Hair Care

The Surprising Reasons You're Having a Bad Hair Day

Alright, we're going to give you the goods up front: Your hair problems are most likely caused by issues with your scalp. Here's the info -- and quick fixes -- you need

by Dawn Davis

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You're Letting Product Build Up When you use root-lifting spray, volumizing products, or even regular old hairspray, odds are you're getting some of it on your scalp. And it's probably sitting there -- clogging your pores -- for longer than you think. Dry shampoo is another product buildup offender. "It's become so popular -- people are using dry shampoo every single day," says New York City salon owner Roy Teeluck. "And then they wonder why their hair isn't growing. It's because their scalp is completely blocked."

Unfortunately, shampooing might not be enough to get rid of the product buildup. Because most shampoos are designed to leave some of the natural oils in your hair, they also leave behind some of the product. Teeluck suggests a monthly deep clean with a clarifying shampoo (try Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo, $5.99) followed by a scalp treatment to put the moisture back in. He created a skin care-like product called Roy Teeluck Concentre de Collagene, $55, with peptides and botanicals that can be used at home or in his salon.

Fusco says you can also do a weekly treatment with your regular conditioner: "Apply the conditioner to your hair and scalp, wrap your head in a warm towel, and let it soak in for as long as you can." Then rinse and style as usual.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Your Hair Dye is Getting on Your Scalp

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Older comments

Excellent information; all of these factors play a role in how your hair looks and feels!

by GigiSD Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 11:40AM Report as inappropriate

more info please

by sdavi60 Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 03:32PM Report as inappropriate

Helpful information

by Candice11 Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 01:43AM Report as inappropriate

great info!

by butterfly11 Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 10:24PM Report as inappropriate

I like the conditioner trick!

by ReannaLynn Friday, March 8, 2013 at 10:42AM Report as inappropriate

Nice information

by EricaC123 Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 12:11PM Report as inappropriate

this helps a lot

by aishak55 Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 02:58PM Report as inappropriate

I use a good scalp massage with co-washing for my curly hair to maintain shine and moisture. I deep cleanse with a tea tree shampoo as needed.

by ReflxnsOfGrace Monday, November 26, 2012 at 05:44PM Report as inappropriate

I try to only straighten and curl my hair once a month and blow once a week. It is really hard but my hair doesn't break nearly as much as it used to when I used to straighten it alot.

by Lamexicana1 Monday, November 19, 2012 at 08:34PM Report as inappropriate

If you have a very itchy and flaking scalp, it could be sebhorreic dermatitis, not dandruff. This means your scalp is oily, not dry. Try a shampoo like Neutrogena TSal and see if it helps. Leave it on your scalp for 3-5 minutes before rinsing for belt results.

by Leti10 Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 01:55PM Report as inappropriate