Common Causes of Damaged Hair (And Healthy Solutions)

Are you tired of dealing with split ends, brittle strands, and breakage? Maybe you’re having a hard time getting your hair to grow? While everyone can agree that your hair doesn’t define who you are as a person, it impacts how you look and feel.

It is for these reasons that most people have daily hair care routines to keep their tresses intact. Though developing a regular system is ideal, some processes could be doing more harm than good. If you’ve been having hair problems that go beyond an “off day,” you could be making some of these common mistakes. 

Harsh Ingredients

There are many hair care products on the market, but all of them are not created equally. Some products are comprised of ingredients like parabens, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, and phthalates, which can cause skin irritation, dry out your hair, and damage the protective layers of your hair. 

Take a moment to review the ingredients label on your hair care products. If you notice any of these ingredients, you should get rid of them and opt for healthier products like natural hair oils and organic shampoo or conditioner. 

Too Much Heat

From hair dryers to curling irons, heat-producing hair care appliances wreak havoc on your tresses. The high temperatures damage your hair from the cuticles, causing breakage. It also absorbs moisture causing brittleness and dryness. 

While heated styles are trendy, you must give your hair a break. Go a few days without using any styling tools. When applying heat, you must use protectants such as leave-in conditioner, essential oils, or styling lotion to reduce damage. 

Over-Processing

If you often perm, relax or color your hair, this could cause damage. While these things are okay to try here and there, processing your hair with harsh chemicals regularly can cause cuticle damage, breakage, and even hair loss. 

Though you enjoy the curly hair, A-symmetrical bobs, and the funky color changes, you’ll need to slow down on these types of styles to eliminate damage. It is highly recommended that you wait at least 8-10 weeks between sessions. In the meantime, try finding cute styles that allow you to feel good as you embrace your natural hair. 

Overwashing

Washing your hair is a good thing, but as the saying goes, too much of anything can be bad for you. While the frequency of when you wash your hair depends on your hair type, texture, and oil production, there are signs when you’re going overboard. If your hair is dry, brittle, flaky, or extra greasy, these are all red flags that you need to scale back. 

Lack of Hydration and Moisture

If your hair is always dry and brittle, this could be a sign of dehydration. Your hair obtains its moisture from the inside out, which is why drinking water and using hair care products to moisturize your tresses and scalp is vital.

It is recommended that you drink at least eight glasses of water each day for proper hydration. You should also moisturize your hair and scalp regularly (depending on your skin’s natural oil production). 

Tension

From having your braids put in too tight to throwing a rubber band around your ponytail, too much tension on the hair can lead to breakage. The style is practically tugging at your scalp and cuticles, which can pull complete strands right from the roots.

If you have a comb full of hair every time you take out your style or ponytail holder, this is a sign you’re wearing it too tight. The most effective solution would be to loosen the elastic band’s grip around your hair or give your hair a break by letting it hang down. 

Dealing with damaged hair is a pain. You spend all day picking pieces of hair off your comb, brush, sink, and clothes. Not to mention, no style seems to look good anymore. Your changed appearance weighs on you heavily, causing you to lose your confidence. Fortunately, you can improve the health and appearance of your hair.

Once you’ve identified the underlying cause of damage, simply incorporate the solutions provided above. Though it can take time, it won’t be long before you’re head over heels about your full, voluptuous, flawless-looking tresses. 

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