In the pursuit of beautiful locks, you may consider treatments that can damage your hair. Many women opt for popular treatments, thinking that the stylist knows what they're doing or it's worth the risk. But your hair could end up in a far worse condition. Here are some treatments that can damage your hair …
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1. Keratin
One of the treatments that can damage your hair has become very popular in recent years. Salons tout the Brazilian straightening treatment or keratin straightening as a miraculous way of getting straight hair that lasts for ages. However, it can contain harmful formaldehyde or methylene glycol. These treatments also subject the hair to high temperatures.
2. Extensions
Sure, extensions sound like the perfect way to get long hair fast, especially if yours doesn't seem to grow very much. But those lovely long locks can also be damaging. The problem is that they pull on your own hair; at worst it could actually cause patchy hair loss.
3. Bleaching
Bold, bright colors can look awesome if you've got the personality to carry it off. But these colors will only be really strong if you bleach your hair first. And the problem with bleaching is that it weakens the hair and makes it more vulnerable to damage and breaking. If you really want to dye your hair a strong color, it's best to keep your hair fairly short so that damaged hair won't take so long to grow out.
4. Perms or Chemical Straightening
Are women ever satisfied? If we have curly hair, we want it straight. If we have straight locks, we long for curls. Chemicals can give us the hair we wish we had, but at a price. Whether you use chemicals to straighten your hair or curl it, it's the same thing - you're using chemicals, and that is going to damage your hair.
5. Heat Treatments
Do you depend on your straighteners to tame your errant curls every day? Unfortunately, frequent use of straighteners may give you lovely smooth locks in the short term, but they'll suffer in the long term. The same is true of frequent blow drying. There are newer hairdryers on the market that claim to be kinder to your hair, such as ionic or ceramic dryers.
6. Weaves
Weaves have become popular among African American women as a way of getting long, straight hair. However, like extensions they can cause hair loss - and you can't be sure it will grow back. What's more, black hair is the type most vulnerable to damage, so subjecting it to a treatment that pulls at it can be risky.
7. Styles
Even the simple ponytail or braid can cause damage to your hair. What could you be doing wrong? Don't braid your hair when it's wet, or pull it very tight. Tight styles put stress on the hair just as extensions do, and if you wear a ponytail every day you could be causing repeated stress. Vary your style, and always use a soft band to tie your hair. And also use a good quality hairbrush.
If you are considering one of these treatments, do plenty of research into them. In the hands of a skilled practitioner you could be fine, but always be fully informed and don't go for cut-price treatments - it could cost you more in the long run. What is your worst hair disaster?
Comments
Cee: @nina I agree! I felt that was added comment wasn't necessary because all types of people use weaves!!!! and it's only damaging if you use glue and don't change frequently! it has actually grown my hair back so that's unfortunate for their statistic
The: Your hair
Crystal: I agree with this article with much, these things can defo damage our hair
Nina: Yea you're obviously not black when speaking of weaves but as Stacy explained, weave can keep our hair from being damaged from heat because it is braided up as long as you take care of it while you have your weave in and also weave isn't only popular among african American women. Women of other races also wear weave, especially celebrities.
alicia: trend among "african americans" LOL
Alyssa: What is this "black hair" you speak of? The amount of ignorance is almost too much to handle. There is no black hair, there is COARSE hair. It is a texture that is not only found within the African-American community.
Jc: I completely agree with the whole Keratin damage. As for bleaching, there are high lift powders which are not as damaging as bleach. Everything in moderation is usually fine. Unfortunately most can't follow the moderation plan. Stylists make money off all services and it's disheartening that more than none go for the almighty dollar. Those of us who are more concerned with the health of hair and not compromising the integrity of hair are few and far between. As a professional licensed cosmetologist who specializes in color, I appreciate your article. Let's keep educating our clients and be real. There are also great alternatives to extensions out there, try clip in, they are no where near as damaging and more of "Hollywood " then you realize wears them. Check out Ken Paves and Jessica Simpson, they have revolutionalized the world if extensions and since opened the market for affordable clip in extensions. Just remember stick with human hair always, it's much easier to work with and more versatile.
Kendria: I agree with Liyah G... I wear weave as well as a protective style and my hair has grown from this method. More research should have been done. And as long as hair is properly managed you can wear any kind of hair style chemical treated hair or whatever you choose. Just be cautious and care for your hair girls.
Liyah: I don't agree with some of these, weaves actually protect "black hair" from being damage from heat and breakage. I've been wearing weave for years to protect my real hair and now my real hair is just as long as the weave I wear.
alicia: WEAK. I wear weaves all the time. Hair can still grow lovely if taken are of and installed correctly.
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