The world can be a scary place sometimes, especially for your hair. There are lots and lots of damaging forces out there just waiting to betray your tresses, and your poor helpless hair can’t do a thing about it! The worst part is, most damage is irreversible. So the responsibility is on you to keep your hair protected, and fix whatever damage you couldn’t avoid. Let’s not get too dramatic though, because worst case scenario, you can always chop your locks off and start fresh. You always wondered what you would look like with a bob, right? Well, let’s not jump the gun…
How can I tell if my hair is damaged?
- Is your hair dry or brittle?
- Is your hair notoriously difficult to manage?
- Do you experiment often with color treatments?
- Do you experiment often with chemical treatments?
- Do you use thermal styling tools without heat proetection serums or sprays?
What could have damaged my hair?
There are lots of ways hair gets damaged. Sometimes Mother Nature is to blame, but we’re not going to lie – sometimes it is your fault. That’s a good thing though - if your hair is being damaged by something under your control, it will be a quick fix to resolve the issue. Mother Nature’s fury, on the other hand, is a little more difficult…
Sun damage
By now we should all know that a great tan comes with serious consequences to your skin’s health, but it can be equally damaging to your hair.
The real culprit is the sun’s UV rays. They penetrate your hair, damaging the follicle down to the shaft. This is something that is unfortunately impossible to avoid – unless you completely avoid the sun. But let’s be serious, who wants to completely avoid the sun? Your best bet is to take note when you’ll be exposed to extreme sun and use precaution such as hair products with a built-in SPF, or braid your hair to minimize exposure.
Too much brushing
Brushing your hair, especially when it’s wet, can cause severe breakage. I know it’s tempting if you’re in a rush to run a brush through your locks very quickly to get the knots out, but take it easy! A wide tooth comb is a much better choice for wet hair, and take your time!
Too much heat
Whether it’s from blow dryers or flat irons, we tend to expose our hair to an awful lot of heat. Of course the healthiest way to let your hair dry is to allow it to air dry, but honestly who has the time? Heat is a necessary part of a girl’s hair routine. Here’s some great ways to safely use your heat appliances.
- Always start your routine with a thermal leave-in protectant
- Always use your hair dryer on a high speed and a low to medium heat to minimize thermal exposure
- Always check for tourmaline in your hair tools– it’s infused in the plates of flat irons and the heating element of hair dryers and adds to the health of your hair follicles
- Always use your dryers attachments – a diffuser or concentrator will help channel the heat to exactly where you want it to be
- Always use a professional flat iron – cheap drug store irons will heat unevenly, causing part of your hair to singe while the other part remains undone. While you’re at it, make it a ceramic iron! 100% ceramic plates are best, but ceramic coated is better for your hair than titanium or other metal alloy plates
Harsh hair products
Some people think over-washing is what damages your hair, but in reality it is the harsh shampoos that they use. These products deplete your hairs natural oils and can dry out your scalp. If you don’t need to wash every day, then don’t! But for people with oily hair, switch to a gentle shampoo.
Cold weather
Cold weather causes hair to dry out due to less humidity in the air. Combined with the cold air, dry hair becomes brittle and breaks more easily. To protect your hair try using a deep conditioning treatment once a week – this will help lock in moisture and strengthen your hair.
Chlorine and Salt Water
Whether it’s through artificial chemicals in a pool or natural sea salt at the shore, exposure to such substances can break your hair down. Always shampoo and condition immediately after you’re done swimming – a clarifying shampoo is best. If you swim in either body of water regularly, be sure to take the proper precautions as chlorine and sea salt can be extremely damaging if not taken care of!
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Thanks to Sarah for writing this article for Misikko!
