Could you be harming your hair without even knowing it? The majority of hair damage isn’t caused by those once-in-a-while major tress-traumas, but by the little things you probably don’t even think twice about doing every day. If you’ve been noticing more hair loss and breakage than usual, these eight everyday habits could be the culprits.
1. Rough towel-drying
Rubbing your wet hair down with a towel can disturb the cuticle and cause breakage and frizz. Instead, let your hair air dry a little, and then gently blot dry with a towel.
2. Sleeping with wet hair
Although drying your hair after a late-night shower is the last thing you want to do before jumping into bed, sleeping on wet hair can cause frizziness in the morning due to the friction from your hair on the pillow as it dries overnight. Dry your hair at least halfway by blotting with a towel or using a low heat setting on your hair dryer.
3. Using the wrong brush
Wet hair follicles are especially fragile, meaning brushing incorrectly can lead to breakage. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb to comb through your hair while you condition with one of the conditioners from the Schwarzkopf essence ULTIME® lines in the shower. This will help to gently distribute the conditioners evenly throughout your wet hair. Continue using your wider comb after towel drying your hair, and only move to brushes with finer bristles once your hair is dry.
4. Brushing from top to bottom
Brushing from root to tip causes stress on those tresses, which can lead to knots and breakage. Instead, start combing at the ends to work out the worst kinks, and then work your way up to the scalp.
5. Excessive heat styling
This is probably the toughest habit to break for the beauty girls, but applying heat to your hair should be done sparingly. Try targeting only the areas that need a tweak, rather than hitting your entire head with heat.
6. Not changing your products seasonally
If you’re not switching out your shampoo and conditioner at the start of every season, you should be. Your locks have different needs in the summer than they do in the winter. For example, using deep conditioners from dry summers can overcompensate the lightweight moisturizing needs of your winter locks, leaving them weighed down and lifeless. We suggest using Schwarzkopf essence ULTIME® Omega Repair® Shampoo and Conditioner for damaged hair in the summer and Schwarzkopf essence ULTIME® Amber+ Oil Nutrition® Shampoo and Conditioner for dry hair in the winter.
7. Applying product to your roots
Applying product directly to your roots can leave your hair looking limp. Start at the ends instead so your strands can absorb more of the product’s beneficial ingredients. Only shampoos should be applied to the roots.
8. Wearing your hair up all the time
Using an elastic on the same parts of your hair everyday can cause frictional damage. Try switching up your pony or topknot for a braid.
If you’re committing any of these eight hair don’ts regularly, your hair could be paying big time. Take note and make some simple changes to your daily hair care routine and you’ll be on your way to better hair in no time.