Are you tired of dealing with dull, brittle, and damaged hair?
Do you dream of having beautiful, healthy locks that turn heads wherever you go?
We all know that our hair is one of our most valuable assets, and taking care of it should be a top priority.
In this article, we're going to reveal 10 proven ways to keep your hair looking its best and say goodbye to hair damage once and for all.
Table of Contents
The Importance of Hair Care
Our hair is more than just a fashion statement; it is a reflection of our overall health and well-being. Taking care of our hair is not just about looking good, but also about preserving the strength and vitality of our locks. Hair damage can occur due to a variety of reasons, including excessive styling, exposure to harsh chemicals, and environmental factors. It is important to understand the causes of hair damage in order to effectively prevent and treat it.
Understanding Hair Structure
Before we dive into the proven ways to keep your hair luscious and strong, let’s take it back to the basics and understand the structure of our hair. Each strand of hair is composed of three layers: the cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The cuticle is the outermost layer and acts as a protective shield and bodyguard for the inner layers. The cortex is the middle layer and provides strength and elasticity to the hair. It’s also packed with keratin protein and melanin (hello, hair strength and color!). Lastly, the medulla is the innermost layer and gives the hair its color. Understanding the structure of our hair can help us make informed decisions when it comes to hair care.
Don't know your hair type or want to learn more about your hair structure? Then read our blog on How to Know Your Hair Type.
Is Your Hair Calling for Help? How to Know If Your Hair is Damaged
Ever wonder what does damaged hair look like? You’d be surprised how many people don’t! It's not just about visible split ends or looking like unwashed dreads after a reggaie concert. Damaged hair often feels dry and brittle. It lacks shine and elasticity, tangles easily, and can even break off in extreme cases.
When hair gets hurt, the outer layer can break, rise, or even come off, leading to split ends and knots. The lifted outer layers also let more water get out. If you've ever been guilty of asking Google "how to know if your hair is damaged", remember that when your hair speaks, then it's time to listen.
10 Ways to Prevent Hair Damage
1. Avoid those nasty chemicals
Choosing the right hair products is crucial for maintaining healthy hair. Look for products that are specifically formulated with organic ingredients and free of chemicals including sulfates, silicones, salts, etc. These can strip the hair of its natural oils and cause dryness. Opt for a gentle, sulfate-free organic shampoo like our Recover Me Shampoo. Need a hair restart? Check out our Hydra Glow Hair Mask to help regenerate damaged hair with fight frizz.
Your skin absorbs around 60% of what you put on it. So why not give it organic products filled with natural ingredients, including proteins, vitamins, fruit extracts and essential oils. Agua de Cielo products are kind to your body and you’ll see the difference in your hair after only a few washes.
Want to learn more about these chemicals that could be secretly damaging your hair? Then find the links to our blog posts at the end of this article.
2. Protect from sun and heating tools
Extreme heat is essential for a healthy scalp… said no one ever. Heat can actually be pretty bad for your hair. This includes heat styling tools (straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers), hot water, and even the sun. Heat can dry out your hair, damage the outer layer, and make it easier to break.
But don’t worry, you can still get your tan on by following these guidelines:
- Use a good heat protectant before applying heating styling tools in your hair. Our Hair Hydrate 2-in-1 Leave-in & Thermal Protector will be your best friend. It has yogurt and jojoba oils that helps keep your hair hydrated and protected, without the extra weight.
- Use heat styling tools cautiously and don’t overdo it. Dyson has great tools that don't use heat and styles your hair like a star. If it’s a bit pricey, there should be more budget friendly alternatives.
- Try to wear a hat when outdoors and in direct sunlight. Don’t worry, just act like your a movie star hiding from the paparazzi. Avoid washing your hair with hot water. This strips your hair of its essential oils.
3. Don’t overdo it with the washing
Washing your hair too much can strip it of its natural oils and can remove its protective layer. This can make your hair look dry and lifeless.
Want to prevent this? Well glad you asked! You can try our Everything Serum 3-in-1 pre-wash with Jojoba oil, Castor oil, Argan oil, and Avocado oil. This may seem like an oily combination (no pun intended) but these are some of the best organic oils for your hair. Agua de Cielo is the first to put these all together in one elixir. Just use it between 1 to 24 hours before washing and it will do your hair wonders. And don’t worry, it won’t leave your hair all greasy.
Try to not wash your hair more than 2-3 times a week if possible. And don’t feel bad, if the Romans could bathe every 9 days, then you can not wash your hair everyday.
Also, ensure you have a proper after shower hair care routine post-wash.
4. Use gentle micro-fiber towels
Using the wrong towel to dry your hair can cause frizz and damage. Your hair is more fragile than usual when it’s wet and the added friction will give your hair nightmares.
