Hair loss specialist warns towel drying mistakes ’cause damage to the hair cuticle’

Consultant dermatologist and founder of Dr. Ophelia Comsecutical Skin and hair care, Dr. Ophelia Veraitch, spoke with Express.co.uk about hair drying mistakes you might be making.

She wanted against these behaviours, which damage the hair and could increase the look of hair loss.

Mistakes that damage hair

Towel drying wet hair

Dr. Ophelia said: “The hair shaft is made of keratin. The outermost layer of the hair shaft is known as the cuticle and is made of overlapping keratin cells.

“The hair cuticle works as a protective layer, but if not looked after damage to the hair cuticle can make the hair look and feel dry and unhealthy.

“Towel drying wet can cause damage to the keratin cells in the hair cuticle.

“Therefore I do not advise towel drying wet hair pre-conditioning. In fact, this can lead to further damaging the hair.”

READ MORE: ‘Nearly as bad as smoking’: The popular food that quadruples the risk of dying from cancer

What causes hair loss?

Hairstyles and treatments

Wearing your hair in styles that pull at the roots, such as tight ponytails or braids, will cause hair loss.

Stress

Hair loss can be caused by stress, such as by physical or emotional shock.

Medication

Some medications cause hair loss as a side effect. Check with your doctor if this is the case.

The specialist also recommended hair loss supplements containing a certain vitamin. 

“For a targeting approach to addressing hair thinning and loss hair growth tonics contain ingredients which can help promote hair growth,” she said.

“For example, melatonin the sleep hormone isn’t just to regulate the circadian rhythms, but it is a great antioxidant synthesised in hair follicles.

“Melatonin has long been given to Cashmere goats to promote the yield of wool.”