Swelling effect: what to do when hair swells

It is the nightmare of almost all women. L’swelling effect (in English swelling means swelling, swelling), as well as being unsightly, almost always implies the presence of damage to the stems. In fact, it is no coincidence that it is the hair fragile, exhausted, rough to the touch e buckets the first to swell on particularly humid days or in environments with high humidity levels. These types of hair, which they present open scales, they absorb moisture more easily, but are not able to retain hydration and therefore to exploit its benefits. The consequence is that cosmetic treatments, if not carried out correctly, in addition to being in vain, can even exacerbate a situation that is not in itself splendid.

The most common mistake

Even the most careful and zealous people in taking care of their hair almost always make a mistake: focusing exclusively on dehydration and therefore exceed with the use of moisturizing references to solve the problem of swelling of the foliage. Paradoxically, a hair with open scales tends to swell if excessively hydrated. The same thing happens even to healthy hair if immersed in water for a long time. In fact, those who spend many hours soaking in a swimming pool or in the sea without a cap end up having to deal with an unnatural swelling effect. Although it is well known that hydration and nourishment are essential for obtaining healthy-looking hair, it is important to choose the right products and to have other precautions as well.

Pro tips

«Thinking of solving the problem of the so-called swelling effect by pressing the accelerator on hydration is wrong. Brittle, damaged and dry hair needs a pre-shampoo pack consisting of nourishing and conditioning oils. The pack provides a lipid film and therefore prevents the hair from absorbing too much water during washing. The shampoo must be chosen based on the type of hair and the conditioner is of fundamental importance, it must never be missing “, explains the doctor Antonella Parlangeli, surgeon specializing in dermatology and venereology, owner of a well-known dermatological and trichological center.

«Since heat is the enemy of the hair fiber, my advice is to keep the hair dryer, during the drying phase, at least 20 centimeters from the hair. The latter must be previously dabbed, never rubbed, to eliminate as much water as possible. It is important to use a small amount of light oil on dry hair that is non-greasy and acts as a “mantle”, thus reducing the penetration of external moisture on the one hand, delaying dehydration on the other. In the case of hair that gets fat easily, you can instead opt for a serum, with a lighter texture than oil. In all cases, remember not to use water that is too hot when we wash our hair, to always end the rinsing phase with cold water and the drying phase with a prolonged jet of cold air », concludes the expert.

Step by step

To stem theswelling effect, therefore, over hydration represents a boomerang that generates a vicious circle in which the losers are the hair. Pre-shampoo packs and conditioners are essential to keep the hair from swelling. Moisturizing masks are useful, but they must find their place within a well-structured routine. Their use must be well calibrated according to the type of hair. It is almost never necessary to use them with every wash.

Below is a selection of products and tools per counteract and prevent the swelling effect.