Below are some tips to help prevent and repair damaged hair
Do you flat iron or curl your damp hair before running out the door? Do you wash your hair on a daily basis? Although these practices get the job done, they can be very damaging to our hair. Let’s unravel some of the worst hair practices so that we can treat our damaged hair and turn it into healthy locks!
1. Curling/Straightening Wet Hair
Have you ever been so incredibly late that you decided to straighten your wet or damp hair? Please say no, because there are few things that are as damaging to your hair than this. This is because wet hair is more prone to damage than dry hair. The hair becomes more vulnerable, which results in hair breakage. Fun fact: wet hair is a lot more likely to “pop” (yes, like popcorn) because of the water and heat coming in contact. Ladies, this one deserves a pledge. Look into the mirror and repeat after me: “Never will I ever curl or straighten my wet hair again.” A Ghd should only ever be used on dry hair.
2. Over-washing
Washing your hair too often is another way you may not know you are damaging your hair. Here’s the reality: the purpose of washing hair is to strip away oil buildup from your scalp and to cleanse it. If you are washing your hair too often (before it gets the chance to replenish its natural oils), your hair can become very dry. To prevent dry hair, we recommend to figure out a washing routine that works for you (depending on the length, thickness, and how you style your hair), but try to avoid washing your hair daily. Dry shampoo is your friend on those days in between!
3. Over-brushing
Have you ever heard the saying “100 strokes and your hair will become shiny and full”? Well, this is not quite true. Just like under-brushing, over-brushing can cause your hair to break (in the form of split ends or greater damages than that). Think about it – if your hair is constantly being brushed, chances are that there is too much friction, too often. You can help stop hair breakage by minimising how frequently you brush your hair.
4. Using too much heat
Brace yourself – this is a very important tip! The first thing to keep in mind is to use curling irons and flat irons that have a heat setting option. Ladies, please stop frying your hair. Remember that fine, thin, and fragile hair should use the lowest heat setting, and that the average time you need to hold a curl is somewhere between 5 to 10 seconds. A helpful tip to preventing heat damage to your hair is to start by using a low temperature and less time and gradually increase if need be. Something to keep in mind is that heat changes the hydrogen bonds that hold hair together, meaning that permanent hair damage can occur if you use heat on a daily basis. Always use a heat protector when using any heat . We love Nioxin therm activ protector its light weight and really gives super protection.
5. Tight hairstyles
Although ponytails, braids, and updos are a fun and creative way of changing up your look, these are considered to be tight hairstyles which can actually be harmful to your hair because of the constant tug and pull from your scalp. We recommend to avoid having your hair up all the time and as an alternative, try embracing your natural hair down.
6. Brushing wet hair
Who knew that brushing your hair while wet can damage it? We didn’t. Actually, towel drying and brushing your wet hair can increase the chance of breakage. Switching your hair towel for a softer material (like cloth used in a shirt) is better as it’s less harsh for your hair. And also, make sure to opt for a wide tooth comb instead of a brush when detangling wet hair, or a wet brush.
7. Brushing from top to bottom
Another great tip when brushing your hair is to make sure to start from the bottom and gradually work your way up. When you start detangling from the top, you will encounter a lot more tangles than if you started from the bottom and literally rip the hair out (yikes). Brushing from bottom to top is ideal when trying to prevent hair breakage
So there’s a few top tips to get you those shiny locks. Remember always use good quality products it is definitely worth the investment . Treat your hair with a good quality mask once a week for 10 minutes if required and then once every two weeks as the texture improves.
Love dimilo xx