Bad Hair Care Practices

We all want to keep our hair healthy, but are we taking all the necessary precautions? The most common practices like overheating, over highlighting, or ignoring split ends aren't the only ones that cause hair damage. Your everyday routines may put a lot of stress on your hair, even if they seem innocuous. However, if done regularly, they might cause long-term harm to the hair. Don’t get anxious right away if you are following these practices; no one is perfect. Fortunately, a few simple healthy hairs practices may make a big difference in your hair's condition in weeks. It might seem like a never-ending mountain of a task when it comes to hair care. As more and more people become aware of the dangers of sulfates, parabens, and silicones hiding in their hair care products, this is particularly true. The good news is that you don't have to spend all of your time reading labels and studying ingredients to give up unhealthy hair care habits and embrace your beautiful locks. Slowing down, doing less, and being kinder to your hair may help you achieve naturally beautiful locks.

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Dr. Reena Jogi is a dermatologist who specializes in PRP Hair Restoration in Houston, Texas.

Common Bad Hair Care Practices

A summary of the most prevalent bad hair care practices, as well as advice on how to prevent them in the future, is provided below

Not washing your brush

This is a mistake almost all of us have made. Brushing your hair collects a variety of debris reintroduced into your hair the following day, such as dead skin cells, oil, and product residue.

To maintain your hair free of germs, wash your brushes with warm water and antibacterial soap once a week at the very least [1].

Applying pressure while brushing

You should brush your hair regularly. Most people's hair is overworked because of the way we comb it.

Brushing your hair from root to tip puts the greatest stress on the ends, making them more prone to breaking.

Trying it the other way around may seem awkward at first. Brushing should begin at the tips of the hair and work its way up [2].

 

Tight ponytails as an essential part

They are simple, comfy, and look terrific. Pulling your hair back too firmly may contribute to hair loss around your hairline and temples because of the strain on your scalp, which can cause hair loss.

Ponytails aren't something you should avoid at all costs. Simply change up your hairstyle now and again, such as braiding it or free wearing it. Also, avoid putting damp hair in a ponytail since it is more vulnerable to breaking and shrinks as it dries.

Another consideration is that the tension in your hair tie should be kept to a minimum. The more flexible your hair ties are, the better, so avoid using silk scrunchies or metal clasps as much as possible.

Taking hot showers

We all like taking long, steamy showers. Shockingly hot water is not good for our hair, as we all know. It causes the hair to become drier by enabling moisture to leave via the cuticles. There is also the issue of fading.

It's best to wash your hair with warm or lukewarm water to avoid this problem. A last rinse with a burst of ice-cold water wouldn't hurt either [3].

Using too much dry shampoo

The opposite side of overusing shampoo is constantly using dry shampoo, which doesn't entirely remove product buildup, sweat, oils, etc., from your hair, leaving you with greasy hair.

So, although dry shampoo is a terrific concept, don't forget to wash your hair now and then.

Use a shampoo that goes deep into your hair follicles while washing your hair. Remove dirt and grease from hair and scalp using a shampoo. The protective oil layer is removed when you wash your hair, leaving it more vulnerable to damage.

However, conditioners are designed to be applied to the hair itself, not the scalp. The hair closest to your scalp is adequately hydrated and doesn't need conditioning. However, the dry hair shaft at the ends needs it [4].

Follicular damage, oiliness, and ingrown hairs may result from over-conditioning your scalp.

Using too much shampoo

Even though washing keeps our hair clean, using it daily depletes its natural oils and causes drying.

Your hair will be less stressed if you wash it every other day instead of every day. Consider switching to sulfate-free shampoos, which are considerably gentler in general, for your hair care needs.

Additionally, add nourishing products like My Hair to your regimen once a week. This is what I've got on the wall. Get some of the greatest hair treatments for damaged hair with the Jelly Fix Repair Booster, Glow Crazy Shine Booster, and Cool Hydrations Masque.

Your hair will get dry and lifeless if you wash it too often. Using too much shampoo depletes our hair's natural oils, causing it to lose its luster and health. Our skin is no exception. In the same way, not washing our hair regularly might have major consequences [5]. 

