Leaving The House With Wet Hair May Be More Damaging Than We Thought
Wet hair can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it's a sign of cleanliness, freshness, and vitality. On the other hand, it can be a hassle to style, dry, and maintain, especially if you have long, thick, or curly hair. Whether you're getting ready for work, school, or a special occasion, wet hair can make or break your look. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, the state of wet hair can affect our appearance, comfort, and health. No matter what the reason is behind your wet hair, it might be more of a curse than a blessing.
To avoid any risks to your hair, it's essential to know how to care for wet hair and choose the right products and techniques for your hair type and texture. While the old tale states that you want to avoid leaving the house with wet hair to prevent getting sick, the real reason has to do more with your hair. Leaving the house with wet hair may not be the root cause behind your last cold, but it could be the reason why your hair is either not growing healthily, or is breaking.
Why wetness is breaking your hair
Leaving the house with wet hair may seem like a quick and convenient way to save time in the morning, but it can be harmful to your hair. When hair is wet, it's more vulnerable to damage and breakage than when it's dry. This is because the water weakens the hydrogen bonds that hold the hair's structure together, making it more prone to stretching and breaking. Additionally, wet hair is more likely to tangle and create knots, which can cause further damage when you try to brush or comb it. Along with the stretching and breaking, Mane Addicts adds that wet hair can end up producing split ends, Overall, your hair can experience breakage from the scalp to the ends when you decide to leave the house with it wet.
Besides affecting the ends and hair strands, leaving the house with wet hair can damage your scalp. When your hair is wet, the water can seep into your scalp and disrupt your natural pH balance. This can lead to irritation, inflammation, and even fungal or bacterial infections, especially if you have a sensitive scalp or a history of dandruff or psoriasis. Additionally, wet hair can trap dirt, bacteria, and sweat against your scalp, which can create a breeding ground for odor and acne. If you live in an environment known for pollution, your wet hair can trap environmental pollutants, damaging your scalp and hair strands.
How to quickly care for wet hair
One of the easiest ways to avoid breaking or damaging your hair is by avoiding leaving your house with only wet hair. Although many people find themselves in this situation because they don't have the time to style it, there are simple ways to care for your wet hair in a hurry. To protect your strands, you can always throw your hair into a braided hairstyle or bun to keep it away from the outside elements. Avoid putting on a head scarf or hat while your scalp is still wet as this will only create a humid environment, which will become a breeding ground for bacteria. You can also create a high ponytail with a scrunchie or fabric ponytail holder for some protection without the damage of a rubber band.
Just because you have wet hair doesn't mean you need to suffer hair damage. Team True Beauty recommends taking your towel or any microfiber towel and squeezing any excess water from your hair. While this may not completely dry your hair, it will be much easier for the remaining hair to dry than if your entire head is still damp. The last resort should always be using heated tools. Using a hair dryer can easily dry your hair in a hurry to avoid breakage, but be sure to use heat protectant spray before applying heat, and avoid placing heat in one area for too long.