Are your tresses looking a little rough? The truth is, it’s all too easy to damage your hair. And the culprit isn’t always as obvious as you might think. Here are five things you’re doing that are damaging your hair.
Brushing Too Much
Naturally, you want your hair to look shiny, smooth, and well-groomed. But did you know that brushing your hair has the potential to damage it? It’s true! Brushing creates friction and static, which is damaging to your hair.
Obviously, we’re not suggesting you never brush your hair, but if you’re brushing all the time, that could be the cause of your damage. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb and brush only enough to detangle and style your hair.
Towel Drying
Many of us were taught to towel dry our hair by vigorously rubbing the towel all over it. Unfortunately, that’s super damaging to your hair. Wet hair is particularly vulnerable, and towel drying your hair this way easily stretches and breaks your strands. Plus, it can cause static buildup, too.
Instead, just wrap your hair in a microfiber towel until the excess water is absorbed. Then, air dry it. Alternatively, try hair plopping. It’s amazing for curly or wavy hair.
Styling
Styling your tresses can be incredibly damaging to your hair. Weaves, extensions, heat tools, and tight styles like ponytails, close braids, and buns all have the potential to damage your hair. So do the hair ties and styling products you use.
So what’s the solution? Wear your hair down or in loose styles more often. If you wear weaves and extensions, get them professionally done. And don’t leave them in longer than three months. Use silk or satin-covered elastics, and try natural styling products that aren’t as harsh on your hair.
Using the Wrong Pillowcase
A lot of damage can be done to your hair while you sleep. That’s because all the tossing and turning you do builds up friction if you sleep on fabrics like cotton or flannel. Plus, absorbent fabrics like cotton pull moisture from your hair, leaving it dry and prone to breakage.
Silk and satin pillowcases are better alternatives. They don’t create static, so your hair is less likely to tangle.
And because silk and satin won’t remove your natural oils, you’ll wake up with shinier hair, too.
Following a Washing Routine That Doesn’t Work for You
Your washing routine may be damaging to your hair. The products you use, how frequently you wash and condition your hair, and even the temperature of the water you use all impact your hair. If you wash too often or not often enough, your hair could lose its protective oils or suffer from product buildup. Skipping conditioner leaves your cuticles prone to damage. And washing in water that’s too hot may prevent your cuticles from sealing.
It may take some trial and error to find the right washing routine for you, but we have a few tips. Start by aiming to wash your hair two or three times per week. And always give your hair time to adjust before changing your schedule. If you find that your hair is too dry, increase the time between washes. Conversely, if it’s too oily, wash it more often. Finally, always use conditioner after every wash, and rinse in cool water for the best result.
Many hair habits are damaging to your hair. But the good news is they’re easy to fix once you identify the problem.
Need help choosing the right Viori products for your hair? Take our hair quiz here!