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Are you tired of looking in the mirror only to see damaged, flat or frizzy hair? Then you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll uncover the most common mistakes that may be causing damage to your precious strands. From neglecting proper care to using too much heat, we’ll delve into the crucial do’s and dont’s to help you revive and maintain your hair’s natural beauty.
Say goodbye to frizz, breakage, and dullness, and say hello to vibrant, strong, and resilient hair. Let’s dive in and discover the secrets to avoiding hair damage once and for all.
Using Too Much Heat
We all know that using too much heat can be damaging to the scalp and hair. One simple solution to avoiding heat damage is to turn down the heat settings on your blow dryer and straighteners. Keep the blow dryer on a medium to low heat and hold it six to eight inches away from your hair while making sure to constantly move it around while blow drying. It’ll take longer to do your hair, but it’s gentler on your strands and well worth the time investment in the end.
Also, make sure to apply a heat protectant hair serum after cleansing your hair and then gently dry it with a microfiber towel, making sure to gently press onto the hair to absorb moisture. Thereafter, you can blow dry the hair following the tips provided above.
Towel-drying your hair first will get it halfway dry, so you only need to finish it off with a hair dryer. Meanwhile, applying a heat protectant beforehand will help protect the hair shaft, which is important to keep your hair looking healthy. The hair shaft is vital to protecting the outer layer of your hair called the cuticle, which helps your hair retain moisture, nutrients, and keratin, thus preventing your hair from looking dry and dull.
Using the Wrong Hair Ties
Old-school hair ties like rubber bands or those hair ties that come with a metal ring are a no-no. In fact, anything that catches onto your hair and rips it out can be extremely damaging to hair and lead to significant hair loss over time.
For best results, keep hair ties to a minimum if you need them for certain hairstyles, and be super careful when taking them out of your hair. For everyday use, opt for a scrunchie or InvisiBobble, which is basically shaped like an old phone cord and is designed not to crease your hair.
Never Using a Hair Mask
Ideally, everyone should be using a hair mask every once in a while, especially as you get older. It’s part of basic hair maintenance and can help prevent damage to the hair and keep it in pristine condition.
If you have healthy hair, you only need to use a hair mask once a month to counteract things like being in the sun for too long or applying too much heat to your hair. If you have damaged hair, it’s best to use a hair mask at least once a week or even more. If your hair is in the middle, you can use a hair mask once every two or three weeks.
Under/Over Washing the Hair
Hair care is very personalized, so this depends on your skin, scalp, and hair. Some people wash their hair once or twice a day, while others only wash it once or twice per week. It all depends on your hair texture.
For instance, people with flat hair can benefit from washing their hair at least once or twice a day to add volume to their hair and give it extra height. People with curly or more textured hair, on the other hand, are best served washing their hair twice per week.
Individuals with acne may also benefit from washing their hair frequently, as failure to do so can leave hair products on your pillowcase and cause acne flare-ups. People with oily scalps might also need to wash their hair daily as that grease and oil can build up quickly.
Using Harsh Products
Ingredients like highly allergenic preservatives and fragrances in shampoos and conditioners are not only harmful to your hair, but they can trickle down to your face and body and potentially cause issues in those areas, too.
That’s why it’s recommended to look for products that are fragrance-free, pH balanced, and have only a few gentle ingredients. These products will get the job done by removing debris, dirt, and hair care build-up while not over-irritating the scalp or hair.
Tight Hairstyles
Tight hairstyles such as ponytails, braids, and anything that pulls the hair up from the shaft can lead to scarring and irreversible hair loss over time. That’s because these hairstyles can cause a lot of friction between the ends, causing breakage and even a receding hairline. After some time, the hairline may permanently move back purely from the traction and tension on the hair shaft, leading to even more hair loss.
What’s more, tight hairstyles can also cause changes in the hair follicle and permanently damages the scalp as well. A great alternative would be to wear your hair in a French Twist with a claw clip and opt for loose hairstyles.
Not Following the Right Regimen for Your Hair Type
Do you know your hair type? Are you using the right products for your hair? Are your shampoo and conditioner formulated for your hair type? These are all questions you need to ask to prevent hair damage and solve your hair problems.
The wrong regiment for your hair type can leave it frizzy, dry, or damaged. So before you jump on the latest hair trend, you might want to first identify your hair type, whether straight, wavy, curly, or coily. Once you have this information, choose hair care products specifically formulated for your hair type. For instance, people with straight hair might benefit from lightweight, volumizing shampoos and conditioners, while individuals with curly or coily hair might require moisture-rich products to combat frizz and enhance their definition.
Here’s to Strong and Gorgeous Locks
Well, there you have it! Now that you know which hair care mistakes to avoid, remember to be gentle with your hair, look for soothing ingredients, and prioritize regular maintenance. With a little extra care and attention, you’ll have stunning, resilient locks that turn heads wherever you go. Your crowning glory deserves the best, so give it the care it needs and watch it thrive!
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