Different studies have shown that common steps in a hair care routine can be harmful and lead to breakage or degradation of roots. The studies estimate that 80% of women experience some sort of hair breakage including dryness or split ends from their daily routine. Here are 10 common mistakes that cause hair damage and how to avoid them.
-
Rubbing shampoo on the length leads to breakage: Your hair is fragile when wet as water causes the shaft to swell making it more elastic and easier to stretch beyond its limit. Scrubbing shampoo on mid-lengths and ends causes more friction between the strands leading to breakage.
Remediation: Let the shampoo flow through the length of your hair while rinsing your scalp and avoid scrubbing.
-
Skipping the conditioner costs more than you think: Applying conditioner on your hair isn’t just about getting that silkiness. The smoothness that it gives to hair strands and cuticles reduce friction leading to less breakage. It keeps the hair detangled and with lesser knots for easier combing rhythm, making breakage less possible.
Remediation: Don’t forget to apply after every shampoo.
-
Dry rubbing hair with towel can aid breakage: Your hair is at its most vulnerable stage because of the wetness from the shower. Rubbing your hair with a towel triggers friction in the hair shaft as it scrubs against the towel fibres. This leads to pulling and breakage.
Remediation: Wrap a water absorbent towel around your hair and soak it dry. Then let it air dry.
-
Brushing hair when wet is a deal breaker: You already know that the hair shaft swells from wetness and is susceptible to breakage even with slight friction. If you generally untangle your hair using the comb when wet, it can lead to breakage as the strands get a pull.
Remediation: If your hair is straight then let it dry and then comb it with a wide-tooth comb. For curls, it is best to comb it when damp using the same type of comb.
-
Heat styling tools can cost your strength: Getting that cool, styling and glossy look with heat styling tools like blow dryer, curling iron or hot comb can definitely boost self-confidence. At the same time the heat transferred to your hair from these tools can strip moisture, damage cuticles, weaken hair protein and more leading to breakage.
Remediation: Give your hair the time to dry naturally, (when possible) and then use the lowest heat settings on these tools. Also, try to avoid such tools as much as possible.
-
Styling products contribute to hair breakage: The more ferociously a styling product keeps your hair in place, the more aggressively it contributes to hair damage and breakage. All these products are chemical-intensive that make hair stiff and increase friction during styling.
Remediation: The most simple way is to not use these products. But if you’re using it, then lower the frequency and time for such products to stick to your hair.
-
Ponytails, buns, cornrows can also damage hair: Sporting a ponytail, bun or cornrows can undoubtedly give that strong and cool look to your hair. But the constant pull reaches into your cuticles and creates tension that leads to mechanical damage, hairline breakage and more.
Remediation: Give yourself these hairstyles but with a looser pull. Also use hair bands that are explicitly made for styling.
-
Putting on a weave or hair extension breaks hair: The added length and style coming from installing a weave or hair extension is fine. The problem lies in the installation and removal method as it can add tension and weight to natural hair leading to breakage.
Remediation: Keep your natural hair clean, moisturised and detangled. Use extensions that are lightweight and with professional assistance (if possible).
-
Chemical treatments cause hair damage: Colouring, bleaching, perming or relaxing your hair is done through chemicals that alter your hair’s structure. It weakens hair protein, damages cuticles and leaves your hair brittle and dry making it susceptible to breakage.
Remediation: Extend the time between chemical touch-ups to 8–10 weeks and keep your hair hydrated and shielded from damage by using conditioner after every wash and applying a zinc oxide leave-in or wearing a wide-brimmed hat in the sun.
-
Stroking your hair excessively leads to breakage: If you believe stroking or brushing your hair 100 times a day will give it the necessary shine and health, it's actually the opposite. Unnecessarily stroking or brushing creates friction that damages the shaft and cuticles leading to breakage.
-
Remediation: Use a wide-tooth comb to gently comb your hair and style it.
Following these remediation steps can help you keep your hair strong, shiny and healthy. At the same time using products that are built for individual hair types aids in all these factors too.
Check out Dooa Beauty’s hair product catalogue and give your hair the best.