I know that having healthy and beautiful hair is a top priority for many of us. However, through many trials and errors, I am very familiar with the several factors that can contribute to hair damage and ultimately affect our locks’ overall health and appearance. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the main causes of hair damage and what you can do to prevent it.

Why Knowing Your Hair Type Matters

This may not be one of the most common causes of hair damage, or it may? See, not knowing my hair type, I believe, has caused most, if not all, of my most current hair damage. Because through the years, my hair has changed so much, yet I have continued to treat my hair somewhat the same.

I went from having wavy hair to curly, then back to wavy. Then I had unprocessed hair and then bleached it all. And one thing I realized is that throughout my hair journey, I continue treating my hair the same. All my products are for dry, damaged hair. Although this might not seem like a big deal, it plays a more significant role in causing hair damage or “bad hair days” than we think.

Knowing your hair type can help you better understand your hair’s needs. For example, someone with thick, curly hair needs different hair care than fine, straight hair. By understanding your hair type, you can choose products and styling methods tailored to your hair’s unique characteristics, which can help improve your hair’s overall health and appearance.

Another benefit of knowing your hair type is that it can help you avoid using products or methods that may damage your hair. For example, someone with fine, fragile hair may want to avoid using heavy styling products or heat styling tools too frequently, as these can cause damage to their hair. By knowing your hair type, you can make more informed decisions about the products and methods you use to care for your hair.

How to Determine Your Hair Type

Determining your hair type can be tricky, as several factors can contribute to your hair’s overall texture and appearance. Here are some key characteristics to look for when determining your hair type:

Texture: Your hair texture refers to the thickness or thinness of each hair strand. HOW TO: You can determine your hair texture by taking a single strand and running your fingers along it. If you can barely feel the strand, you likely have fine hair; if you can feel the strand quickly, you likely have thick hair.

Curl Pattern: Your hair’s curl pattern refers to the shape and texture of your hair when it dries naturally. Several different curl patterns are straight, wavy, curly, and coily. HOW TO: You can better determine your curl pattern by examining your hair without product or styling after air-drying.

Scalp Moisture: Your scalp’s moisture level can also impact your hair’s health and appearance. HOW TO: If your scalp is dry and flaky, you may have dry hair, while if your scalp is oily, you may have oily hair.

Once you have determined your hair type, you can explore the best products and methods to care for your hair. For example, if you have fine hair, you may want to use lightweight styling products and avoid using heavy conditioners or oils that can weigh your hair down. If you have curly hair, you may want to use products specifically designed for curly hair, such as curl-enhancing creams or gels, to help define your curls and reduce frizz.

By understanding your hair’s unique characteristics, you can choose products and methods tailored to its needs, which can help improve your hair’s overall health and appearance. Take the time to determine your hair type and explore the many options for maintaining healthy, beautiful hair.

Now, let us look closer at the 5 common causes of hair damage.

5 Common Causes of Hair Damage

• Heat styling: Using hot tools such as flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers can cause significant damage to your hair over time. Excessive heat can dry out your hair, making it brittle and prone to breakage. How To Prevent: Using these tools sparingly is important; always apply a heat-protectant product before using them.

• Chemical treatments: Chemical treatments such as coloring, perming, and relaxing can also cause damage to your hair. These treatments can strip your hair of natural oils, making it dry and prone to breakage. How To Prevent: If you must use these treatments, follow the instructions carefully and avoid over-processing your hair.

• Environmental factors: Exposure to the sun, wind, and pollution can also contribute to hair damage. UV rays can weaken your hair and cause it to become dry and brittle, while pollutants in the air can build up on your hair and scalp, leading to irritation and damage. How To Prevent: Wearing a hat or scarf can help protect your hair from the sun, and a clarifying shampoo can help remove pollutants.

• Poor nutrition: What you eat can also affect the health of your hair. A diet lacking essential nutrients such as protein, iron, and vitamin D can lead to hair damage and hair loss. How To Prevent: Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help keep your hair healthy.

• Overwashing: Washing your hair too frequently can strip it of natural oils, leading to dryness and damage. How To Prevent: Aim to wash your hair every 2-3 days, and use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to help maintain moisture. Extra Tip: Hot water can dehydrate the scalp and strip your hair of natural oils, leading to breakage and frizz. How To Prevent: Set the water temperature to warm to shampoo and rinse hair before applying the conditioner. Then set the water to cool to remove the conditioner. Cold water preserves natural oils and keeps your hair manageable, gives it a healthy shine, and loads it up with extra moisture giving it a smoother and shinier look. Furthermore, cold water helps close the cuticles.

By understanding the main causes of hair damage, you can take steps to protect your hair and keep it looking its best. Incorporating healthy hair habits into your daily routine, such as using a heat protectant, avoiding over-processing, and eating a balanced diet, can help keep your hair healthy and strong for years.

