STYLE

Sure, you don't set out to ruin your hair, but if you're guilty of any of these hair sins, your tresses certainly won't be thanking you. Check it out.

1. You're using a cotton pillowcase.

Rolling around on a cotton pillowcase can scratch your cuticles or snag you strands, causing breakage. Grab a silk case instead to let your hair slip by safely. (P.S. They prevent wrinkles!)

2. There's sulfate in your shampoo.

Washing your hair every day is already a no-no, but if your shampoo has sulfates, you could be doing serious damage to your natural oils. Can't handle the grease factor? Stock up on dry shampoo.  

3. You're not deep-conditioning.

Your conditioning rinse may make your hair feel super smooth post-shower, but take time to deep condition (we love coconut oil) once a week. Let your conditioning mask sit for at least fifteen minutes, then pop on a shower cap and blast with heat from your hair dryer for a doubly effective treatment.

4. You're not wearing sunscreen.

And we don't mean slathering on the SPF (though that's important too!). Your hair may not burn, but the sun can dry it out, causing breakage. Grab a UV hair spray or simply throw on a hat or other cover whenever you're going to be outside for an extended period—even in winter.

5. You don't have a hair-healthy diet.

Your hair, like your bod, doesn't thrive well on junk food. Feed it with good-for-you omega 3s and fatty acids (found in salmon and nuts), vitamin b5 (found in Greek yogurt) and vitamins A and C from fruit and veggies.

6. You're too stressed.

Stress can slow down hair growth! When you’re feeling stressed, do some quiet yoga or take deep breaths. It’ll do wonders for your mental health—and your mane.

7. You're a dye addict.

If you dye your hair more than once every 6 months, you're probably doing some damage. Try to keep your color-changing to a minimum—try hair chalk or wash-out color to shake up your look without ruining your mane with tons of chemicals.

8. You've got the wrong gear.  

Rubber bands and super-tight elastic ties pull at your hair and cause breakage when removed. Use a soft scrunchy or no-bump solution (like GL fave the Invisibobble) to keep things smooth and comfy.

9. You don't get haircuts.

Even if you’re trying to grow you hair out, frequent trims are healthy! Get your hair cut an inch or two every few months to keep the split ends away and promote healthy growth. 

What hair sins are you committing? How do you keep your hair healthy? Let us know below!

by Christina Mattera | 2/1/2016