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6 Bad Habits That Can Ruin Your Hair

Whether you’re someone who is very conscious about the state of her hair or not, you don’t want to see or feel like it’s breaking or thinning out. Sometimes, we have little things we do habitually that negatively affect the health of our hair. In most cases, these bad habits are devlped subsconsciously and we…

Whether you’re someone who is very conscious about the state of her hair or not, you don’t want to see or feel like it’s breaking or thinning out. Sometimes, we have little things we do habitually that negatively affect the health of our hair. In most cases, these bad habits are devlped subsconsciously and we often do these things withut even realising they have any reprecussions at all.

6 Bad Habits That Negatively Affect Our Hair

Steamy Showers

It’s sometimes more relaxing to take a steam bath, or wash our hair with hot water. Some of us have just gotten into the habit of taken hot baths which isn’t only bad for our skin in the long run,  but also actually dehydrates your hair strands. When the strands of your hair are dehydrated, your hair becomes dry and brittle, making it easy to simply snap and fall out. According to Ryan Welter, MD, a Boston-based hair transplant surgeon, the heat washes away the hairs protective oils, and forces the scalp pores to produce oil in overtime. This damages the roots and causes shedding. If you’re completely averse to using cold water, use warm water instead.

Using Hot Styling Tools Too Regularly

We are perfectly capable of styling our hair without blow dryers, and hot combs. Yes, they make the work slightly easier, but the heat these tools use to straighten and curl damages the proteins that make up your hair and its protective cuticle. This in turn compromises the moisture balance and leaves the hair prone to breakage. If you must use these tools, do it as infrequently as possible and use a heat protection spray.

Wearing Tight Hairstyles

I will admit I am guilty of this as well. For some of us, a tight ponytail is our go-to hair style. Unfortunately, hairstyles that are too tight cause too much tension for the hair follicles, damaging them and leaving permanent scars. Eventually, this may lead to alopecia, which is a condition that permanently weakens the follicle and makes it impossible for hair to grow.  A good sign that your hair is packed too tightly is if it’s pulling on your skin.

Using Very Strong Gelling Products

All you Yoruba people that gel your hair every day, this one is for you. If your regular hairspray or gel is one of those ones that say “extra strength” or “super hold” or something along those lines, you are only doing yourself.  The stronger the gel, the higher the alcohol content; and alcohol makes your hair dry and brittle. This is why your hair falls out when you try to brush or comb it after gelling.

Scratching Your Head

According to Dr. Bauman, an itchy scalp may result in hair loss due to scratching-induced hair damage. Once the hair cuticle is damaged, the hair fiber is prone to breakage. You can relieve itchiness with a shampoo that contains selenium, zinc pyrithione, or tea tree oil – check the back of the product for ingredients.

Washing Hair Sparsely

For most people, it’s not a big deal to go weeks without washing their hair. We believe it’s fine because we have all our oils and lotions and styling products. Some of us even have dry shampoo which just makes life very convenient. However, not washing our hair allows all the product we use, and dandruff, to build up on our scalp. This then clogs hair follicles and stunts growth.

Source: Prevention

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