These tips will save your hair
We would all like to have healthy, shiny hair. Instead, most of us have to deal with problems of all kinds. The good thing: Many can be fixed! From dandruff to split ends to hair loss: we'll give you some simple tips.
Bad Hair Day: the only option if it doesn't look the way we want it to on our head? It does not have to be! We will tell you the best tips for hair. And because it is often not only an optical problem, but sometimes medical or psychological reasons can be behind it, we also asked the Hamburg hair specialist Dr. Welf Prager for advice.
It's like being under a spell - whenever it matters, the hairstyle just won't fit! These five tips can now save your day:
1-Flat approach:
On some days the hair just doesn't want to be like us but hangs down limp and difficult to style. Now volume powder helps: It provides grip and conjures hold and stability in the roots. Application: Lift the top hair in sections, sprinkle some powder under each section, rub lightly with your fingers, and massage in gently. Extra tip: A curl spray provides more dynamics even in the lengths. Spray on, knead through - done!
2-Brittle and lackluster:
Dull and strawy we do not like our hair at all! This is how it quickly becomes silky: care sprays that are not washed out (leave-in treatments) smooth the roughened fibers so that the hair can shine again. Spray in the lengths, knead well and brush with gentle natural bristles. Also good: blow-dry over a large round brush - this gives extra shine. Extra tip: always blow-dry the hair from the roots towards the ends. Finish with cold blow-drying air.
3-Grey flashes through:
Time is too short for coloring? Don't worry, there are quick helpers for this case. Embroidery sprays, coloring pencils, color powder, or hair mascaras will quickly conceal gray roots or individual strands and last until the next wash. They are available for all hair colors from blond to black. Extra tip: Before the first application, practice on a piece of paper how the spray spreads. Only then spray evenly over the crown.
4-Discolored:
You have colored your hair yourself and are unhappy with the result? Hair peelings and anti-dandruff shampoos wash a little color out again. Harmonize your tint if you want it to be a shade darker. A silver shampoo saves blonde hair with a yellow tinge. Extra tip: Baking powder can also be helpful. Mix 1 sachet with warm water, apply to dry hair for 20 minutes, and wash out well.
5-Pony cut:
You just wanted to correct something and cut off too much? Now it's time to stay calm and see if there is anything left to be saved. Straighten smaller edges again. By the way: Dry cutting is easier than wet cutting. If the fringe remains crooked (and too short), use some hair gel to trim it from the forehead. If it is only shorter on one side than on the other, wear it sideways. Extra tip: Accessories like hair bands, clips or hoops can put the fringe back in style.
Causes for hair problems - an expert explains
Hair specialist Dr. Welf Prager reveals which causes can be the trigger for frequent hair problems. After all, it is not uncommon for our hair to signal to us when we are not taking care of it properly or when it is stressed by other influences, such as poor nutrition or stress.
"This alone shows that hair needs careful external and internal care, e.g. through proper nutrition, even stress management, in order to be healthy, powerful, shiny," says Dr. Prager.
If both are not in the optimal range - and then diseases or medications also put a strain on the hair - the hair suffers visibly, can get sick, even fall out. Here are the most important advice and tips for the most common hair problems.
My hair has split ends and is brittle
Possible causes for split and brittle hair can be aggressive shampoos, blow-drying too hot, or colorants. The latter in particular gets to the tips of the hair and leads to material fatigue of the keratin.
Hair specialist Dr. Prager advises not to use cheap combs with pressed seams, brushes with metal bristles. Natural bristles or horn combs would be better. Also, do not forget to dab wet hair dry. Then you can knead a few drops of high-quality argan, almond, jojoba oil into the tips of your hair.
Care masks are also good aids for the hair and can work wonders. Mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil with 2 tablespoons of honey and add to damp hair. Then let it work for 10 minutes, rinse it out.
Did you know that sleeping on silk pillows does not roughen your hair additionally? Also try natural foods for more beautiful hair.