As our hair accumulates debris, dust, and other oils, our scalp pores may get clogged, leading to hair loss or slowed hair development. Consult a hair professional to choose a wash plan that works best for your hair and scalp, just as you would for your face and body.

Damaging wet hair

Moisture weakens your hair, making it more susceptible to breakage. The cuticles will get more damaged if you use a towel, squeeze it, or brush it after it's been dried.

The towel may be used to wipe any remaining moisture from the skin gently. Instead of brushing, use a wide-tooth comb to untangle your hair. Before using a hairdryer, make sure your hair is at least 80% dry.

Excessive heat styling

To avoid damaging your hair, you should avoid using a straightening iron on damp hair since doing so will cause it to boil with steam.

If your hair is still wet, use a heat protectant or wait until it's completely dry before styling it. As a side note, don't be frightened of turning the temperature down to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. If you often use hot tools, be sure to compensate by using a damaged hair treatment, such as Alterna's Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Masque.

Last but not least, depending on your hairdo, make sure you have a regular trim. Aim for every six weeks [6]. 

Otherwise, it doesn't matter how minor it seems to stop the negative hair behaviors outlined above - it does build up. That's why having the correct hair care products on hand is so important—trying to maintain your hair in tip-top form but not sure what products to use? You may find out by taking our simple quiz about hair!

Breakfast snub

Eat a high-protein meal in the morning to kick-start your day in the best possible way. Two typical breakfast items, eggs, and mixed berries, promote hair development and overall health. Healthy hair begins in the kitchen, so always keep this in mind.

Too much Sun exposure

Our skin and hair have many similarities. The sun's harmful beams severely harm both species. Excessive sun exposure results in sunburns, which may have cancer-causing consequences if untreated. In the same way, exposure to the sun makes our hair dry and drab. 

Even if the damage is masked as natural highlights, our hair remains vulnerable to significant breaking. To protect yourself from these side effects, use a wide-brimmed floppy summer hat and an amble sunscreen (particularly on your scalp) [7].

Frequent use of heat styling tools and blow-dryers

The keratin proteins in your hair may be damaged by the heat from hair styling appliances, just as they are in hot water. It also removes the hair's natural oils, resulting in breakage, dryness, and further harm to the hair.

It's possible to obtain any desired hairstyle by using hairstyling equipment that acts by dissolving the hydrogen bonds in the hair. This may cause hair brittleness by weakening hair shafts and damaging hair follicles.

Do not use heat styling products. Apply a heat protectant to your hair if you must use styling equipment, and use the lowest heat setting possible. Steam rollers may also be used as an alternative.

Choose goods with high-quality plates and temperature controls.

Do not style hair when it's still wet. Use the diffuser option on your hair drier with curly hair to avoid damage.

Use a hairdryer at a distance of 15 centimeters from the hair and avoid concentrating the heat on a single region.

Exposure to the sun

The sun's UVA and UVB radiation may cause hair discoloration, split ends, hair loss, dryness, and frizziness by damaging the hair cuticle. This results in hair that is difficult to maintain due to being dry and damaged.

Toxic free radicals attack the hair's protein, causing it to become brittle, resulting in hair loss. If you've had your hair dyed, bleached, straightened, or permed, it may be more vulnerable to sun damage.

Before going out in the sun, cover your hair with a scarf, cap, or hat. Keep out of the sun as much as possible to avoid sunburn.

Backcombing your hair

A typical hairstyling technique is teasing or backcombing. Cuticle damage or full removal of hair cuticles may result from combing your hair in a way that goes against its natural orientation.

When combing out the knots, teasing causes hair breaking since it tangles your hair, which may lead to hair loss. Teasing your hair may lead to hair breakage and split ends in the long term.

Keep your hair free of teasing. Use style products to give your hair more lift and volume instead. Prevent excessive friction while combing your hair, so don't overdo it.

To ensure that the hairdo is evenly distributed, use a wide-toothed comb and work your way up from the ends.

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The Bottom Line

The quality and quantity of your hair might be harmed by various commonplace conditions that cause it to become dry, harsh, thin, and damaged. The way you style your hair, the products you use, and the frequency with which you wash your hair are all examples.

Haircare and nutrition are intertwined when it comes to looking your best. The best course of action if your hair problems persist, such as hair loss, thinning, and dryness, the best course of action is to see a dermatologist.