Don’t Practice Bad Habits That May Be Sabotaging Your Hair

By Joy Ross CONTRIBUTOR

As a ‘seasoned’ stylist, I’ve seen a lot! There are so many little things that make us crazy! Bad hair care habits are self-sabotaging. They prevent your hair from being its shiny, healthy best. Plus, these bad habits make our job so much harder.

Hair is delicate. Coloring, bleaching, inexpensive shampoo and conditioner, repeated heat processing, and even the environment here in the sunny South, will eventually take its toll on the hair.

There are many hair care habits that can either keep your hair in great condition or damage it. You decide which you would rather have. The ultimate compliment is when someone asks where you got your hair done. I strive to make every client be that person. Are you guilty of any of these? If so, please stop. It’s the little things that can make or break your hair health. Literally. Putting your hair in a ponytail constantly, especially in the same spot, will cause breakage, especially if your hair is highlighted. When you pull your hair too tight repeatedly, breakage occurs in the crown area and can also weaken the hairline causing the follicle to be damaged and recede. Eventually hair loss can be permanent. Varying the position of the ponytail, better yet no ponytail, will make your hair happier. The claw type clips are worse. They go into the hair, grabbing it while breaking the hair that’s in the way of it closing. Of course, it goes without saying that at home color and bathroom trims are a huge no. Kitchen magicians always end up spending way more money and time in the long run.

I know salon services can be costly. However, as a conscientious stylist I use the best products on the hair and try to only do what is necessary. Please be mindful that these products cost us money, not to mention all other expenses. Also, using the right products and shampoo will keep your hair healthy and keep your color vibrant longer. Nothing is worse than spending money to get a great salon color, cut, etc. and then you use a cheap over-the-counter shampoo and conditioner. The reason you can buy a liter of shampoo at a store for $6.00 is because it’s filled with waxes and oils that make the hair feel good but only causing buildup. It may have one good ingredient, but the rest is filler. Hence the bargain price. It will dry out your hair, strip your color, and be extremely counterproductive. You are only in the salon a short time. The things you do, or don’t, between appointments is key. Not to be snarky but a great cut and color stays with you a lot longer than that expensive dinner you ate last night.

Your hair is the most fragile when it’s wet. Do not brush or pull your hair when it’s wet.

Brush when dry, wide tooth comb with wet hair and don’t pull tangles. Be gentle. Do not shampoo hair every day. Use dry shampoo to help in between. This helps keep hair healthy, color lasts longer and it saves you money on shampoo. Hair will not get oily after it goes through a few times of you not washing every day. The oil is the scalp’s defense to it being constantly shampooed. You can rinse your hair but don’t shampoo every day. You will thank me in a few weeks. Your hair will look and act better on the second and even third day. I promise!! You can dampen and reactivate the mousse or other styling products already in your hair by putting a little heat from the blow dryer on your roots.I hope this helps you to understand how important these few details in hair care will make your life easier, hair more cooperative and me ecstatic.

Joy Ross is owner of Style It Salon in Old Town Bluffton. styleitsalon.com

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