My hair suddenly no longer shines
Thyroid gland problems or infections can often cause dull hair. Often this hair problem is also due to a lack of vitamin H (biotin), zinc, selenium or iron.
Dr. Prager is of the opinion that you can compensate a slight deficiency very well through diet. Therefore, eat a lot of nuts, oatmeal, dairy products (especially cheese), beef, seafood, fish, corn, pulses, pumpkin seeds, brown rice, red cabbage, asparagus, mushrooms.
In this way, you also prevent iron deficiency.
Fissy, thin hair - and the hairstyle does not hold
Thin hair can have many causes: e.g. an undersupply of proteins, vitamins, minerals, trace elements through unhealthy diets or diarrhea.
Thin hair can also often be a symptom of a thyroid gland disorder or infection.
The expert, therefore, advises having a doctor check-up if these problems last longer than six weeks. If he does not find anything, please go to a hair specialist (dermatologist) so that no permanent damage to the hair roots is caused.
Quick greasy hair and its causes
Hormone disorders, e.g. during menopause, can cause the sebaceous glands to produce too much fat. Drying out hair care can also be to blame for the greasy hairline.
Dr. Prager says that you should always go to the gynecologist with a hormone disorder. In addition, a mild anti-fat shampoo is recommended, which has few refatting components, but many detergent surfactants. Herbal extracts such as chamomile, horsetail, and yarrow also regulate fat formation.
Our tips for your hair: Brew 1 teaspoon of herb with 100 ml of water, leave to stand for 10 minutes, strain. Massage the cooled brew in a circular motion into the cleansed scalp, leave to work for 30 minutes. Dry in the air and apply three to four times a week.
Annoying dandruff and an itchy scalp
The scalp renews itself every four weeks, dead cells give way to new ones every day. If this process takes place too quickly, dandruff develops. Daily hair washing, blow-drying, tinting, and alcoholic styling products promote dry dandruff because the skin's own fats also dwindle. Especially during the menopause.
You should wash your hair only two to three times a week and let it air dry, says Dr. Prager. Also, use shampoos containing urea!
Also helpful: two to three times a week before going to bed, sprinkle a few drops of olive oil on the scalp, massage it in and wash it out in the morning.
Strained, strawy hair
While dry hair is supplied with too little fat from the sebaceous glands, stressed hair is damaged by external influences such as coloring (especially bleaching), perming, hot blow-drying, curlers, straightening irons, sun (also solarium), salt or chlorine water.
All this roughens the protective cuticle layer so much that moisture evaporates, the hair becomes brittle, porous, often like an electric charge.
Try to brush your hair gently and less often. Regular scalp massages also boost sebum production, according to the hair specialist. And because the hair is ten times more sensitive after washing than before, don't pull it when combing!
Use regular conditioners and intensive treatments with a mixture of proteins, moisturizing and fatty substances, and wash only with lukewarm water, finishing with cold water. This smoothes the hair surface.
Care for the hair without a lot of chemicals? This is what these natural hair treatments achieve. No matter whether your hair is split, damaged, or too greasy: Take a look at our picture gallery.
My hair is falling out
Only those who lose more than 100 hairs daily for several weeks should worry. In about 30 percent of women, hair thinning is caused by a congenital hair loss, which is usually inherited from the mother.
It is particularly noticeable after pregnancy or during menopause. Other frequent triggers can also be stress, the wrong pill, blood pressure reducers or iron deficiency
Dr. Prager is certain: the problem should be clarified by a dermatologist. He can track down the causes with a Trichogramma on the hair roots. The active ingredient Minoxidil, which is also a micro-needling of the scalp, is a convincing treatment for congenital hair loss.
The high-dose mineral silicon (silica) or orthomolecular medicine from the pharmacy can help. Relaxation exercises can also help with stress-related hair loss.
Try our anti-stress tips for relaxation.
You can also find more about hair care on our topic page. Are you looking for different hairstyle inspirations? Have a look at our page on this topic as well.