7 Ways You Could Be Sabotaging Your Hair and Not Even Know It ...

1. Washing Too Often

One of the most common ways you could be sabotaging your hair is washing it too much. I used to wash my hair every single day. I liked the feeling of having a super, squeaky clean scalp, yet my hair was simultaneously dry and brittle in the process. It also hardly grew at all. Try to wash your hair every other day if you can. If you have to rinse it and condition it, fine, but avoid washing it too much since shampoos contain ingredients that strip hair of its natural oils. Optimally, go two days without washing your hair, and wash it on the third for best results. Your hair will be shinier, softer, stronger and faster to grow.

2. Drying Too Long

Drying your hair for a long period of time can make your hair frizzy, brittle and cause it to break from the constant heat exposure. Try not to dry your hair for more than five minutes. Let it air dry as much as possible before you dry it and after you comb it once you get out of the shower.

3. High Heat Setting

When drying your hair, also check the heat setting. Be sure it isn’t set to high, and preferably, set it to medium. You’ll still get enough heat to dry it in a quick amount of time, but not so much to where it burns your hair.

4. Not Conditioning

I know many of you who have issues with oily hair might argue with me here, but conditioning your hair is so important. Everyday wear, natural styling techniques, washing, etc. strip hair of natural oils and conditioning helps replace those. Even if your hair is oily, buy a conditioner made for oily hair. I also recommend using multiple conditioners made by natural brands for those of you with dry hair. Most more natural and organic brands of conditioner don’t contain alcohol or chemicals that other commercial conditioners do, which can strip your hair of natural oils.

5. Product Overload

If you’re a product junkie, then you could be sabotaging your hair in a big way. Serums, sprays, gels, etc. are all styling agents that can strip hair of natural oils, make it stiff and prone to break, and make your hair hard to comb through. The exceptions are leave-in conditioners, blow-out conditioning creams, etc., which can naturally help your hair heal. If you must use a product, try to pick just one to use per day, not three or four.

6. Too Much Color Treatment

Coloring your hair looks great, but it also hurts your hair. If you’re going to color your hair, keep it to once every six months optimally, but at least every three months, just to be safe. Also,be sure you condition your hair everyday if you color it to prevent further damage.

7. Your Diet

If your diet is lacking healthy, whole proteins, fats and lots of fresh produce, your hair will suffer. You need these foods to maintain good hair. They build collagen, give your hair nutrients that help it to grow, and can prevent it from breaking. Hair is made of collagens that are manufactured by proteins. Eat whole food sources of protein, mostly plants, and be sure you eat enough healthy fats. Healthy fats help keep hair moist and supple, making it less prone to break and look dry.

Caring for your hair really isn’t too difficult once you get these things mastered efficiently. I feel sure that any of you can change your hair in a dramatic way like I did, with just a few months of implementing these tips. What’s a way you feel like you might be sabotaging you hair?