Well don’t worry, you can prevent damaging your hair by using a soft microfiber towel to dry your hair. Luckily, we have some awesome ones that you can check out. These are gentler on your hair and absorb water without causing frizz and look great. They even help you speed up drying time and when used with hair masks, it can boost its results by letting your hair marinate under a towel.
5. Washing hair after pool and beach
We’ve all been there. You are happily getting that tan on and decide to take a swim in the pool or even better, beach. You come out and your hair is all nasty, full of salt, sand, chlorine, or maybe even pee from the kid who didn’t think anyone was noticing.
These things can dry out your hair and make it brittle. But, don’t worry, you can still enjoy it. Just make sure to use our Hair Hydrate 2-in-1 to keep your hair hydrated and protected. And then once you're done and back home, wash your hair thoroughly with a sulfate-free shampoo and deep cleaning hair mask. Don’t worry, I’m not going to cough out our product names again.
6. Use silk or satin pillows
It might sound strange, but the type of pillowcase you use can impact the health of your hair. Traditional cotton pillowcases can cause friction on your hair as you sleep, which can lead to breakage and frizz. Instead, why not try a silk or satin pillowcase?
Silk and satin are much smoother and allow your hair to glide gently across the pillow as you sleep. This can help to reduce frizz and damage to your hair, leaving you with hair that looks healthier and more vibrant every morning. And as an added bonus, these pillowcases are also incredibly comfortable and can add a touch of luxury to your bed. It will give you more incentive to wash them each week!
So the next time you go to bed, remember that you're not just sleeping – you're also taking care of your precious hair. Sweet dreams and don’t let the bad hair bug bite!
7. Avoid tight hairstyles and hair ties
Hair ties can pull on the hair, scalp, and hair roots causing breakage and even hair loss. Just like the saying goes, “just let your hair down”. If you still can’t get away from them, try to use silk or satin hair ties or hair clips.
When you decide to tie your hair up, go for a relaxed ponytail, a carefree bun, or a braid. Hairdos that pull too tightly on your locks can harm your hair and in serious cases, even lead to hair loss.
8. Avoid dyeing your hair often
Not sure how all these reggaeton singers are doing it, because changing your hair color so much can damage your hair. Dyeing or bleaching can remove the protective layer from your hair and hurt the hair fibers. This can make your hair weak and cause it to break. Unless your name is Karol G, cool it down on the hair coloring.
If your name is Karol G and still want to prevent damage, then you could try
- Use good, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner
- Use good hair mask
9. Take care of dry and damaged hair
Dry and damaged hair typically results from various factors like overuse of heat styling tools, excessive sun exposure, and harsh hair treatments like coloring or bleaching. These factors strip away the natural oils that protect your hair, leaving it weaker and easier to break.
For dry or damaged hair, try our legendary (yes we added the legendary part) Recovery Kit. It's a bundle of organic hair products for dry and damaged hair. When you have dry and damaged hair, you need to keep your hair hydrated, without all the extra weight. That's where our Hair Hydrate comes in to kick dry hair in the butt. Want to know what are the best hair masks for dry damaged hair? Luckily, we have the answer. Our Hair Regenerating Mask and Hydra Glow Hair Mask are two options that will have your hair the talk of the town.
10. Regular hair trimming
Trimming your hair regularly is an important step in maintaining its health and preventing split ends. Aim to trim your hair every 6 to 8 weeks to get rid of any damaged or split ends. Regular trims help to keep your hair looking neat and prevent further damage from occurring. If you're trying to grow your hair, don't skip the trims. Removing the damaged ends will actually promote healthier hair growth in the long run.
BONUS TIP: Incorporate a healthy diet and lifestyle
The health of our hair is closely linked to our overall well-being. A nutritious diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins is essential for maintaining strong and healthy hair. Include foods such as salmon, eggs, nuts, and leafy greens in your diet to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. Stay hydrated by drinking enough water daily (at least 8 glasses). Additionally, reduce stress levels through exercise, meditation, or other stress-relief techniques, as stress can contribute to hair loss and damage.
These seem easier said than done, but try improving 1% each day and you will begin to see wonders in your hair quality.
Conclusion
Now you should be well informed on preventing hair hair damage. Remember, prevention is always easier than reaction. So make the choice to start caring for your hair now so you can enjoy more good hair days and less stress from hair problems.
Make sure to check out our healthy hair care products so you can avoid those annoying hair problems. You can find them here.
Want to learn more about hair care?
Did you enjoy what you read? Do you want to learn about some of the chemicals that could be damaging your hair? Then you can read our blog posts below:
