, a fracture could be closed (the bone cracks but doesn’t break through your skin) or comminuted (the bone breaks into multiple pieces). If you suspect a fracture, get to the nearest orthopedic hospital in Navi Mumbai for the best care.

Common Causes of Fractures
i) Accidents and falls:
Healthy bones are strong enough to withstand pressure effortlessly. However, if you experience a serious fall or an accident that puts a great deal of force on your bones, they might break.

ii) Sports injuries:
Sports that require a lot of twisting and turning can cause fractures. People involved in sports can develop spiral, transverse, comminuted, hairline, and stress fractures.

iii) Osteoporosis and bone weakening conditions:
With age, your bone density and resilience decrease significantly, making you more prone to sustaining a fracture even with low-impact trauma.

Signs and Symptoms of a Fracture
a) Pain and tenderness:
Intense pain on the injured site is the hallmark symptom of a fracture. It’s your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right and requires medical attention. People with fractures might feel pain when touching the site, moving it, or putting weight on it. It may not get better with rest.

b) Swelling and bruising:
The tissue damage can cause swelling, which won’t go down. You might also notice bruising (your skin turning blue, purple, or yellow) that indicates bleeding under your skin.

c) Deformity or abnormal appearance:
Fractured bone appears deformed, as the bone breaks and causes a significant misalignment. In some cases, the bone may pierce through the skin, which makes its deformity pretty obvious.

d) Inability to move or bear weight:
Bone fractures are extremely painful. The pain, combined with swelling and nerve damage, can restrict your movement. You won’t be able to lift weights or perform any physical activity until the bone gets back in shape.

Types of Fractures
Fractures are classified into different types based on the severity of the wound.

1) Simple vs. compound fractures:
In simple fractures, your bones crack but do not penetrate the skin. So, there’s no visible open wound. Compound fracture does penetrate the skin and requires immediate medical care.

2) Stress fractures:
It refers to a small crack in your bones caused by repetitive movements or overuse of your bones.

3) Greenstick and comminuted fractures:
Greenstick fractures are more likely to occur in children, as they have soft, flexible bones. The bone bends and cracks slightly without breaking completely. Comminuted fractures are more severe and are often caused by a serious fall or an accident. In this, the bone breaks into multiple pieces. You must see a fracture treatment doctor in Navi Mumbai if there’s a noticeable deformity combined with excruciating pain and a severe misalignment of the bones after an injury. Medical treatment is specifically required if the pain persists and you experience restricted movements.