Is there anything worse than hair breakage? Ugh! And it seems like everything causes it–dry hair, fine hair, swimming, coloring your hair, blow-drying, wearing ponytails, wearing braids that are too tight, using the wrong brush–the list goes on and on and on. Fortunately, you don’t have to throw in the proverbial towel and accept your tresses breaking as part of life. We have eight tips to prevent hair breakage.
Avoid Heat Tools Whenever Possible
We’re not saying you can never heat-style your hair. But we are saying heat isn’t your friend when it comes to hair breakage. Skipping the blow dryer, curling iron, and straightener most days will help you avoid damaging your hair. And when you do use heat tools, always use a protectant spray and opt for the lowest heat setting.
Be Careful With Towels, Too
Many times, when people try to skip blow-drying, they rub their hair vigorously with a towel instead. Unfortunately, that’s not a great idea. While it may dry your hair more quickly, it’s also more likely to break your hair and cause frizz. Instead, try wrapping your hair in a towel and letting it sit to absorb excess water. Then, air dry your hair the rest of the way.
Comb Your Hair at the Right Time
If you’re brushing your hair when it’s wet, that could be a big cause of your hair breakage. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends allowing your hair to mostly dry before combing if you have straight hair and combing while your hair is damp if you have curly or textured hair.
Change Your Pillowcase
We’re sometimes unaware of just how much we toss and turn in the night. And all that movement causes friction that can do a number on your hair. Switching to a silk or satin pillowcase can make a world of difference. Your hair will hold on to more of the moisture it needs, and you won’t build up as much friction while you sleep.
Take a Break From Chemicals
Harsh chemicals are in many of the products we wash, style, and color our hair with. Over time, they damage your hair, leading to breakage. Try opting for natural products like Viori in your daily routine. And if you do use chemical treatments to perm, relax, or color your hair, aim for 10 weeks between sessions.
Loosen Up
Wearing your hair in tight styles all the time can cause breakage and even hair loss! Try switching up your style instead. Wear your hair down, incorporate loose styles into your routine, and try lighter weaves that don’t pull on your hair. When you do wear your hair up, use covered hair ties to protect your hair.
Always Condition
One of the biggest mistakes people make is not conditioning their hair after every wash. Shampoo works by opening your hair cuticles so your hair can be cleaned. If you don’t condition, your cuticles stay open, leading to moisture loss and breakage.
Use Rice Water
The Red Yao credit Longsheng rice water for their incredibly long, healthy hair. And there’s some science to back it up! In addition to lots of other nutrients, water contains inositol, which has been found to help strengthen hair and reduce breakage. That’s why Longsheng rice water is an essential ingredient in every Viori bar.
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