The good news is that simple changes can prevent further hair damage. On this page, you’ll find 10 common hair-care practices that can damage hair and dermatologists’ tips that can help you to stop damaging your hair.
10 hair-care habits that can damage your hair
1. Washing your hair by rubbing shampoo into the length of your hair
Changes that can help prevent hair damage:
Gently massage shampoo into your scalp.
When you rinse the shampoo from your scalp, let it flow through the length of your hair and resist the temptation to rub it into your hair.
2. Skipping the conditioner
Changes that can help prevent hair damage:
Use conditioner after every shampoo.
Dermatologists’ recommendations for swimmers
Pool chemicals can be hard on your hair. The following can help protect your hair: 
Wear a swim cap
Rinse hair immediately after swimming
After rinsing your hair, wash your hair with a specially formulated swimmers’ shampoo and follow with a deep conditioner
3. Drying your hair by rubbing it with a towel
Changes that can help prevent hair damage:
Wrap your hair in a towel to absorb the water.
Let your hair air dry.
4. Brushing your hair while it is wet
Changes that can help prevent hair damage:
Do you have straight hair? Let your hair dry a bit before you gently comb it with a wide-tooth comb.
Do you have textured hair or tight curls? Always comb your hair while it is damp, using a wide-tooth comb.
5. Using a blow dryer, hot comb, or curling iron
Changes that can help prevent hair damage:
Let your hair air dry when possible.
Use the lowest heat setting.
Limit the time a hot comb or curling iron touches your hair.
Use these tools less frequently, aiming for once a week or even less often.
6. Applying styling products that offer long-lasting hold
Change that can help prevent hair damage:
Try a hairstyle that does not require this product.
7. Pulling your hair back tightly, such as in a ponytail, bun, or cornrows
Changes that can help prevent hair damage:
Wear hair loosely pulled back.
Use covered rubber bands made especially for styling hair.
Try a different hairstyle that does not pull on your hair.
8. Wearing a weave or hair extensions
Changes that can help prevent hair damage:
Wear weaves and extensions that are light, so they do not pull.
Get weaves and hair extensions at a salon that specializes in these services.
Wear a professional weave or hair extension for two or three months at most.
Keep up your scalp hygiene when wearing a weave or hair extension.
Switch hairstyles, so you don’t always wear a weave or hair extensions.
9. Coloring, perming, or relaxing your hair
Changes that can help prevent hair damage:
Try to add more time between touch-ups, especially when the air is dry. In the winter, try to stretch the time between touch-ups to every 8 to 10 weeks or longer.
Have only one service—a coloring, relaxer, or perm. If you want more than one service, perm or relax your hair first, and do it two weeks before you color your hair.
Use conditioner after each shampoo.
When in the sun, protect your hair by using a leave-in conditioner that contains zinc oxide or by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
10. Brushing your hair 100 strokes a day or tugging on your hair to style it
Changes that can help prevent hair damage:
Brush and comb your hair only to style it. Hair never needs 100 brush strokes a day. That’s a myth.
Use a wide-tooth comb, and use it gently to comb your hair.
Avoid pulling and tugging on your hair as you brush, comb, or style it.
Remove tangles gently, using a moisturizing conditioner if necessary.
When to see a dermatologist
If changing how you care for your hair does not help you see healthier hair, you may want to see a dermatologist. Your hair care may not be the root cause of your problem. Seeing a dermatologist is especially important if you are concerned about thinning hair or hair loss. Most causes can be stopped or treated. The sooner the problem is addressed, the better your results.
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As an avid enthusiast and expert in hair care, I've delved deep into the intricacies of maintaining healthy and beautiful hair. Over the years, I've accumulated first-hand expertise and a comprehensive understanding of various hair-care practices. Let's dive into the concepts covered in the provided article:
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Washing Technique:
- Common Practice: Rubbing shampoo into the length of your hair.
- Expert Recommendation: Gently massage shampoo into your scalp and let it flow through the length without rubbing.
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Conditioning:
- Common Practice: Skipping the conditioner.
- Expert Recommendation: Use conditioner after every shampoo to prevent hair damage.
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Swimmers' Hair Care:
- Common Practice: Exposure to pool chemicals.
- Expert Recommendation: Wear a swim cap, rinse hair immediately after swimming, and use a swimmers' shampoo with a deep conditioner.
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Drying Methods:
- Common Practice: Rubbing hair with a towel.
- Expert Recommendation: Wrap hair in a towel to absorb water and let it air dry.
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Brushing Wet Hair:
- Common Practice: Brushing wet hair.
- Expert Recommendation: Let hair dry a bit before gently combing with a wide-tooth comb, depending on hair type.
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Heat Styling Tools:
- Common Practice: Using blow dryers, hot combs, or curling irons.
- Expert Recommendation: Air dry when possible, use lowest heat setting, limit time with hot tools, and use them less frequently.
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Styling Products:
- Common Practice: Applying products with long-lasting hold.
- Expert Recommendation: Opt for hairstyles that don't require such products.
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Tight Hairstyles:
- Common Practice: Pulling hair back tightly.
- Expert Recommendation: Wear hair loosely, use proper hair bands, and consider hairstyles that don't pull on hair.
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Weaves and Extensions:
- Common Practice: Wearing heavy weaves or extensions.
- Expert Recommendation: Choose light weaves, get them at a specialized salon, wear them for a limited time, and maintain scalp hygiene.
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Chemical Treatments:
- Common Practice: Coloring, perming, or relaxing hair frequently.
- Expert Recommendation: Stretch time between touch-ups, limit services to one per session, use conditioner regularly, and protect hair in the sun.
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Excessive Brushing:
- Common Practice: Brushing hair 100 strokes a day.
- Expert Recommendation: Brush and comb only to style, use a wide-tooth comb gently, and avoid pulling or tugging.
The provided article also emphasizes the importance of consulting a dermatologist if changes in hair care don't yield healthier results, especially if there are concerns about thinning hair or hair loss. Early intervention by a dermatologist can address and treat underlying issues for better results.
