12 ways we all ruin our hair

Skipping regular haircuts

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If you've ever grown out your hair, then you know how easy it can be to become attached to that extra-long mane. So attached, in fact, many of us skip out on regular trims just to let our hair get a teensy bit longer. And while there's nothing wrong with channeling our inner Rapunzel, waiting too long between trims can actually be damaging those beautiful, long locks.
"Most of the time, people with long hair think getting a haircut is not necessary," Jamielynn De Leon, owner of Rogue House Salon in NYC, told The List. "The truth is, yes, your hair grows from the roots, but the ends of your hair is what is damaged and needs special attention."
De Leon explains that daily use of shampoos that contain harsh sulfates and salts can strip the hair and cause split ends. "Haircuts preserve the integrity of the hair and maintain a fast growth period. A hair dusting, which helps to take out the split ends, is best for those who hate having haircuts," she said. De Leon also advises you can keep your locks looking healthy and beautiful with regular haircuts every two to three months.

Using too much conditioner

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Silky soft strands are the Holy Grail of beautiful hair. That's why many of us love to lather up on conditioner like it's going out of style. The more conditioner, the softer the hair, right? Not quite.
"Conditioners are for adding moisture and not making your hair soft as one might think," said De Leon, who also noted that many of her clients misunderstand the proper way to condition their hair. "You might think that you should put conditioner on the scalp, but it should just be used for the ends of the hair."
De Leo also notes that like most shampoos, daily conditioners often contain sulfates, which don't preserve the hair but instead, strip it. Instead, she recommends using a hair mask once or twice a week, depending on how processed your hair is. "Doing so will add proteins and nutrients for the hair," she said.
Celebrity hairstylist, Vernon Francois, who's worked with stars like Lupita Nyong'o, Tracee Ellis Ross and Ruth Negga, recommends indulging in moisturizing oils to keep your hair healthy. "Moroccan argan oil is one of my favorite options because it's easily absorbed by the hair, while being extremely hydrating," he said.

Making hair extensions your BFF

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A full head of luxurious extensions might make you feel like J.Lo, but buyer beware. Underneath the surface, they might be doing more harm than good.
"Not having the right type of extensions or maintenance on the hair can cause tears and balding if the hair is being pulled," De Leon warns. "There are many types of extensions these days, my favorite are the tapes in because they are gentle for the hair."
Your best bet is to do your research and find a reputable hairdresser who specializes in extensions. This can help ensure you find the extensions that work best for your particular hair type.

Thinking one brush fits all

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While you can save a few extra bucks by sticking to just any old drug store hair brush, this isn't the best way to keep your locks healthy.
"Certain brushes can pull the hair," De Leon said. "Ladies are inclined to use brushes with a lot of bristles, but are not really looking at the labels and the type of bristles." The best tool for your hair, De Leon advises, are soft bristles, "gentle enough to pull through, like the Wet Brush, Teaser, or Mason Pearson." She adds, "Using a comb is always the safest bet, but make sure you're taking the right amount of sections before tearing that hair."

Wearing too-tight updos

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Braids and ponytails can be stylish time-savers, especially on days when humidity isn't on our hair's side. But beware of too-tight hairstyles, no matter how sleek they look. "Pulling hair in ponytails can damage your front hairline if it's too tight," said Dani Everson, owner and lead stylist at Clementine's Salon in Denver, Colorado. "Opt for a looser lower ponytail toward the nape of the neck." The same goes for too-tight braids. Everson suggests going for a looser braid look to let your hair breath.
Rubber bands and elastics can also break the hair. "Try using a softer option," Everson said, adding that 80's scrunchies or ribbons are both fun options that won't damage your locks.

Over-using dry shampoo

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Just like throwing your hair up in a ponytail, dry shampoo can be a great option when we're in a pinch. And while a quick post-gym spray before an unexpected happy hour is perfectly harmless, you probably don't want to switch out too many regular hair washes with a dry shampoo spritz.
"More recently, I'm seeing more patients losing hair by using dry shampoos too frequently," NYC dermatologist Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD, told us. "By doing this, you allow for a build-up on the hair shaft that can weigh down the hair, and cause increased inflammation. This can lead to increased susceptibility to damage as well."
Dr. Bhanusali recommends one to two dry shampoo uses per week as a general rule of thumb.

Combing hair when wet

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If you're anything like me, you know how dreadful it can be to detangle fine hair. While that quick comb through in the shower definitely saves time (and agony) when trying to detangle your hair later on, this hack could be causing some serious damage. "Wet hair is much more vulnerable and susceptible to breakage," De Leon said. If time permits, she suggests letting your hair dry before combing, making sure to start at the tips of the hair and work up to the roots. "If you must comb wet hair," she notes, "use a wide-toothed comb."

Ironing damp hair

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I'm pretty obsessed with my flat iron. And I must admit, when I first heard there was such thing as a wet-to-dry iron (a.k.a. one you can use when your hair is still semi-damp) I thought I had hit the jackpot of time-saving hair hacks. That is, until the first time I used one and was terrified by the sound of my own hair sizzling under the heat. "This is burning your hair dry, causing hair to be brittle," Brooke Richardson, owner of East Edge Salon in Portland, Maine, told me.
It's definitely better to let your hair fully dry before attempting to straighten, even if it does take a bit of extra time.

Combating frizz with heat

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Similarly, it can be easy to want to pull out the flat iron any time we wake up with a head full of frizz. But Richardson says ironing frizzy hair is actually counterproductive.
"[Ironing] is not making your hair look less frizzy or damaged," she said. "It is burning damaged pieces off which is causing more breakage."
The same goes for blow-drying your hair with too much heat. "Over-heating the hair with a blow-dryer to achieve a smoother or wavier look is a falsity," said celebrity hair stylist, Sean Donaldson, who has styled Kate Winslet, Kate Upton and Whitney Port, told The List. "The higher heat intensity only breaks and fries the hair. Using a lower temperature will not only protect the hair but you'll get the same results."

Using keratin for perfectly straight hair

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While some of us dream of beautiful waves and curls, others see perfectly straight hair as the ultimate in #HairGoals. If you're of the latter group, you may have considered keratin to achieve this look. However, Donaldson says this is a common misconception. "Keratin treatments are not the replacement for relaxing or straightening hair," he explains. "They smooth! They also are not for all hair types and repetitive use can be damaging."

Thinking hairspray doesn't hurt

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Hairspray is one of those go-to hair solutions most of us don't think twice about. Pulling your hair back? Add some hairspray. Just finished blowing your hair out? Give it a little hairspray. It seems harmless enough, but according to Richardson, it can also cause our hair to become dull and damaged. "Hair spray is one of the best things to take stains out of clothes and yet we put it in our hair!"
Yikes, think about that the next time you want to reach for that can o' spray.

Using box hair color

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Dyeing our hair at home seems like a good idea — it's cheaper, more convenient and takes way less time than a trip to the salon. But if you're committed to healthy hair, Robertson suggests leaving this practice to the pros. "Box color is bad because it's formulated for all hair types, which means it has the highest volume developer," she said.
With an experienced hair stylist, you'll not only get access to salon quality products, you'll make sure the right formula for your hair type ends up on your scalp, and you'll also be sure it's being applied properly. Sounds like a win-win to us.