Bad Hair Habits That Make Your Hair Sick And In Need of Rehabilitation!

Hair is a fabric and like so, it has specific needs.  Bad hair habits jeopardize the integrity of your hair and scalp.

Take a moment and write down your daily hair routine and compare it to what I considered to be the ten deadly sins to healthy and shiny hair:

1.  NOT MOISTURIZING YOUR ENDS

Your natural scalp oil is vital to maintain shiny healthy hair. These oils contain ceramides, lipids, and vitamin E; just to name a few.

Long hair tend to suffer a lot because this nutritious oil does not reach the ends of the hair. As results, the ends may become fragile and more susceptible to splitting. Nourishing your ends with a serum such as Rene Furterer Karite Repairing Serum  or Rene Furterer Overnight Repair and cutting as little as ¼ of an inch every 6-8 weeks will aid in reducing dryness and split ends.

2.   USING LOW END SHAMPOOS FILLED WITH SULFATES, SODIUM CHLORIDE AND OTHER HARSH INGRIEDIENTS

It's been documented that shampoos with sulfates and sodium chloride can dry your hair and increase color fade. The majority of the shampoos out there can create lots of build up on your scalp and hair strands. Build up can make your hair look dull and lifeless.   Using a clarifying shampoo at least 2x a month can help remove the build up. However, using good quality shampoos with quality ingredients can transform your hair from dull, damage and dehydrated into fabulous brilliant hair and healthy scalp.

3.   NOT PROTECTING YOUR HAIR FROM ULTRA VIOLET RAYS

Protecting our skin against solar rays is something that may come naturally to us. Ultra violet rays type A and B does not only cause havoc to our skin, but also to our hair and scalp. These rays have the power to cause internal damage to the cuticle and scalp. This damage manifests in the form of brittleness, split ends, hair loss, breakage and loss of color pigmentation. For additional information please read my article on Protecting Your Hair Color Against the Summer Solar Rays.

4.   NOT CUTTING YOUR HAIR WHEN YOU HAVE SPLIT ENDS

I am totally guilty! I have very long hair and it hurts when I need to cut it. Yet, I know that it must be done to prevent hair from splitting further. Cutting my splits keeps my hair healthy and strong.

5.   EXCESSIVE USE OF HOT TOOLS, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT PROTECTION

You know the drill: Minimize improper use of hot tools. When in use, apply heat protection cream or serum. This step will minimize split ends formation and cuticle damage. Always follow manufacturer's recommendations on heat setting. Fine hair needs lower temperature than thicker hair.

6.   CONSTANTLY USING TIGHT PONY TAILS

If you use tight pony tails everyday, there is a big chance that you'll have some hair loss around your hairline. This is called traction alopecia. To reduce the risk of traction alopecia, wear pony tails sporadically and not as tight.


7.   OVER PROCESSING HAIR WITH CHEMICALS (relaxer, bleach & color)

If your hair is relaxed or straightened with sodium hydroxide, it is important to avoid permanent color services and highlighting during this appointment. When your hair is relaxed opt for a demi-permanent or semi-permanent color to prevent over processing and further damage to the cuticle.

Hair is the strongest at regrowth and it can tolerate strong chemicals more readily than mid lengths and ends. Prevent overlapping color or highlights to reduce, dramatically, cuticle damage.  To restore damage hair to a healthy shiny state, requires commitment and sacrifices (e.g. cutting and/or taking a break from color). Preventive measures, however, only requires  maintenance.


8.   OVER WASHING YOUR HAIR

Use lukewarm water when washing your hair. Hot water tends to dry your hair and encourage color fade. Cool water promotes luminosity and helps to smooth the cuticle. When the hair cuticle is smooth, there is less frizz.

Shampooing your hair more than twice a week, especially with shampoos containing sulfates and sodium chloride can strip your of its natural oils. These cleansers promote dryness and frizzy hair. If you have oily scalp or your lifestyle requires you to shampoo more than twice a week, use dry or cream shampoos instead. These shampoos are very effective, provided that they are from a reputable company.

9.   RINSING CONDITIONER TOO FAST

Many women tend to skip conditioner when they feel their hair is oily or limp. However, hair is never oily. Your scalp is. To tackle this issue, the proper thing to do is to apply conditioner only on the mid-lengths and ends. Your hair benefits more when conditioner is left to process for at least 3 minutes, especially if you have dry hair.


10. USING THE WRONG HAIR CARE LINE FOR YOUR HAIR TYPE

 This is the most important step to healthy shiny hair. Always choose shampoos to treat your scalp and hair needs. If you have oily scalp and dry hair, use shampoos that will control oil build-up. Use conditioners to hydrate your mid-lengths and ends. At least once a month, pamper your mid-lengths and ends to a deep hair mask treatment to encourage luminosity and manageability. 

For fine and limp hair Use a haircare line that adds volume, density and body to your hair. Yes! there's a volumizing conditioner with this hair care line.

For thinning hair Use a haircare line that promotes healthy hair growth and thickness.

For very dry hair & scalp Use a haircare line that adds moisture and nourishment to your hair.

For oily scalp Use a haircare line that purifies your scalp by removing sebum. Remember to apply conditioner only on the mid-lengths and ends.

For dull hair Use a haircare line that intensifies shine and brilliance.

For frizzy and unruly hair Use a haircare line that smooths and eliminates frizz.

For curly hair Use a haircare line that quenches and defines your curls.

For weak hair Use a haircare line that strengthens, fortifies and prevents breakage.

For color treated hair Use a shampoos free of sulfates and appropriate for your secondary need

For dandruff and flaky scalp Use a haircare line that will normalize scalp exfoliation and/or remove sebum build up.

At my salon, Nolan Vincent Salon, we offer a hair care line that is specific to any hair care need. Because hair and scalp are not created equal, we carry Rene Furterer. It's the best hair care line to promote healthy hair and scalp

Maria Arias :)

Owner of Nolan Vincent Salon