The Best Supplements & Products For Healthy Hair

Ok, now that we discussed some of the most common causes of hair damage and how important it is to have healthy, beautiful hair, let’s discuss products from which most of us can benefit. But with so many hair care products and vitamins available, it can be challenging to find the right ones.

That’s why I scoured the web to share the top picks for hair care products and supplements that have worked wonders for others. Most of which I’ve tried and tested myself, from vitamins, shampoos, and conditioners to treatments and styling products.

I’m excited to share these recommendations with you. No matter your hair type or texture, I believe there’s something on this list that can benefit everyone. So, grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let me guide you through the best products for healthy hair that the internet and I swear by.

Fresh Start

A good haircut is always the most effective way to remove damaged hair and allow new healthy ones to grow. This is why the first product I recommend is this hair-cutting set if you like to DIY like me. Moreover, I recently (last night) used the CreaClip to chop off about 10 inches of damaged hair, and I have to say it felt very satisfying and easy to use. Plus, after the cut, my hair instantly felt healthier and thicker.

Healthy Hair Fron The Inside Out

Healthy hair begins on the inside, and a balanced diet rich in protein, vegetables, and fruits is key. However, even with a balanced diet, you may lack some key ingredients to growing healthy hair. This is why supplementing with collagen and vitamins is my go-to to ensure I give my body everything for my hair, health, skin, and nails.

A Shower Filter

Your damaged hair may be caused by what’s in the water. Public water goes through a thorough sanitation and treatment process before it enters your bathroom plumbing. One way that our cities ensure the water is disinfected is by adding chlorine or chloramine.

Unfortunately, chlorine kills not only the bad bacteria we don’t want around but also the good bacteria. When it washes over your hair and skin, it destroys the Vitamin E and other fatty acids that keep it soft and smooth. This can lead to dry skin, itchy skin, and rashes, leaving your hair dry and frizzy.

A filtered shower head neutralizes the chemicals and leaves you squeaky clean with all the moisture your skin and hair desperately need.

Scalp Scrub

Apart from the nutrients you intake, scalp health is vital to achieving healthy hair. This is why out of all the products on this list, I recommend this one the most. Moreover, I love the user friendly-packaging and how light and practical the serum is in clearing my scalp.

Clarifying Shampoo

I dont know about you, but when I first heard about clarifying shampoos, I instantly thought they were harsh. However, when I learned more about them and incorporated one into my bi-weekly routine, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made to improve the look and feel of my hair.

This is especially true if your hair feels greasier than normal or your scalp is suddenly itchy or irritated. Or maybe your once bouncy, voluminous hair is now flat and limp. In these cases, a clarifying shampoo could make a big difference. Detox or clarifying shampoos are also especially great if you spend a lot of time in a pool, exposing hair to a whole host of chemicals. They’re also great for those who live in hard water areas.

After trying a few different brands, my favorite is the Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo, as it leaves my hair feeling light and shinier and my waves more defined.

Microfiber Hair Towel

Regarding the worst possible ways to dry your hair, put rubbing it vigorously with a bath towel up close to the top. Rubbing works the hair in all the wrong ways, encouraging frizz and breakage to proliferate.

Say goodbye to the rub and, with it, frizz wrap your hair snugly in super-absorbent microfiber.

Reparative Line

A reparative line is necessary for your hair care routine if you put your hair through chemical treatments. My favorite is Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate which is suitable for all types of damaged hair looking to strengthen hair, reinforce weakened bonds, and less breakage.

Miracle Hair Mask

It’s A 10 Miracle Hair Mask has been a hair savior for many years as a conditioning treatment to enhance softness and smoothness. It is suitable for all hair types, and a little goes a long way.

Leave-In

This creamy, spray-like substance is great for my wavy hair, and it helps controls frizz and seals split ends. Use it before hair styling, to refresh your style, or to air-dry. Moreover, it helps protect hair from UV damage.

Heat Styling With Less Damage

We all know that heat styling our hair is one of the most common causes of hair damage. However, it is not realistic for most to of us to kiss our blow dryers and flat irons goodbye for good. Instead, I invested in the Dyson Airwrap.

I purchased the original in 2021, but I just never thought it was as good as my professional hair dryer and curling iron; I tried and tried to love it, using it every so often but then stopped using it because I didn’t feel like it was worth it because the curls wouldn’t hold, so I wasn’t reaching for it as much.

Almost a year later, a newer version claimed the attachments were better, so I exchanged my older model, and oh my goodness…. It’s amazing! My hair looks incredible, but I will say it takes a few minutes longer to dry than with my professional hair dryer. However, I can live with that, especially with it being less damaging and giving me bouncy incredible hair.

Silk Pillowcase

There are plenty of benefits to sleeping on a silk pillowcase. The qualities of silk can soothe your skin, keep you cool, and even leave you with healthier hair. I’ve had my original Slip silk pillowcase for over 5 years, so I greatly love and recommend this one.

Shop This Post

5 Common Causes Of Hair Damage and How to Prevent Them