Publications
Partners
1. Brushing your hair while it’s wet
Yep, I was horrified when I found out about this one because I always brushed my hair after washing it.
Brushing hair when it is wet stretches the strands. Your wet hair is not as strong as when it is dry so it causes damage and breakage. You can however use a wide toothed comb.
2. Setting heat too high
Never put the heat up too high on your styling tools. You won't immediately see the damage but over time too much heat makes your hair dry and brittle. If you have stubborn hair and need the heat to be high, use a heat protector. In fact, always use a hair protectant spray – regardless of the type of hair you have, or the amount of heat styling you do.
3. Skipping trims.
Remember to get rid of those split ends. Over time split ends become even bigger split ends, higher up in the hair shaft, causing more damage to the hair. It’s best to go for a trim every month or two.
4. Lethal combo
Combining hairspray and your hot iron can be deadly for your hair. The alcohol in most hairsprays burns when it comes into contact with heat. Use a thermal protector before hot ironing then use hairspray afterwards.
5. Using a lot of product
Too much of a good thing is bad. The same goes for hair products. Your hair has natural oils and the more product you use, the more you strip your hair of those natural oils.
6. The dreaded towel turban
Yes, we all do it, wrapping our hair in a towel to dry off excess water. This is actually bad for your hair. Wet hair should be gently squeezed with a towel and not wrung out. Wringing your hair will cause more frizz and breakage. Also don’t wring the excess water from your hair...rather let the towel soak up the excess water and avoid unnecessary damage.
7. Over shampooing
You think you’re doing a good thing when you use a lot of shampoo but the fact is, it’s actually causing more damage because you are stripping your hair of its natural oils. Use a coin sized amount of shampoo, even if you do have long or thick hair.
8. Cutting hair with household scissors
If you cut your own hair or have a friend cut your hair it is best to buy a pair of proper salon scissors. They are much sharper and will not cause blunt, split ends.
9. Colouring hair multiple times
Once hair colour grows out don’t colour it again for at least 2-3 months. This will give your hair some rest and time to recuperate. Also don’t colour and straighten (or any other chemical) simultaneously.
10. Always wearing your hair in a bun or ponytail
When you tie your hair in a bun or ponytail it causes a lot of tension on your hair. This can damage strands and eventually leads to hair fall as well. Try to avoid pulling the ponytail too tight, to minimize the amount of tension on the hair. In addition, some ponytail elastics can cause damage on their own, and only snag-free elastic bands (without metal connectors) should be used.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Yep, I was horrified when I found out about this one because I always brushed my hair after washing it.
Brushing hair when it is wet stretches the strands. Your wet hair is not as strong as when it is dry so it causes damage and breakage. You can however use a wide toothed comb.
2. Setting heat too high
Never put the heat up too high on your styling tools. You won't immediately see the damage but over time too much heat makes your hair dry and brittle. If you have stubborn hair and need the heat to be high, use a heat protector. In fact, always use a hair protectant spray – regardless of the type of hair you have, or the amount of heat styling you do.
3. Skipping trims.
Remember to get rid of those split ends. Over time split ends become even bigger split ends, higher up in the hair shaft, causing more damage to the hair. It’s best to go for a trim every month or two.
4. Lethal combo
Combining hairspray and your hot iron can be deadly for your hair. The alcohol in most hairsprays burns when it comes into contact with heat. Use a thermal protector before hot ironing then use hairspray afterwards.
5. Using a lot of product
Too much of a good thing is bad. The same goes for hair products. Your hair has natural oils and the more product you use, the more you strip your hair of those natural oils.
6. The dreaded towel turban
Yes, we all do it, wrapping our hair in a towel to dry off excess water. This is actually bad for your hair. Wet hair should be gently squeezed with a towel and not wrung out. Wringing your hair will cause more frizz and breakage. Also don’t wring the excess water from your hair...rather let the towel soak up the excess water and avoid unnecessary damage.
7. Over shampooing
You think you’re doing a good thing when you use a lot of shampoo but the fact is, it’s actually causing more damage because you are stripping your hair of its natural oils. Use a coin sized amount of shampoo, even if you do have long or thick hair.
8. Cutting hair with household scissors
If you cut your own hair or have a friend cut your hair it is best to buy a pair of proper salon scissors. They are much sharper and will not cause blunt, split ends.
9. Colouring hair multiple times
Once hair colour grows out don’t colour it again for at least 2-3 months. This will give your hair some rest and time to recuperate. Also don’t colour and straighten (or any other chemical) simultaneously.
10. Always wearing your hair in a bun or ponytail
When you tie your hair in a bun or ponytail it causes a lot of tension on your hair. This can damage strands and eventually leads to hair fall as well. Try to avoid pulling the ponytail too tight, to minimize the amount of tension on the hair. In addition, some ponytail elastics can cause damage on their own, and only snag-free elastic bands (without metal connectors) should be used.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
