If you've noticed issues with your hair such as dryness or frizz, you may be frustrated trying to tame it. Being aware of these everyday things that are ruining your hair will allow you to take back control of it.
Neglecting to clean your beauty tools puts grime into your hair.
You want to clean them as often as you can to ensure grime isn't recycled back into your hair. "A dirty straighter will have build-up of every product on your hair, plus residue of dead hair on it," celebrity hairstylist Michael Dueñas told INSIDER. From brushes to flat irons, give each one a wipe down.
In the same vein, overusing heated beauty products can cause damage.
Too much heat can also damage your hair.
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From curling irons to blow dryers, any heated beauty tools can create real hair damage. "The finer the hair, the lower the temperature," Mark Goodman, a hair care professional told WebMD. "For instance, a person with baby-fine hair should use the lowest possible setting." Be aware of your hair's texture and avoid using the highest heat setting whenever possible.
Over- or under-washing your hair isn't good for it.
Washing your hair every day probably isn't necessary.
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When deciding how often to wash your hair, it's all about the feel of it.
"Dry hair should be washed a maximum of two times a week using a shampoo with sulfate-free surfactants and high concentration of moisturizers (glycerine, sodium PCA) to help mitigate dehydration," Craig Taylor, creative director of HARI's salons, London told Marie Claire. At the same time, waiting too long to wash it can allow for a build-up of dirt, pollution, and product.
While it's tempting to delay getting a cut, it probably won't yield the results you're after.
When trying to grow out your hair out, it may seem like common sense to avoid cutting it. In reality, hair stylist Serge Normant told Allure that "The ends of long hair have usually been styled and colored so many times that they get dry and frizzy quickly." Go in for a small trim to ensure your hair continues to grow long and healthy.
Drying your hair with a towel agitates the cuticles in your hair.
As celebrity hairstylist Monae Everett told HuffPost, drying your hair with a towel allows the coarse texture to seriously hurt your hair. Use a T-shirt or microfiber towel instead to prevent hair damage.
According to Healthy Women, when your hair is wet it's more vulnerable to breakage. Using a brush or comb post-shower can end up hurting your hair.
Tying your hair up when it's wet is also a no go.
Tying your hair back when it's wet can lead to breakage.
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While you may not want to deal with your hair getting your clothing wet, tying wet hair up is a no go. "When you tie wet hair back, it stretches up to a third of its length," explains Tim Rogers, hairstylist and creative director of Living Proof told Marie Claire. "When you anchor the hair like that, it can cause tension breakage."
You shouldn't sleep with wet hair if it can be avoided.
It's just more work for you.
Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash
Ever wondered why you take longer to get ready in the morning after sleeping with wet hair? "It's not a good idea in the sense that it'll dry funny and be unruly and knotty when you wake up, causing more work for yourself in the morning," celebrity hairstylist John Ruggiero told Byrdie. The extra time taken to style it in the morning will then create additional damage.
Try to avoid using cotton sheets and pillowcases.
Silk sheets are a better idea.
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In comparison to silk, cotton pillowcases and sheets suck moisture out of your body." Silk pillowcases work wonders for all kinds of hair types and textures as they keep the cuticle layer of the hair intact," celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin told Well and Good. "With regular use, I've slept better, my hair is shinier, and it's less prone to breakage."
Spending too much time in the sun isn't good for your hair.
An important step if you want to take better care of your hair.
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While certain products may promise your hair the world, it's important to read up on what ingredients they contain. The number one thing to be wary of? Silicone.
"Silicone will weigh the hair down, making it limp, lifeless, and, with time, very dull. It prevents moisture from penetrating the hair shaft and becomes like a magnet for dirt and other ingredients. So in essence, we get a good shine for a couple of days, but over time it will attract more buildup on the hair." Shai Amiel, celebrity hairstylist and owner, CAPELLA Salon told Coveteur.
