Things You're Doing That are Secretly Damaging Your Hair

We've heard all of the basic things, right? Use shampoos and conditioners that have the proper ingredients, avoid harsh chemicals, use a shower-head filter to remove hard minerals, etc. While those are all good tips, this post is for my more advanced hair-care tricks. These are the things I bring up to my clients and see the lightbulb flip on above their head. Sometimes we are damaging our hair in much smaller ways that add up to extreme breakage over time.

Sunscreen

Both our face and body need sunscreen to protect us, but are you protecting your hair? When applying sunscreen, put your hair up and out of the way until your body is dry, and the sunscreen has set. Did you know sunscreen can turn hair extensions orange? A lot of these products contain Avobenzone, and blonde hair extensions are at risk with this ingredient. I suggest finding a mineral-based sunscreen as these do not contain Avobenzone. If you are someone who doesn't wear hair extensions, you still want to avoid sunscreen exposure to your hair as the ingredients can dry it out and cause matting.

How to Properly Protect Your Hair from the Sun

Sun exposure can lighten your hair color, natural or artificial. It also can suck out the moisture and damage your hair. If not sunscreen, what can you use? Heat protectants are the key in this situation. I love Paul Mitchell's Hot Off the Press heat protectant as it goes on dry hair. These products protect from hot tools like your curling iron, and from the sun's harmful rays. Apply your heat protectant before heading out for a beach day this summer!

Spraying Your Perfume

I love to smell good and have gotten really into finding a signature scent this year! One thing to know about perfume, it is HIGH in alcohol content. We are taught one of the best places to spray perfume is on our neck, right where our hair can fall victim. Put your hair up and out of the way while spraying perfume to avoid spraying it directly onto your hair. Once the perfume dries, the alcohol dissipates, and you are able to put your hair back down. Hair perfumes have become popular as of recent, and you have to be careful with these as well. Check the ingredient listing before spraying it on your hair to make sure it is not high in alcohol content or other harsh ingredients.

Purse Strap and Seat Belt

This one sounds wild, but you would be surprised how many of my client's hair has been victimized by these things. Are you noticing breakage on one side more than the other? Take some extra care in making sure your hair is not being trapped under your purse strap or seat belt. A big part of avoiding breakage is just noticing the little things like this. It may be fine once or twice, but just imagine how many times we actually utilize these straps in a day.

Sunglasses

Do you wear your sunglasses on the top of your head? Then you know where I am going with this one. The hair around our face is super fragile and prone to breakage. When we take our sunglasses off our head and it pulls those little pieces in front, we are damaging it more and more each time.

Brushing Your Hair Before Washing

I talk about this a lot, but it makes such a difference! When our hair is wet, it's in the weakest state. The last thing you want to do is try and fight tangles while you're shampooing. When you brush it before the shower, it makes the whole process easier, safer for your strands, and cleaner overall.

Trusting the Yuka App

Some of you will hate me for this one, but it's true. While the Yuka app can be great for choosing food items, it doesn't have the knowledge to differentiate hair care. Here's a few reasons why:

• It is oversimplified- It will give a bad rating based on one ingredient without considering the formulation as a whole.

  
  

• Misinterpreting data- This plays into the oversimplification a little more, but Yuka doesn't have the tools to understand an ingredient backed by scientific evidence. If you can't eat it safely, it is "bad". Unfortunately for Yuka, it is never that simple when it comes to cosmetics and hair care.

  
  

• Doesn't consider hair type or needs: Yuka overlooks good options for certain hair types due to ingredients that may not be perfect for everybody.

  
  

• Fearmongering- Yuka highlights potential risks of even the most common ingredients and never goes into strict detail. This creates unnecessary anxiety about certain hair care products.

My suggestion? Consult an expert (Hairstylist, Trichologist, Dermatologist) or do your own research on ingredients.

Did any of these tips help you? Let me know how you're going to switch things up in the comments below! As always, if you need hair help, don't be afraid to reach out! You can also set up a "Scalp Assessment" at the clinic on our website. We will take a look at your scalp on a microscopic level, while also checking out your overall hair health. Springfield Trichology Clinic is located at 484 South Durkin Drive in Springfield, IL. Hope to see you soon!

-Sam, Trichologist/Hair Loss Practitioner