Your hair might be more damaged than you think! From heat tools to chemical treatments, your everyday habits could be causing breakage, frizz, and dullness. Stop these common mistakes, protect your strands, and learn the best way to bring your hair back to life!
The Secret Culprits Behind Dry, Dull, and Damaged Hair
Hair damage can be caused by various factors, including mechanical damage, chemical damage, and heat damage. Mechanical damage is caused by hair wear-and-tear, such as dragging combs and brushes through your hair, tying styles with taut ties and ribbons, and exposing hair to the elements. Chemical damage is caused by hair dye and other chemical treatments, while heat damage is caused by using heat styling tools.
Hair experts agree that the key to preventing further damage is to adjust your hairstyling habits. “The goal is to first prevent further damage by adjusting the hairstyling habits that created the problem and implementing practices that promote hair health and nourishment to the hair fiber,” says Bridgette Hill, a trichologist. A weekly deep treatment routine consisting of nourishing ingredients like fatty acids, silk proteins, conditioning oils, and humectants will help your cause, as will a check-in with your doctor to determine if any preexisting conditions could be impacting your hair health.
Tugging, Tying, and Tearing: The Subtle Ways You’re Hurting Your Hair
Mechanical damage is caused by hair wear-and-tear, such as dragging combs and brushes through your hair, tying styles with taut ties and ribbons, and exposing hair to the elements. All of these externals can lead to the breakage of individual strands, weathering (and even eradicating) protective cuticles, and leading to a frazzled and frizzy mane. While certain products exist to address damage caused by chemicals, the experts emphatically agree that no miracle product restores split ends or severely damaged hair. Extreme cases of damage call for a hair intervention in the form of a trim or, in some cases, a full-on chop.
To minimize the signs of mechanical damage, take a break from even the most basic of tools and embrace your natural texture with the help of products like Vernon François Nourishing Water or Ceremonia’s Guava Beach Waves. Additionally, oils like Rōz’s Santa Lucia Styling Oil and Living Proof’s No Frizz Vanishing Oil can quell frizz and ramp up radiance as your hair starts to heal.
Hair Dye Gone Wrong? Understanding Chemical Damage and How to Keep Your Hair Healthy
Chemical damage is caused by hair dye and other chemical treatments. While occasional chemical processing accompanied by a strategic and regimented hair care routine is no cause for concern, treatments that are too frequent, too harsh, or not accompanied by proper tending can lead to progressive deterioration of hair cuticles. Take dyeing your hair, for example. Some hair dyes can cause irritation or allergy on the scalp, which can lead to hair loss. They can also disrupt the hair shaft, which can lead to dryness and breakage. Treatments like Brazilian blowouts can contain formaldehyde, which can cause inflammation or an allergic reaction.
Bond-building hair products, which work to repair amino acid bonds that make up the keratin in hair, have been all the rage in recent years. Options like Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil and Living Proof’s leave-in treatment are reliable favorites for protecting against future damage.
Your Flat Iron is Killing Your Hair: How Heat Damage Wreaks Havoc on Your Strands
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Heat damage is caused by using heat styling tools. Though heat tools may help our hair appear perfect, relying on them too frequently can do lasting harm. As with chemical processing, the repeated application of heat erodes the cuticle and weathers strands, leading to breakage over time. Too-high heat can even cause immediate damage, literally singing the very strands you’re trying to style.
To prevent heat damage, the pros suggest you first take stock of your shampoo and conditioner to ensure both are free of harsh sulfates. “Never skimp on shampoo and conditioner, because it’s the thing you use the most,” says Brager, who agrees that sulfate-free products are the way to go as harsh chemicals can strip hair of its oils, leading to further frizz and dryness.
Hair Protection 101: How to Bring Your Hair Back from the Brink
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If you know where you went wrong, you can take steps to ease existing damage. For instance, if you damaged your hair with dye, bleach, or heat tools, you can use olive oil, almond oil, or coconut oil to rehydrate and smooth the cuticle. You can also try a rice water rinse, which has been shown to penetrate damaged hair and repair hair from the inside out.
The only real cure for hair damage is time, a pair of shears, and taking steps to prevent new damage. But don’t despair, with proper hair care and a few targeted treatments, you can help restore the outer cuticle and begin to improve the look and feel of your hair. Regular trims can also help remove damaged ends and allow healthier hair to grow.
Hair damage is a common problem that can be caused by various factors, including mechanical damage, chemical damage, and heat damage. While it’s not possible to fully repair damaged hair, you can take steps to prevent further damage and ease existing damage. By adopting good hair care habits, such as using gentle products, minimizing heat styling, and getting regular trims, you can help restore your hair to its former glory.
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