The Slow Damage Most Hair Routines Cause

Many hair problems do not happen suddenly they build up quietly over time. Daily habits like frequent washing, regular heat styling, tight hairstyles, and repeated chemical treatments can slowly weaken hair without immediate signs of damage. What often starts as dryness or mild breakage can progress into thinning, dullness, and reduced hair strength. Understanding how common hair routines contribute to gradual damage helps explain why hair health declines even when products are used regularly, and why gentler, more mindful care is essential for long-term hair strength.



Hair contains 10-15% of water. High temperatures causes this natural moisture to evaporate rapidly that leads to chronic dryness and a brittle , straw like texture. This dehydration reduces the hair's elasticity making it prone to snapping.

The hair outermost layer which is known as the cuticle that is made of overlapping scales like roof shingles. The heat exposures that causes these scales to lift, crack and chip that makes the hair feel rough and appear dull and tangles more easily.

The hair's core strength and elasticity comes form protein known as keratin. Temperatures that reaches 150 degree begins to denture these proteins that causes the keratin chains to lose their shape and strength.

• Focus shampoo on the scalp and lukewarm water to avoid stripping oils.
• Applying conditioner to mid-lengths and ends that ensures through coverage and using a deep conditioner weekly.
• Gently squeeze water out with a microfiber towel or t-shirt of rubbing vigorously.

Styling And Protection

• Air drying or partially before combing or styling.
• Using heat styling tools like blow dryers, flat irons less often, on lower settings and always with a heat protectant.
• Using a silk scrunchie for loose ponytails or braids and consider a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and tangles.

Avoid the following:

• Do not rub shampoo into the hair lengths or rub vigorously with a towel.
• Avoiding tight ponytails, buns, or braids that pulls on the hair.
• Do not overwash as it strips natural oils.
• Avoid very hot water during showers

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1. What causes hair to grow slowly?
   These include genetics, stress, age, and medical conditions like male pattern baldness. Breakage, nutritional deficiencies, and poor scalp health can all impact hair health. They can give the appearance of stunted hair growth, even if your hair is growing at the root.
2. What does 1 year of hair growth look like?
   Your hair grows about one inch every two months (or a half inch per month), meaning you'll experience approximately three inches of hair growth in six months and six inches of hair over the course of one year.
3. Is losing 700 hairs a day normal?
   No, losing 700 hairs a day is not normal; it's considered excessive shedding, as the typical range is 50 to 100 hairs daily, and you should consult a doctor or dermatologist to find the cause, which could be stress, hormonal changes, or other underlying issues. While losing a lot of hair during washing or brushing can happen, consistently shedding hundreds of strands points to a condition like telogen effluvium, requiring professional advice.