Silky, shiny hair is something all of us want to achieve. But in an attempt to create salon worthy styles, we can forget how delicate our hair is. Endless products, constant styling and continual use of heat can all cause damage to your hair, often without you realising. The effects of this damage are not always instant, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t there. Many women see their hair as their crowning glory, so shouldn’t it be given the utmost care and attention? So instead of taking your hair for granted, here are four hair mistakes you need to avoid doing each day.
Mistake 1: Wearing tight hairstyles every day
Sleek ponytails, high buns and tight braids are chic and fashionable style that any woman can achieve. They look fabulous for any occasion from work meetings to date nights and take seconds to create. This is why they have become so popular with women all over the world. But believe it or not, these taut styles can weaken your hair, dry out your scalp and cause premature hair loss. These are all things you naturally want to avoid. When you pull your hair through hair ties and pull them tightly to create these styles, it can cause stress and tension. Over time, this can cause your hair, particularly around your hairline to fall out. You may also experience irritation to your scalp as it can be made vulnerable, also due to the stress on your hair. If you like to style your hair in this way when it is partially wet, you may also find that your hair becomes brittle and prone to breakage. While you don’t have to quit creating these styles altogether, remember to give your hair and scalp a break by wearing your hair down too. Take a day off in between these tighter styles and create loose beachy waves or a half up half down style instead.
Mistake 2: Using hot tools on damp hair
While it’s common knowledge that you shouldn’t use hot tools such as a HSI hair straightener or curling tongs on wet hair, many people still do it. Your hair may not be soaking wet, but even the slightest bit of damp can burn your hair. This can cause it to become static and frizzy as well as making it more prone to breakage. If you hair breaks while using your hot tools, you will probably then go over the same section of hair over and over again. This will lead to further breakage and heat damage while also encouraging static and split ends. So if when you use your hot tools you hear a hissing noise or experience more steam than usual you need to discontinue your usage. It might be tempting if you’re in a rush to carry on, but it will take you longer to achieve you want this way. Only style your hair once it is completely dry to ensure you create the smooth styles you desire in no time at all.
To make your hair dry quickly, like most people you may choose to use a hairdryer. Incorrect and continual use can cause further heat damage to your hair. Always ensure that you hold your hairdryer, at least, five inches away from the surface of your hair and scalp. Or you could use a nozzle attachment. Otherwise, you could quickly burn the top of your head and singe your hair. This again can cause it to become dry and fall out. If you often smell burning when you dry your hair, this could be the reason. Remember to clean out the filter of your hair dryer regularly to maximize the airflow and reduce heat exposure.
Mistake 3: Using too much product
Hair products are designed to help us create flawless styles each day. Dry shampoo, serums and hair spray are just a few examples of hair products available. But using too much of any product can make your hair look greasy, lifeless and stiff. They can also block the pores on your scalp and encourage knotting. This can result in you needing to wash it more frequently, which could also cause frizz and damage to your hair. The bottles and cans the products are in can sometimes make it hard to control the amount you use. So place the product into your hand and work it into your hair. This will give you complete control and you can add more product if you need to. Also, remember only to use products that are suitable for your hair color and hair type. Check the labels before you buy or ask your hairdresser for their recommendation on products you should be using.
Mistake 4: Over Dyeing your hair
It’s recommended that you allow six to eight weeks in between dyes to keep your hair looking healthy and shiny. This suggested period is due to hair growing up to half an inch on average within this time frame. It’s unlikely that you should require dyeing to cover roots more frequently than this. If you make a habit of over-dyeing your hair, it will almost certainly dry it out and make it more vulnerable. The chemicals in hair dye can be harsh, especially those that contain bleach. You can experience painful sores that can irritate your scalp which could get infected if not cared for correctly. There is nothing wrong with experimenting with different colours and changing your style. But doing this too frequently can leave you with overworked and stressed out hair and follicles. So stick to the time frame and don’t be tempted to touch up or dye your hair in between.
If you do any of these mistakes on a daily basis, you’ve probably already began to see signs of dryness, split ends and frizz to name a few. It’s highly unlikely that you would cause this damage to your hair on purpose and now you know what to avoid you can make a positive change. So take what you have learnt and strive to get your hair in the best condition it has ever been in.
Connect with me online for more tips, workouts, videos and recipes:
www.facebook.com/jerseygirltalk
www.pinterest.com/jerseygirltalk
www.youtube.com/user/missads1981