Written by Margaret Abrams, Dailymail.Com
13:10 January 10, 2024, updated 13:17 January 10, 2024
- Dr. Neela Nathan, a Harvard-trained dermatologist, shared a video giving her opinion.
- Skin cancer surgeon advises against air dryness and Brazilian pimples
- Dr. Neela promised that quitting these will lead to a healthy scalp and hair.
Have you ever wondered what is secretly damaging your hair?
Dr. Neela Nathan, a Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologist and Massachusetts-based skin cancer surgeon, shares her tips on everything from air-drying your hair to getting a Brazilian blowout. She shared a video about things she never does to her hair.
While some recommendations were expected, such as avoiding harsh treatments involving formaldehyde, other aspects came as a shock to skincare-obsessed fans.
“If you’ve followed my journey, you know that I’ve struggled with hair loss. Here are the things I never do to keep my scalp healthy and promote hair growth.” the expert told his 94,000 TikTok followers.
Dr. Neela shared two separate videos spotlighting six things you should never do if you want to keep your hair healthy and shiny to prevent it from falling out in clumps.
“I will never do hair training,” she announced. This is when you don’t wash your hair for a period of time to get your hair used to washing it only once a week and return it to its natural, healthy state.
“Not washing your hair for more than a week may be fine for your hair, but it’s terrible for your scalp. These product build-ups, dead skin cells, and oil can cause inflammation, thinning, and hair loss. “There is,” the dermatologist continued.
“Instead, limit shampoo to your roots to cleanse your scalp while keeping your tresses hydrated,” she wrote in the video.
Dr. Neela never uses olive oil on her hair or scalp, despite some beauty influencers touting it as an ingredient in their pantry. “Olive oil creates a breeding ground for dandruff and can affect hair growth,” advised Dr. Neela.
Experts also warned of Brazilian blowouts, a harsh professional straightening procedure that contains formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
“It can damage hair follicles and lead to scarring, which can cause permanent hair loss,” Dr. Neela warned.
Not everyone agreed with her professional advice. One person wrote, “The Brazilian Blowout was the best decision I’ve ever made,” and another agreed, “The Brazilian Blowout has made my hair look so much better.” The dermatologist replied, “If it works great for you, we’ll make sure it doesn’t contain formaldehyde, which can cause cancer.”
But some people struggle with expensive hair straightening surgeries that can cost $300 to $500, with one woman saying, “Yeah, I agree about the Brazilian blowout, but it’s making me lose so much hair.” It’s gone,” he said.
Dr. Neela’s advice to wash your hair more often was also controversial, with one person chiming in: “As someone with very long, relaxed hair, washing my hair frequently is a big no for me.”
In another video on the same topic, the dermatologist added three more things she would never do to her hair, including air-drying it.
“I never let my hair air dry. Air drying my hair can cause the hair shaft to swell and become prone to breakage,” the dermatologist explained.
Many commenters take issue with insufficient air drying, as most stylists claim that applying too much heat can cause damage.
“Lol, what? Air drying is more effective than using a hair dryer or heat. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid and it’s still fine,” one person replied.
“Can you tell me more about air-drying your hair?? I’ve never heard of this being bad,” a concerned commenter asked, to which Dr. Neela replied:
“Excess moisture causes the hair strands to expand, making them more delicate and prone to breakage.”
Another beauty enthusiast wrote, “Hair dryers were made for convenience and I don’t understand the air drying part.”
‘what? How should I dry my hair? That’s ridiculous,” a disgruntled commenter agreed.
“Strangely, I air dry my hair every time and my hair is so long and healthy,” another commented.
Dr. Neela continued, “I never wear very tight hairstyles.”
“Pulling your hair back can cause traction alopecia, which can lead to permanent and irreversible hair loss,” the dermatologist explained.
Dr. Neela also said she would never swim without a swim cap in a chlorinated pool because “chlorine can really strip the moisture out of your hair.”
So, if you want to revive your lackluster locks that have fallen out, Dr. Neela’s tips may come in handy.