7 Most Common Causes That Lead To Hair Damage

If there is one thing we can all get behind when it comes to our hair, it's that hair damage is never a good thing. Say what you will about your ultimate hair goals, but I think we can all agree that having dry, brittle strands that split and break off is never a good thing, no matter what your hair type, color, or cut may be.

Unfortunately, it's our daily hair care routines that often cause the most damage to our manes (think heat styling, aggressive brushing, sun damage, and improper washing), which is why it's essential for you to make sure that you're not only caring for your hair but that you're also doing it correctly. What exactly does that mean? We recently caught up with our lab team to dish on why hair breaks and what you can do to stop it, here's what they had to say.

# Inadequate Diet

Ever heard the saying “you are what you eat”? It is true, especially when it comes to hair and skin health. Some nutrients promote hair growth and avoid damage caused to it. So, make sure you include enough iron, folic acid, and zinc in your diet. Adequate amounts of antioxidants and protein can also help you in keeping your hair damage-free.

# Too Much Stress

Stress and hair loss are directly linked to each other. Stress can also lead to hair breakage. Telogen effluvium is the name given to temporary hair loss that happens right after a stressful experience. It makes your follicles go dormant and makes the hair break off. Your old hair may fall out too. So, manage your stress levels through regular deep breathing, yoga and meditation to maintain healthy hair.

# Hair Styling Tools

To get the best results from a flat iron or curling iron, or your hairdryer, you might need high heat. However, when used too much or incorrectly, these tools can damage your cuticles. So, it is recommended to give your strands a break from all the styling tools at least once a week to prevent heat damage.

Also, when styling your hair, use a ceramic version of tools. These tools heat up evenly so that you don’t have to use them on the same sections of hair repeatedly. Never forget to use hair protection serums before styling, these can minimize the damage to some extent.

# Over Washing And Improper Towel Drying

If you have oily skin, your scalp is also likely to produce excess oil (sebum). This might tempt you to wash your hair more often than you need to. While washing hair every second day is fine, you shouldn’t wash it every day. On the other side, dehydrated hair may only need weekly shampooing.

Gently massage your scalp while shampooing and apply conditioner smoothly working from ends. After a shower, do not rub your hair vigorously with a towel. Rubbing motion damages your hair as hair is most vulnerable when it is wet. Instead of rubbing off your hair, blot it with a cotton T-shirt. A hot oil massage just before washing your hair also prevents it from excessive dryness.

# Elastic Hair Ties

Elastic hair ties are a must-have to secure your hair from falling out on the face. These elastic hair ties are also very handy on bad hair days or when you are in a hurry. Using elastic hair ties can cause hair breakage. You can fix this by tying your hair a bit looser or by wearing your hair down once in a while, or opt for a breakage-preventing hair style. Also, make sure you use good quality hair ties, and not the rubber bands that damage your hair.

# Improper Brushing And Combing

You might have heard that brushing or combing your hair 100 strokes a day makes your hair look good. But, this is just a myth. It is recommended to brush or comb the hair only when you are styling it. Also, make sure to use wide wooden tooth combs as it helps prevent breakage. You need to use a brush only when the hair is dry, and always opt for a brush with natural bristles.

# Lack Of Hair Trims

Sometimes we avoid getting our hair trimmed to help them grow longer. But that’s not helpful. In fact, regular hair trims help in keeping your hair healthy and free of split ends. Hair trimming is similar to skin exfoliation in that regard. Just like exfoliation removes old cells to help new ones to develop, hair trimming gets rid of damaged, lifeless hair and promotes hair growth. So, see your stylist at least every eight weeks. This helps even when you want to grow your hair as trimming damaged ends prevents hair breakage.