Is Your Daily Routine Ruining Your Hair?

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that harsh straightening treatments and adding any sort of color to your hair can wreak havoc on strands and can be factors behind breakage. But your daily hair to-do list might be doing a lot of damage as well. “Coloring, bleaching, perming and heat-styling can damage the hair’s protective outer layer and breaks it, resulting in split ends,” says New York dermatologist Jody A. Levine, MD. “I recommend looking for conditioners with protein. They sink into the hair shaft and repair it with regular use.” In addition, if you have straight hair, let it dry partially before combing. “If you have textured hair or tight curls, always comb your hair while it is still damp using a wide-tooth comb,” suggests celebrity hairstylist and founder/CEO of ColorProof Evolved Color Care, Jim Markham. “It’s the only way not to break hair that is susceptible to it.”

Does Your Hair Need A Detox?
When it comes to major makeovers for the skin and body, “detoxes” seem to be the option for fast, effective results. And now, the world of hair is getting in on it through treatments that promise to “detox strands and make hair healthier.” But are they legit—or just lofty promises? According to Dr.Levine, there is science behind them. “How often you shampoo, the type of water you use, swimming and UV exposure can all introduce components that impact hair health and the way it looks,” she explains, adding that mineral—especially copper—impurities may have a direct effect on breakage. “Detoxification treatments that are capable of getting rid of these mineral deposits can certainly help.”