The 7 Ways You’re Damaging Your Hair And How To Fix It From MATRIX

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Is your hair looking a little rough around the edges? Do you need damage control? Not-so-healthy hair definitely takes a toll on one’s self-image. Luckily most causes of breakage and frizz are preventable by changing some bad hair behaviors.

Hair damage happens when hair bonds are broken due to stress on the hair. Here are the seven ways that those bonds are commonly broken, leading to hair damage, and solutions for restoring strong, lush locks.

1. Over-lightening and Frequent Hair Color Damage
What happens: Lightening frequently or coloring too often can leave hair vulnerable to chemical damage. More bonds break with each color service.

The fix: Ask your stylist to use a bond protector in your color. Bond Ultim8 (http://www.matrix.com/hair-color/bond-ultim8) can be used in lighteners and in every step of a color service. Maintain with weekly treatments of Bond Ultim8 3 and a good color care shampoo and conditioner.

2. Texture and Smoothing Treatment Damage
What happens: When you change your texture by perming or chemical straightening, bonds are broken and re-formed in a new position. Not all bonds can be re-formed, which causes breakage.

The fix: Consult with your stylist, and request the gentlest formula for your texture needs. Also, use styling tools with low heat. Turn the iron all the way down, then slowly increase the heat until your hair responds.

3. Over-Shampooing
What happens: The body produces natural oils that protect hair. Over-washing strips this protective layer, leaving hair dry, dull and brittle. Weak areas break and leave split ends behind.

The fix: Add a day between washes. Try co-washing with Biolage Cleansing Conditioners to maintain moisture. Use dry shampoo to freshen roots on in-between days.

4. Heat Styling Damage
What happens: Curling and flat irons, hot rollers, and blow dryers temporarily break bonds to reshape hair. Hair cools, and the bonds re-form in their new position. Over time these bonds are damaged and don’t always re-form.

The fix: Use heat tools less frequently, turn down the temperature and protect hair with a thermal protection product like Style Link Blowout Queen or Style Link Heat Buffer.

5. Too Much Tension
What happens: Healthy hair stretches then returns to its original position. Weak hair breaks at stress points and doesn’t return to its original position.

The fix: Switch to wider hair elastics and softer headbands. Detangle with a wide-tooth comb. Take a break from extensions.

6. Being Too Rough On Wet Hair
What happens: When hair is wet, two of the three types of internal bonds are temporarily broken, allowing the hair to stretch up to an extra 1/3 of its length while wet. Rough combing or brushing, or securing hair tightly in a ponytail or towel while still wet can cause damage. As hair dries, it shrinks to its original length. The hair strand can snap at weakened areas, creating frizz and breakage lines.

The fix: Detangle in the shower with Biolage HydraSource Detangling Solution and a wide tooth comb. Work from the bottom and detangle a few inches at a time. Use a microfiber hair towel to dry hair. Avoid rubbing; blot instead.

7. Environmental Stressors
What happens: Sun damage causes color to turn brassy. Swimming opens the cuticle layer, leaving hair brittle and rough. Wind is drying and can cause tangles and breakage. Humidity lifts the cuticle layer and encourages frizz and tangles. Fine hair goes flat, and textured hair expands.

The fix: Wear a hat or scarf to protect from sun and wind. Wet hair and apply a leave-in conditioner before swimming. Wear a cap if you swim regularly. Treat hair with moisturizing masks and leave-in conditioners. For build-up from swimming or dirt, use Total Results Alternate Action cleansing shampoo once weekly. Follow with hydrating conditioner.

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