We do so much to our hair every single day. We wash, dry, style, and use every kind of product and heat tool that’s out there. We want our hair to look good in the heat, humidity, rain, wind, and every other weather condition, but are the lengths we go to hurting our hair more than helping it?
Your hair is a delicate protein fiber that needs the right balance of hydration and protection. Everything we do to get our hair to look the way we want can strip it of the moisture it needs. Your hair health is important to your hair’s appearance. If you want to have as many great hair days as possible, it’s important to understand how you might be damaging your hair so you can alter your hair care routine.
High heat
While pretty much everyone uses some kind of heat styling, it is damaging to your hair. We love our styling tools, but you need to watch out how much heat you are exposing your strands to.
Blow drying
Letting your hair air dry takes forever. You don’t always have time to let your hair naturally dry. If you normally blow dry your hair on high heat at full blast, try toning it down a bit. Switch to medium heat. Put it on the middle blast setting. Check your calendar and see if there are any nights you can let your hair air dry and be sure to gently blot as much excess water out of your hair as possible before you begin drying.
Heated styling tools
Flat irons. Curling irons. Straighteners. All of these heat-using styling tools will give you a great-looking result, but they are also frying your ends and stripping your hair of moisture. It’s important to use a protective spray like Bondi Boost Heat Protectant Spray to shield your hair from the damaging effect of direct heat. Bondi Boost also offers the added bonus of repairing the damage you’ve already done.
Using the wrong brush for your hair type
Have you ever been in the hair aisle and wondered why there are so many brushes and combs? It’s because you need to have the right one for your hair type.
- Fine hair needs a round brush
- Oily hair needs a boar bristle brush
- Thick hair needs a nylon brush
Using the wrong brush type can damage and break your hair, hurt your scalp, or wreak havoc with your curls. When shopping for a brush, take the time to read the labels. You can also consult this handy guide to ensure you are armed with the right tools for the hair you have and the style you want.
Too much brushing
Speaking of brushing, that whole “100 strokes a night” thing is false. Extreme brushing can lead to split ends and breakage. The more you brush the more friction you can cause.
Even if you are using the right brush or comb, it’s possible to overdo it. Detangle your hair, get it ready to style, and leave it alone.
Put down the shampoo
You may think that washing every day is great for your hair. But it’s not. Your scalp produces oils that your hair needs to stay healthy. Over-washing strips your scalp and hair of those natural oils.
Even the best, most expensive, natural shampoo can dry your scalp out if overused. Yes, shampoo has come a long way. As with anything, though, too much is not a good thing.
Know your scalp and know your hair. You might need to only shampoo twice a week. Experiment and see how your hair looks after skipping shampoo days and adjust as necessary.
Chemical treatments
Coloring, bleaching, perming. Anything that adds chemicals to your hair can change its makeup, and lead to dry, brittle, damaged hair if done too often. Every time you apply chemicals to your hair you are changing and damaging its structure.
Even semi-permanent hair color can damage the inner structure of your hair and dry it out. Allow your hair some healing time between treatments.
Overdoing your favorite ‘do
Of course, throwing your hair in a ponytail is the easiest thing to do. But securing your hair in the same spot, in the same manner, can cause damage. If you wear your hair in too tight of a ponytail or wear your favorite side braid too tightly regularly, you are going to cause breakage.
Tying your hair up while it’s still wet will make it even more prone to damage. Your hair follicles and strands are more sensitive and fragile while wet. Wait until your hair is dry before bind it in hair ties or clips and try a softer, looser hold. It’s kinder to your hair and looks more stylish. You can also try changing your part and the placement of the ponytail.
With these tips on how to avoid damaging hair, you can work towards healthy locks. We are all guilty of these hair mistakes. With a few subtle changes to your routine, you can see your hair become healthier and more vibrant.
Make the most of what your mane could look like in the future. Knowing what you are currently doing to cause damage now is the first step. Now that you know, you can start to repair your hair. Say see you later to broken hair and hello to your future gorgeous locks.
BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring.
Editors' Recommendations
- 4 handy tips to choose the best primer for your skin
- Ingrown toenail? Here’s how to treat it
- 10 fun fall nail trends you should try right now
- The 7 best (and worst) foods for your skin
- Is leave-in conditioner right for your hair type?
