If you want healthy hair, then sometimes, defence is the best form of attack. Indeed, to have tresses that look properly taken care of, you shouldn’t focus only on nourishing, caressing and brushing your hair lovingly; you also need to take preventative steps to avoid damage to those lovely locks of yours, strengthening them in the process.

Unfortunately, many people don’t realise the importance of proper hair care until it’s too late. In such circumstances, it really is a case of ‘’hair today, gone tomorrow’’. 

Not us, though; we subscribe to the former Augustinian friar and theologian Martin Luther’s wise words, when he pronounced that ‘’the hair is the richest ornament of women’’. Take care of it today, and everyday, with these top tips on how to prevent hair damage and breakage. 

USE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT 

You cannot just use any equipment and expect great results when it comes to your hair. This is particularly true where heat is concerned. Think hard about using hair straighteners, hairdryers, and curling tongs every day. You may need to consider using these products in moderation if you want long healthy hair. 

This is because styling tools that deploy heat, such as hairdryers and straighteners, will likely damage your hair if used regularly. Even more pertinently, should you suffer from fine or dry hair, be aware that excess heat can weaken your locks further, and your hair could experience damage and frizz from exposure to such high heat levels. 

You can also use heat protection spray to prevent your hair from getting damaged when using equipment that has a heating element in it. Use straighteners or curlers on the minimum setting because using them at a maximum temperature just damages your locks even more. If you need to use a hairdryer, keep it six inches away from your hair and avoid using it on one spot for too long, constantly moving the air around to avoid scorching. Go further, and invest in a heat protection product to prevent damage.  

You can also use shampoos, conditioners, heat protection sprays, hair serum, or oils for extra protection against using equipment on our locks too much. These items have been developed by professionals who understand how their tools work so that you can trust them when using them with your hairstyles at home. 

TARGET SPLIT ENDS EARLY ON 

Split ends won’t disappear of their own volition. So, as soon as you spot a split end, snip it. This will prevent the hair from breaking and splitting further up the strand. You need to be targeting those ends before they become an issue that is harder to fix with just a pair of scissors. 

Split ends can cause a lot of trouble, so it is best to prevent them before they happen. Make sure you are targeting split ends early on as a way to prevent hair damage and breakage. It can be tempting but don’t go crazy with scissors!

Only cut the damaged bits off because too much cutting will leave your hair short and weak which could be damaging in itself. While split ends themselves may not directly cause women’s hair loss, they can lead to other issues that may contribute to hair loss.

Once the split ends have been snipped, you will want to keep them from coming back. This is where targeting split ends early on once again comes in handy. If you are targeting those damaged strands before they get too bad, it will be much easier for your hair to grow back healthy and strong instead of dealing with breakage all over again down the road. Talk about (s)nipping something in the bud!

There are various types of hairdressing scissors out there, so you’ll need to make sure which ones fit your needs. 

KEEP YOUR HAIR MOISTURISED 

You need to keep your hair moisturized if you want to prevent hair damage and breakage. This can be done by observing the following steps: 

• Use a good quality shampoo and conditioner.
• Find high-quality hair oil or serum.
• Make sure to apply the product throughout the entire length of your hair, from the roots to the tips. 
• Try a deep conditioning treatment once a week.
• Avoid shampoos and conditioners that contain sulphates (chemicals used as cleansing agents) as these can strip your hair of the natural oils needed to keep your locks healthy.

These steps should help keep your hair healthy, strong, and free from damage. Moisture keeps the hair shafts flexible, which makes them less likely to break. On the flip side, If your hair isn’t packed with moisture, the cuticles will open up, letting in the air’s moisture and causing frizz.

Moisture also prevents split ends from occurring by keeping strands together at their tips instead of splitting into two or more parts where they meet with other hairs on their way down towards scalp level. This is especially important when working with straight styles because without proper hydration such as using oils before blow-drying then doing so may result in more heat damage than needed.

SHAMPOO YOUR HAIR CORRECTLY

In order to shampoo your hair correctly, experts recommend that you actually need to do it twice. The first shampooing is used to cleanse the scalp, whereas the second shampooing should be done when you have more shampoo in your hands, worked up into something of a lather. 

This will provide deep cleansing and allow for proper penetration of moisture into each strand of hair which can prevent breakage over time. It’s also vital to thoroughly and comprehensively wash off all the shampoo or conditioner you’ve used, leaving no residue remaining overnight, which runs the risk of causing dirtiness or greasiness by morning. 

When washing your hair, always use a shampoo that is meant for your scalp type. If you have an oily scalp, use a shampoo that is designed to cleanse the scalp and remove excess oil. 

BRUSH YOUR HAIR REGULARLY 

Make sure to carefully brush your hair every day. This will help to distribute the natural oils evenly throughout your hair, and it will also help to prevent damage and breakage. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush, and brush from the bottom of your hair up to the top (doing so from top to bottom can cause more breakage and compound knots to the bottom of your hair). Take your time and be gentle; you don’t want to cause any further damage, after all.

When your hair’s wet, it is more prone to damage and breakage. That’s why it’s important to take special care when brushing it when wet. Make sure to use a wide-tooth comb, start at the ends of your hair and work your way up. Don’t brush too harshly, or you could damage your hair further. 

EAT YOUR WAY INTO BETTER HAIR HEALTH

They say that ‘you are what you eat’ and this is never truer than when considering your hair. Nope, you won’t suddenly grow spaghetti strands in place of your locks, but rather, your diet can play a major role in your hair health. Aside from Vitamin D, it’s also important to get sufficient Vitamin C, found in broccoli, oranges and more, as well as protein and biotin, found in eggs, and omega-3, prevalent in oily fish like salmon and mackerel. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

Those locks of yours aren’t luscious by luck. Instead, proper hair care involves both proactive and reactive steps. We hope you’ve found inspiration for healthier washing, drying and brushing methods today!