Our hair can become tangled, brittle and faded if we don’t look after it. It may even become prematurely gray or start to fall out if we don’t nurture it.
But just what are the harmful habits that damage our hair the most? This post lists the 10 most damaging habits that will give you a permanent bad hair day (and what you should do instead to actually look after your hair).
Bleaching it
Those with dark hair that want to go blonde find that bleaching is the easiest method to get the color out. However, bleaching your hair also strips it of all its natural oils and moisture – leaving it dry and brittle.
Want to go blonde without bleaching? Consider settling for highlights instead or wear a wig. The same applies for exploring other colors that may traditionally require bleaching.
Using hair straighteners
Hair straighteners heat your hair up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. As you can possibly imagine, this causes a lot of damage to your hair.
Use hair straighteners sparingly to prevent hair damage, and instead try to embrace your hair type with the right products. The same goes for using heated rollers to create curls.
Blow-drying your hair
Blow-drying your hair also exposes it to heat, which can cause the cuticles to become dry and weak. This can lead to faded and frizzy hair.
The healthiest way to let hair dry is to let it air dry naturally. If you don’t have the time for this, look for a hair dryer that has a cool setting – this may not dry your hair as quickly, but it will be quicker than air drying it, and you won’t cause as much damage.
Getting a perm
Introducing long-lasting curls to non-curly hair typically requires heating it up or adding chemicals – neither of which are healthy for your hair.
To prevent a perm causing permanent damage to your hair, you may be able to perm it while heavily moisturized. However, it’s often safer to avoid perms altogether. Just as those with curls should learn to embrace their curls, those with straight hair should learn to embrace their straight hair. Or wear a wig!
Dyeing your hair
Most dyes will cause damage to the cuticle of your hair. Permanent hair dyes will typically cause the most damage over time.
How can you avoid this damage? Stick to semi-permanent dyes with a low amount of ammonia. These dyes may not be as strong, but will also stop your hair becoming dry and brittle. Remember that wigs are also an option.
Shampooing it too frequently
Using shampoo will get rid of excess dirt and oils from your head, but most of us don’t need to use it daily. Using it daily can strip away necessary oils that keep your hair hydrated and shiny. So it’s better to stick to it every two days – unless you have very oily hair.
Those with curly or Afro hair may be better off using shampoo every three days. Make sure to use the right shampoo for the right effect – volumizing shampoos are better for those with straight hair, while hydrating shampoos are healthier for curly hair types.
Putting your hair into a tight ponytail/braids
Tight ponytails and braids pull hair at the root. In the long run, this can actually cause root damage and lead to hair loss.
There may be times when you have to wear your hair up such as at work or while exercising, but during other times you should try to let your hair down to take the pressure off your scalp. Less tight ponytails and braids can also reduce damage. Never leave hair tied up for too long as this will promote tangling.
Swimming without a swimming cap
Exposure to chlorine in swimming pools can also leave your hair dry and brittle. This is because chlorine acts like bleach and strips away the natural oils.
Protect your hair by always going swimming with a swimming cap. Make sure that all your hair is contained beneath the cap.
Crash dieting
Some people experience brittle hair and even hair loss after going on a crash diet. Why is this? The simple reason is that many crash diets involve not just cutting calories but also many nutrients that are vital for our hair. This includes protein, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C.
Taking supplements or using nourishing shampoos while crash dieting could help to give your hair the nutrients it needs. However, it is also important to consider what diets you are engaging in, and whether they are healthy for your entire body.
Smoking
Finally, it’s worth noting that smoking can damage your hair too. Smoking restricts blood flow to the skin, which can mean that hair follicles are often starved of oxygen and nutrients. This can lead to dry and brittle hair in the long run.
While using nourishing hair products may be able to counterbalance this to some extent, the most effective solution for saving your hair is to quit smoking. This could lead to healthier skin as well as healthier hair.
How can I revive my hair?
If your hair is already damaged from some of these habits, you can still revive it. Besides breaking these bad habits, it could be worth adopting a few good habits to help your hair thrive.
Use the right conditioner
Conditioner is designed to help keep hair soft and shiny. But different types of hair can benefit from different types of conditioner. If you have thin straight hair, you may find that a volumizing conditioner is the best option. If you have thick curly hair, a moisturizing conditioner is likely to be a better option. Protein conditioner can be particularly good at reviving dry brittle hair.
Try a hair mask
A hair mask involves adding a thick conditioner to your hair and letting it set for a few minutes. Hair masks are designed to provide your hair with a boost of nutrients – making them ideal for reviving damaged hair. Guides such as this one can instruct how often to use hair mask treatments.
Take a break from heat and products
As already mentioned, heat destroys hair. On top of hot hair dryer settings and hot iron straighteners/curlers, you may want to try taking cooler showers while your hair regenerates. Beyond conditioners, you should meanwhile avoid any styling products until your hair is looking lush again.
Hydrate and eat the right foods
What you consume affects your hair’s health. If you want to revive your hair, consider focusing on eating foods that are rich with hair-essential nutrients. Eggs, fatty fish and nuts can help provide your hair with protein to make it grow back faster and thicker. Sweet potatoes and carrots can provide your hair with beta carotene to give it more shine. Vitamin rich foods like spinach and peppers can meanwhile fight brittleness. Finally, drink lots of water to promote blood flow and improve overall hair health.
Conclusion
Fixing certain habits could help you to keep your hair healthy. You do not have to cut out these habits completely, however you should reduce them if you can and explore alternative methods.
Remember that there are ways to revive damaged hair such as hair masks and changes in diet. However, you will need to act early before permanent damage is caused. The older you get and longer you keep up bad hair habits, the harder it will be to reverse the negative impact.
