Your daily habits are ruining your hair – here are 8 tips to prevent it

Fashion & Beauty

by Brooke Steinberg

It's often difficult to pinpoint exactly what's causing hair damage, but it can be something as simple as your daily habits.

Beauty experts and trichologists have revealed some of the ways you may be damaging your hair without knowing it, and some tips to avoid these simple mistakes.

tie your hair back

Eva Proudman, trichologist and hair specialist at Absolute Collagen, told The Sun that your hair could be damaged even while you sleep.

“When you toss and turn during the night, you create friction and heat between your hair and your pillow, which can damage your hair and lead to breakage,” she explained.

It's widely known that excessive heat from hair tools can cause some damage, but most people don't think about the heat generated during sleep.

Fortunately, Proudman tells us there are ways to protect your hair from chafing.

“The best way to protect your hair from chafing and damage is to tie your hair back instead of tying it up. It's true that tying your hair back can cause some tugging, but if done correctly it minimizes friction during the night. It can be suppressed.”

sleep with dry hair

Hair is at its most delicate when it's wet, so sleeping with wet hair can cause further damage, say experts at hair care brands.

Bronwen Robinson, senior hairstylist and educator at Sweet Caroline in Soho, says: “Wet hair is like 'wet spaghetti' – it's less elastic, so it tends to stretch and break more easily. '' he previously told the Post.

“Friction and heat caused by moving around during sleep can degrade and even damage the mat,” the researchers said.

The best thing to do is wash your hair a few hours before bed and allow time to air dry. However, if that's not possible, be sure to use a heat protectant before blow-drying.

Be careful how you dry your hair

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) warns against drying your hair by rubbing it with a towel.

Instead, wrap your hair in a towel to absorb moisture and let it air dry.

Use a silk or satin pillowcase

For people who suffer from hair breakage, sleeping on a luxurious silk or satin pillowcase can have great benefits, especially if you have trouble sleeping.

According to experts, these pillowcases can help prevent tangles, chafing, and frizz, and silk pillowcases also have the added benefit of not absorbing your hair's natural oils, which keep your scalp moisturized.

Robinson also encouraged the use of silk pillowcases, which are made from natural materials, rather than synthetic satin, as the latter inherently traps heat.

“When it starts to get hot, that sweat can have other unwanted effects,” she said.

wrap your hair

If a silk or satin pillowcase is out of the question, you can achieve a similar effect by wrapping a silk or satin scarf around your hair.

Absolute Collagen experts say they “reduce friction, lock in hair's natural moisture, and can also reduce the chance of split ends.”

Similarly, you should replace your scrunchie with a silk or satin scrunchie when you sleep for the same reason.

If you don't want to buy one, experts recommend putting your hair in loose braids.

have a loose hairstyle

Dermatologists recommend wearing your hair loosely pulled back, rather than pulled tightly back in a ponytail or bun, AAD writes.

She also suggests using covered elastic bands made specifically for hair styling and trying different hairstyles that don't tug at your hair.

Gently shampoo and condition

The AAD pointed out that rubbing shampoo all over your hair can cause damage.

Instead, gently massage the shampoo into your scalp and work the shampoo through the length of your hair as you rinse it from your scalp, rather than rubbing it into the rest of your hair.

The dermatologist also emphasized the importance of always using conditioner after shampooing.

Use leave-in hair conditioners and hair oils

If your hair is coarse, frizzy, tangled, or dry, using a leave-in hair conditioner or hair oil may help improve your hair.

“If your hair is dry, try to find a nourishing oil containing hyaluronic acid, coconut oil or castor oil,” the expert told The Sun.

“If you have fine hair, look for one that contains argan oil or grapeseed oil. This is a great way to lock in moisture and revive your curls overnight.”