We all want strong, shiny, healthy hair. When you’re a kid, before heat and chemical treatments, your hair is silky, strong and beautiful. As we brush, comb, style, change colors, age, have our own children or even medical problems; our hair can become compromised. Breakage, split ends, dullness, dry scalp and even hair loss can become battles for the majority of our lives. Let’s look at how we can be better to our hair. 

Washing Your Hair Everyday

Hair has natural oils which are produced by the scalp and coated throughout. While, we don’t want to walk around with greasy hair, shampooing every day or too often can strip the oils from our hair and dry it out. Dry hair is more susceptible to split ends and breakage causing frizz, dullness, and a host of issues. Many products can help with scalp greasiness to delay between washings. Dry shampoo is a great product to use on the roots in between washings and extend the life of your hairs’natural oils. 

Rolling Around on Your Hair While Sleeping

Mechanical damage every night while your hair rubs on your pillow can be more damaging than you would think. Cotton, flannel, and polyester blends cause static and friction on your hair which makes them fray like an old rope. A silk pillowcase can help your hair slide around as you toss and turn (hopefully not too much) or enjoy some fun time with that special someone. A silk pillowcase or a silk bonnet will protect your precious lock from scrubbing together into knots and creating breakage points along the shaft. 

Heat Styling

We all do it and we know it compromises our hair. It’s one of the reasons children’s hair is so much more healthy and lustrous. Damage from heat styling can be mitigated by using great protective products and newer technology in heat styling products. But it’s best if you can avoid it where possible. Silk, heatless curlers and stylers are a great alternative to hot curling irons. You wrap your damp hair in them at night and sleep. Then you have the added convenience of not having to take the time to style your hair in the morning. Simply remove the silk heatless curler, adjust, and go. 

Chemical Treatments

No matter how much you spend at the salon, how great the products are, and how excellent your colorist is; chemical treatments compromise the health of your hair. Be sure to have enough time between these treatments and try to opt for a more grown-out look that requires less maintenance and fewer chemical treatments. Weigh the benefits of being blond versus the health and shine of your locks. Perms can be a thing of the past with the latest silk stylers for heatless curls at night. 

Brushing Wrong

Yes, you can brush wrong. Using the wrong brush, brushing while hair is wet, and brushing too aggressively can be some of the most damaging things you can do to your hair. When hair is wet, it is extremely fragile, use a comb and start at the ends working your way up carefully. Avoid ripping through hair from scalp to ends and aggressively pulling through tangles. Avoid dry brushing where possible but when necessary, use a fine bristle brush and work through the strands from bottom to top. 

Rubber Bands and Hair Ties

Squeezing the hair follicles together and putting friction on them by pulling the elastic off causes a lot of breakage, split ends, and frizz. Opt for silk scrunchies which can prevent kinks and damage. Silk slides across the hair shaft and cradles it in place rather than pinching it. Hair clips are also a great alternative to keep your hair up and not damage it. 

Wearing Hair in a Pony Tail to Bed

Again, hair ties are already a danger to your hair but scrubbing your head against the pillow while the hairs pull against the elastic causes more problems. Even with a silk pillowcase, this can be an issue. Use a silk bonnet, braid your hair, or use silk scrunchies instead.

Bad Products

Take a look at what is in your shampoo and conditioner. Too many drying agents to wash like sulfates and alcohol are going to strip and dry out your hair. You don’t have to break the bank to buy good products but you do have to be on the lookout for phthalates, parabens, sulfates, and silicones. Some silicones can make your hair look shiny and healthy while some can cling to hair and then pull away pieces of protein, stripping it. Talk to your salon professional about quality hair products. 

Wet Styling

Your hair is incredibly fragile while wet. Putting it in a ponytail, bun or braid while it’s too wet is not a good idea. Opt for air drying a bit longer and gently pulling back into a silk scrunchie or hair clip. 

Cotton Towel Drying

Drying your hair with a cotton towel and wrapping it in is a friction nightmare. While hair is in its most fragile state, you are scrubbing it with an abrasive material. Think about what happens when you scrub a towel against your skin after a shower, it exfoliates it. No one wants to exfoliate their hair. Use a gentle hair-drying method with a silk towel and never turn back. Your hair will thank you. 

Take time for your hair with simple silk products and stop friction and mechanical damage in its tracks. Silk pillows, scrunchies, bonnets, and towels will help protect your luscious locks from everyday damage.