Damaged hair is an issue that affects many people at some time in their lives. Lifestyle and environmental factors can also decrease hair quality over time, leaving you feeling disappointed and even self-conscious.
The good news is that poor hair quality doesn’t happen arbitrarily. Instead, there is usually something in your environment you can change to help it. If you can find the source of the issue, fixing it is generally straightforward.
Let’s take a look at some ways to prevent hair damage now.
Be Careful When Your Hair Is Wet
First, be mindful when your hair is wet. Heavy, water-logged hair is more prone to mechanical damage from brushing because of the increased force required to move combs through all the strands.
If you can, avoid brushing wet hair. Instead, wait for it to dry before combing it through. Don’t brush it aggressively and use a comb with wider teeth to avoid having to pull too hard on your scalp.
Use Hair-Strengthening Products
You can also try using hair-strengthening products. Brands like Olaplex can help to replace some of the lost structural material on the outside of hair strands, making them more robust.
The stronger hair becomes, the more resilient it is to things like breakage and split ends. Hair is better able to maintain its shape and form, making it more resistant to the wearing of headwear or even UV light.
Protect Hair From The Sun
Speaking of UV, protecting the hair from the sun can also enhance its strength significantly. Wearing a hat or staying indoors during the hottest part of the day prevents sun rays from doing damage.
Ultraviolet light is dangerous for the hair because it causes damage on a micro level. High-energy beans damage organic molecules in their hair’s surface, causing them to fray and split apart. Over time, this results in damage at the macroscopic level, and breaks become visibly apparent.
Sleep On A Silk Pillowcase
Another somewhat strange idea to prevent hair damage is to sleep on a silk pillowcase. Softer material protects the hair and prevents it from fraying as easily. Your hair can glide over it instead of becoming snagged and entwined, as is common on a regular cotton pillow.
Drink More
You can also try drinking more to prevent damaged hair. Better hydration improves the health of your hair follicles, encouraging them to build robust new hair shafts.
Make sure you eat a balanced diet, too. Hair follicles require all the right micronutrients to build healthy and robust hair.
Don’t Overwash Your Hair
You should also avoid overwashing your hair. While washing it frequently might feel good, it can strip it of its natural oils, leading to dryness, fracturing, and breakage.
Keep your washing routine simple. Most professionals recommend washing your hair with a small quantity of shampoo every other day if you are prone to greasiness. If you aren’t, you may be able to get away with washing it even less frequently than this.
So, there you have it: some ways to prevent hair damage. Which will you try?