Healthy hair looks gorgeous boosting every girl’s self-confidence. What can you do to keep it in shape longer? Actually, what not to do? Here are 10 things that damage your hair but you often unconsciously do them in your daily hair care.

Theoretically, one hair is able to hold the weight a hundred times heavier than its own weight. This makes us think it should be strong and solid!

Regrettably, there are factors that weaken the condition of hair in our daily life. Ranging from the sunlight, wind and rain to wrong care, our mistakes and unfavorable changes occurring in our bodies e.g. hormone imbalance, diseases.

The good thing is you can keep some of these wrongdoers damaging your hairdo at bay! Don’t do these 10 things if you want to keep hair healthy and good-looking.

NEVER DO IT TO YOUR HAIR!

1. Lack of sun protection

Our knowledge about the harmfulness of the sunlight is broader now so using a sunblock is obvious for most people. However, we tend to forget that UV radiation has also bad impact on hair. That is why hair looks much worse in summertime. Of course, you can prevent sun-damaged hair – use hair sunscreen sprays before going outside. This cloud of protective spray is easy to use and doesn’t weigh hair down in any way.

2. Tugging hair during brushing routine

Another daily hair care mistake is harsh combing. When an unwanted knot appears, there are two ways – you either tug it out with a brush or apply some oil which helps detangle yet it takes more time. We usually go for the first option which means hair breakage, pulling strands out and making hair weaker.

3. Hot blow-dry airflow

Using a hot airflow is equally harmful. There’s no difference if you use ionic dryer or not. Hair likes to dry naturally because heat and too quick drying process cause permanently open cuticles, hair breakage and dehydration. If you need to use a dryer, choose cool airflow, keep the nozzle far enough and protect hair e.g. with a hair oil.

4. Applying oil treatment to dirty hair

Since hair oil treatment became popular, we’ve been choosing nature. As much as vegetable oils give unbelievable hair benefits, applying them to unwashed hair defeats the purpose. This lazy version is ineffective and can leave hair greasy, weighed down and exposed to micro-cracks.

5. Styling without heat protection

Styling, that is improper styling, is the enemy of your hair. Protection from high temps matters the most because a flat iron, curling wand or heated rollers do lots of damage on unprotected hair. So, before reaching for a device, apply a protective spray or oil. Moreover, pay attention to styling products which may contain damaging substances, cause scalp irritation and overburden your hair.

6. Overwashed or unwashed hair

Interestingly, you can make mistakes already during the hair wash stage. I don’t mean the choice of the right shampoo yet it matters too. Overwashing can make hair extremely dry whereas the skin may start producing excessive amount of sebum (defensive reaction). On the other hand, washing hair too rarely may trigger scalp irritation because of buildup of impurities and consequently lead to dandruff and hair loss, for example. The key thing is you find the frequency that’s best for your own hair.

7. Too much time spent in salty and chlorinated water

Professional swimmers and surfers know about the awful effect of chlorinated or sea water on hair condition. It makes strands dry, dull, coarse and stiff. This is what makes protection at the swimming pool and at the seaside so crucial, even if you aren’t a regular there. All you need actually is a quality hair oil, conditioner or mask.

8. Too tight hairstyles

A high ponytail secured with a fancy elastic looks great. Unfortunately, wearing tight updos isn’t good for hair – this way, you weaken bulbs, break hair and leave (often irreversible) creases . An invisibobble for loose styles makes a good alternative.

9. Heat styling unwashed hair

There’s one more thing to be remembered about styling routine. Before you get down to styling, you must wash your hair a few hours before. Dirty hair – weighed down by sebum, product buildup, dead cells – breaks due to high temperatures and is exposed to toxins produced by the heat.

10. DIY hair coloring

The last hair-destructing thing is having hair colored by… yourself at home. It is not so much about the place as about not knowing the hairdresser’s technique. It is a far better idea to go to a professional who knows which dye to use and in what proportions, how to prime hair and what technique to use. DIY hair coloring may bring more harm than good.