Oh, what a difference great hair makes.
From framing your face to enhancing your favorite features, gorgeous locks have the power to
change up your entire look.
Still, with great hair comes great responsibility.
Dyeing, cutting, hair spraying, blow-drying … good hair takes work.
But did you know many of the things we do to achieve hair perfection are the very things
that are ruining our hair in the process?
That's why we looked to the experts to find out the everyday habits that are frying, frizzing
and ultimately killing our healthy tresses.
Skipping cuts
If you've ever grown out your hair, then you know how easy it can be to become attached
to that extra-long mane.
So attached, in fact, many of us skip out on regular trims just to let our hair get
a teensy bit longer.
And while there's nothing wrong with channeling our inner Rapunzel, waiting too long between
trims can actually be damaging those beautiful, long locks.
Jamielynn De Leon, owner of Rogue House Salon in NYC, told The List,
"Most of the time, people with long hair think getting a haircut is not necessary...
The truth is, yes, your hair grows from the roots, but the ends of your hair is what is
damaged and needs special attention."
De Leon goes on to explain that daily use of shampoos that contain harsh sulfates and
salts can strip the hair and cause split ends.
Hair cuts, however, can help keep your hair healthy and maintained.
Hate hair cuts?
Request a "hair dusting."
That'll tackle those ends without taking off too much length.
De Leon also advises regular haircuts every two to three months.
Conditioner overload
Silky soft strands are the Holy Grail of beautiful hair.
That's why many of us love to lather up on conditioner like it's going out of style.
The more conditioner, the softer the hair, right?
Not quite.
De Leon finds that many of her clients misunderstand the right way to condition their hair.
She says,
"You might think that you should put conditioner on the scalp, but it should just be used for
the ends of the hair."
De Leon also notes that like most shampoos, daily conditioners often contain sulfates,
which don't preserve the hair but instead, strip it.
A hair mask is a much more effective solution, full of the proper proteins and nutrients.
She recommends applying it once or twice a week, depending on how processed your hair
is.
Celebrity hairstylist, Vernon Francois, who's worked with stars like Tracee Ellis Ross,
Lupita Nyong'o, and Ruth Negga, is a big fan of moisturizing oils.
He told The List,
"Moroccan argan oil is one of my favorite options because it's easily absorbed by the
hair, while being extremely hydrating."
Extend your knowledge
A full head of luxurious extensions might make you feel like J.Lo, but buyer beware.
Underneath the surface, they might be doing more harm than good.
De Leon warns that the wrong extensions can cause tears and balding.
She's an advocate for the tape in extensions because they're gentler on the hair.
Your best bet is to do your research and find a reputable hairdresser who specializes in
extensions.
This can help ensure you find the extensions that work best for your particular hair type.
The right brush
While you can save a few extra bucks by sticking to just any old drug store hair brush, this
isn't the best way to keep your locks healthy.
In De Leon's experience, ladies always go for the brush with lots of bristles.
But the type of bristles matters too.
According to her, you want to look for a soft, gentle bristle that can easily pull through
your hair such as the Wet Brush, Teaser, or Mason Pearson.
De Leon says,
"Using a comb is always the safest bet, but make sure you're taking the right amount of
sections before tearing that hair."
Let loose
Braids and ponytails can be stylish time-savers, especially on days when humidity isn't on
our side.
But beware of too-tight hairstyles, no matter how sleek they look.
Dani Everson, owner and lead stylist at Clementine's Salon in Denver, Colorado, is all about letting
your hair breathe.
She says,
"Pulling hair in ponytails can damage your front hairline if it's too tight...Opt for
a looser lower ponytail toward the nape of the neck."
The same goes for too-tight braids.
Keep 'em loose and free.
You know, the carefree, hippie chick look.
Rubber bands and elastics can also break the hair.
Everson suggests something softer.
Scrunchies or ribbons are both fun options that won't damage your locks.
Besides, the '80s are so back.
Dry shampoo addiction
Just like throwing your hair up in a ponytail, dry shampoo can be a great option when you're
in a pinch.
And while a quick post-gym spray before happy hour is perfectly harmless, you don't want
to over-do the quick spritz fix.
NYC dermatologist Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD, is actually seeing patients lose hair from
this all-too-frequent habit.
He told us,
"By doing this, you allow for a build-up on the hair shaft that can weigh down the hair,
and cause increased inflammation.
This can lead to increased susceptibility to damage as well."
Dr. Bhanusali recommends one to two dry shampoo uses per week.
Tangled mess
Many of us resort to detangling our hair in the shower.
Seems to make sense, right?
Wrong.
While the wet comb-through can save time — and pain — this hair hack could be causing some
serious damage.
De Leon explains that,
"Wet hair is much more vulnerable and susceptible to breakage."
She recommends letting your hair dry before combing.
Start at the ends and work your way up towards the roots.
And if you absolutely must comb wet hair, she says make sure to do it with a wide-toothed
comb.
Smoke signals
Ever heard of the wet-to-dry iron?
That's flat ironing your damp hair till it dries.
And the best part is, it dries nice and straight.
Too good to be true?
Yup.
That sizzling your hair makes when it's clamped under a flat iron and it's still damp is a
big no-no.
Brooke Richardson, owner of East Edge Salon in Portland, Maine, told The List,
"This is burning your hair dry, causing hair to be brittle."
It's definitely better to let your hair fully dry before attempting to straighten, even
if it does take a bit of extra time.
It's hot in here
Similarly, it can be easy to want to pull out the flat iron any time we wake up with
a head full of frizz.
But Richardson explains that ironing frizzy hair is actually counterproductive.
She says,
"[Ironing] is not making your hair look less frizzy or damaged...It is burning damaged
pieces off which is causing more breakage."
The same goes for blow-drying your hair with too much heat.
Sean Donaldson, who's styled the likes of Kate Winslet, Kate Upton, and Whitney Port,
told The List,
"Over-heating the hair with a blow-dryer to achieve a smoother or wavier look is a falsity.
The higher heat intensity only breaks and fries the hair.
Using a lower temperature will not only protect the hair but you'll get the same results."
Scarespray
Hairspray is one of those go-to hair solutions most of us don't think twice about.
Pulling your hair back?
Add some hairspray.
Just finished a good blow dry for a night out?
Spritz it up!
It seems harmless enough, but according to Richardson, it can also cause our hair to
become dull and damaged.
To say she isn't a fan is an understatement.
She says,
"Hair spray is one of the best things to take stains out of clothes, and yet we put it in
our hair!"
Yikes!
Think about that the next time you want to pull off that Brigitte Bardot bouffant.
Do or dye?
Dyeing your hair at home seems like a good idea — it's cheaper, more convenient and
takes way less time than a trip to the salon.
But if you're committed to healthy hair, Robertson suggests leaving this practice to the pros.
She says,
"Box color is bad because it's formulated for all hair types, which means it has the
highest volume developer."
With an experienced hair stylist, you'll not only get access to salon quality products,
you'll make sure the right formula for your hair type ends up on your scalp, and you'll
also be sure it's applied properly.
Sounds like a win-win.
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