5 Hair Practices That Are Damaging Your Hair

In this technology-driven age, we have access to unlimited information, and sometimes it can be hard to tell which sources are reliable and which are questionable.

This is the case with tips and advice on our hair, too. Are you still searching for the best product or style that is guaranteed to provide you with strong and beautiful hair?

If you haven’t yet found a couple of “go-to” styles, you may want to take a step back and see if you are doing any of the following things that could be causing your hair more damage than good.

Shampooing throughout the whole length of hair

Contrary to the popular opinion and advertisements, you don’t need to shampoo your whole mane. Shampoos are meant to clean and exfoliate your scalp and the roots of the hair by removing excess oil, dirt, and grime. Shampoos that you buy off the shelf may contain artificial substances that dry your hair quickly, which leads to split ends and other hair problems.

If you use shampoo too frequently, the problem multiplies, and your hair will lose its moisture fast. Many hair stylists recommend using a sulfate-free shampoo so your hair won’t be stripped of too many natural oils*. This is also why a lot of women choose to “co-wash” and only shampoo once a month or so.

If you have short hair, it is difficult to shampoo just your scalp, but try your best to concentrate on those roots. Of course, this is a little easier if your hair is longer.

Once you are done with the shampooing, apply a conditioner to the remaining hair, as it will help you in moisturizing your hair and maintaining it in perfect health. Natural oils* are highly preferred, but you may also use deep conditioners for the job.

Pulling your hair back tightly in ponytails or buns

You may be tempted to go for ponytails or buns for a clean and professional look, but statistically speaking, ponytails and buns are some of the primary styles that cause hair damage.

These hairstyles may help you in hiding your hair problems, are quick on-the-go styles and require less maintenance than other hairstyles, but they ultimately end up in hair loss, hair breakage, and split ends. When you pull your hair tightly to form a ponytail or a bun, you are creating immense stress at the root of your hair, which leads to hair breakage and hair loss.

Consistent pulling of your hair on a daily basis will eventually lead to a multitude of hair problems, which can be better avoided by using wraps and headbands* that aren’t as tight. You should also avoid using elastic bands or even hair ties*, as they cling on to your hair, causing it to weaken at a single point over time.

Improper use of bobby pins

We in the natural community love our bobby pins*! They can save the day in a lot of cases. But, have you ever considered the quality of the pins that you use?

Normally, bobby pins* create friction, and if not used properly, can cause cuts and scratches on your scalp. This will eventually lead to hair loss problems, and with prolonged use, bobby pins can also cause hair damage due to the stress and chaffing that it causes on hair strands.

Most bobby pins are coated with black paint, which peels away after a few uses, revealing a metal frame underneath. These metal surfaces are prone to rust, and can lead to infections and other health problems. It is always safe to invest in high-quality bobby pins and use them sparingly to enjoy healthy hair and also a bruise-free scalp.

Marley hair for marley twists

I’ve gotten Marley twists twice in the past two years. I loved them! So, I was shocked when a friend told me that Marley hair isn’t good-quality hair for extensions*.

Twisting your hair with force, or burdening it with unwanted weight from extensions* will pull your hair from its roots with great tensile stress, which will eventually lead to hair loss from the roots.

It is also common to experience hair breakage and split ends due to excessive use of Marley hair. If you do decide to wear this style, make sure you are properly moisturizing your hair even within the twists.

Cotton scarves for updo’s

The last on my list is for all of my ladies who love a good pineapple. I’ll admit that I still use bandanas that I’ve had for years when I want to through my hair up out of my face.

This is a no-no though. Just like we need to sleep on satin or silk pillow cases, the same goes for the types of scarves we use.

Cotton is a rough fibrous material that traps moisture, and the strands will catch on to your hair by locking it in between the rough fibers.

This will make your hair dry, and will lead to split ends and breakages. Instead, try silk or other similar materials that will not trap moisture, and are relatively smooth in their texture to avoid your hair getting locked into the fibrous strands.