Styling Practices And Hair Care Habits To Avoid
Are you tired of dealing with dull, damaged hair? Do you find yourself constantly battling frizz or struggling to maintain your desired hairstyle? It might be time to take a closer look at your styling practices and hair care habits. While it’s important to take care of your hair, it’s equally crucial to avoid certain styling practices and hair care habits that can do more harm than good. In this blog, we’ll explore some common styling practices and hair care habits to avoid in order to achieve and maintain healthy, gorgeous hair.
Excessive Heat Styling:
We all love using heat styling tools like flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers to achieve our desired hairstyles. However, excessive use of these tools can cause significant damage to your hair. The high temperatures from heat styling tools can strip your hair of its natural moisture, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. To avoid this, limit your use of heat styling tools and always use a heat protectant spray before styling. Opt for air drying whenever possible or use lower heat settings on your tools to minimize damage.
Over Brushing:
Brushing your hair regularly is important for detangling and distributing natural oils, but over brushing can lead to damage. Brushing your hair too vigorously or using the wrong type of brush can cause breakage, especially when your hair is wet and more vulnerable. Instead, use a wide-toothed comb or a brush with soft bristles to gently detangle your hair from ends to roots.
Tight Hairstyles:
Wearing tight hairstyles like ponytails, buns, or braids can put stress on your hair shafts and lead to breakage, especially if you’re constantly pulling your hair back tightly. This can also cause traction alopecia, a type of hair loss caused by constant tension on the hair follicles. To avoid this, opt for looser hairstyles and give your hair a break from tight styles whenever possible. If you do wear tight hairstyles, use hair ties without metal or opt for scrunchies to minimize damage.
Chemical Overload:
While coloring, perming, and relaxing your hair can help you achieve your desired look, using too many chemical treatments can damage your hair over time. Chemicals in these treatments can strip your hair of its natural oils, weaken the hair shaft, and make it more prone to breakage. If you must use chemical treatments, make sure to follow the instructions carefully, and give your hair regular breaks between treatments to allow it to recover.
Skipping Regular Trims:
Avoiding regular trims is a common mistake when it comes to haircare. Even if you’re trying to grow out your hair, regular trims are essential to maintain healthy ends and prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft. Skipping trims can result in dry, frayed ends that are more prone to breakage. Aim to get a trim every 6-8 weeks, or as recommended by your stylist, to keep your hair looking its best.
Using Harsh Hair Products:
The hair products you use can also have a significant impact on the health of your hair. Avoid using products that contain harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and alcohol, as they can strip your hair of its natural oils and cause dryness and damage. Look for hair care products that are formulated with nourishing ingredients and are free from harmful chemicals to keep your hair healthy and happy.
Rough Towel Drying:
After washing your hair, it’s important to be gentle when drying it. Rubbing your hair vigorously with a towel can cause friction and lead to breakage, especially when your hair is wet and more vulnerable. Instead, use a soft, microfiber towel or an old t-shirt to gently blot your hair and absorb the excess water. Avoid wringing or twisting your hair, as this can cause unnecessary stress and breakage. Let your hair air dry whenever possible, and if you need to use a blow dryer, use it on the lowest heat setting and keep it at least 6-8 inches away from your hair to minimize damage.
Neglecting Scalp Health:
Your scalp health plays a crucial role in the overall health of your hair. Neglecting your scalp can lead to various issues like dandruff, dryness, oiliness, and even hair loss. It’s important to keep your scalp clean, moisturized, and balanced. Avoid using harsh shampoos that can strip your scalp of its natural oils, and instead, use a gentle shampoo and conditioner that are suitable for your scalp type. Incorporate a scalp massage into your hair care routine to stimulate blood flow and promote a healthy scalp environment.
Sleeping with Wet Hair:
Sleeping with wet hair can cause your hair to rub against your pillow, leading to friction and breakage. Additionally, wet hair is more susceptible to damage as it is in a weakened state. Make sure to let your hair air dry or use a diffuser on your blow dryer to dry your hair partially before sleeping. You can also opt for a loose braid or a satin/silk pillowcase to minimize friction and protect your hair while sleeping.
Overdoing Hair Products:
Using too much hair product can weigh down your hair, making it look greasy and dull. It’s important to use the right amount of product for your hair type and texture. Avoid overloading your hair with excessive amounts of styling products, as it can lead to product buildup, which can be difficult to remove and may cause your hair to become limp and lifeless. Always follow the recommended usage instructions on your hair products and start with a small amount, gradually adding more if needed.
Healthy Haircare Habits to Embrace:
- Using a Wide-Toothed Comb or a Detangling Brush: Instead of harshly brushing your hair with a regular brush, opt for a wide-toothed comb or a detangling brush. These tools are gentler on your hair and help to minimize breakage and reduce the risk of tangling.
- Using Heat Protectant: If you must use heat styling tools, always apply a heat protectant spray or serum to your hair beforehand. Heat protectants create a barrier between your hair and the heat, reducing the risk of damage caused by high temperatures.
- Trimming Regularly: Don’t skip your regular hair trims! Trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks helps to get rid of split ends and prevents them from traveling up the hair shaft, leading to further damage. Regular trims promote healthier hair growth and maintain the overall shape and appearance of your hair.
- Deep Conditioning: Treat your hair to regular deep conditioning treatments to replenish moisture, nourish your strands, and improve overall hair health. Look for deep conditioning masks or treatments that are specifically formulated for your hair type and use them as recommended.
- Protecting Your Hair at Night: Invest in a silk or satin hair bonnet or pillowcase to protect your hair while you sleep. These materials help to reduce friction and prevent hair breakage, keeping your hair smooth and tangle-free.
- Using Hair-friendly Accessories: Be mindful of the accessories you use in your hair. Avoid using accessories with sharp edges or tight bands that can cause hair to snag, break, or create tension on your hair shafts. Opt for hair-friendly accessories like hair clips, scrunchies, or hairpins made of gentle materials.
- Eating a Balanced Diet: Remember that healthy hair starts from within. Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins is essential for promoting hair health. Include foods like fish, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet to nourish your hair from the inside out.
- Using Gentle Hair Care Products: Choose hair care products that are gentle on your hair and scalp. Look for shampoos and conditioners that are sulfate-free, paraben-free, and free of harsh chemicals. Avoid using excessive amounts of styling products and always follow the usage instructions on the product labels.
- Taking Care of Your Scalp: Just like your skin, your scalp needs care too. Keep your scalp clean, moisturized, and balanced to promote a healthy environment for your hair to grow. Use a gentle scalp scrub or massager to exfoliate your scalp and remove any buildup.
- Being Gentle with Wet Hair: Wet hair is more fragile and prone to breakage, so be extra gentle when handling wet hair. Use a wide-toothed comb or a detangling brush to detangle your hair, and avoid rough towel drying or wringing out excess water. Instead, gently pat your hair dry with a soft towel or an old t-shirt.
By incorporating these healthy haircare habits into your routine and avoiding damaging styling practices and hair care habits, you can promote the overall health and vitality of your hair. Remember to be mindful of how you treat your hair on a daily basis, and give it the care and attention it deserves to keep it looking its best. Healthy hair is happy hair!
