Updated: October 31st, 2023
By: Brenna Gray
No matter what we do, our red hair is destined to get distressed. It’s inevitable. Here are a few things you should try to STOP doing to prevent it from damaging even more:
1. Washing hair every day:
Daily washing removes hair’s natural oils, which can dry it out. Try washing your hair only when it’s actually dirty. You’ll be amazed at how much healthier your hair will get.
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2. Twirling your hair:
Whether you’re nervous around a cute guy, bored and feel the need to keep your hands occupied or something else, we all twirl our hair. It’s hard to break a habit, but the more your hair is exposed to stress the more it will break.
3. Picking at split ends:
I’m guilty of this sadly, but the more you pick at your split ends the more split ends it will create. All you’re really doing is moving the breakage upwards on the hair shaft.
4. Going without a haircut for a long period of time:
I used to believe that if I trimmed my hair I wouldn’t get the length back. My hair is prone to breakage so when I don’t get a trim, I get terrible split ends. When I go to my hair stylist they end up cutting more hair off to get rid of all my split ends and I’m back at square one. Little trims here and there are worth it… trust me!
5. Brushing too much:
Don’t listen to Marcia Brady… 100 brush strokes a night isn’t good for your hair. Brushing too much breaks the hair and can pull out hair that wasn’t ready to fall out yet. Brush your hair, but only a few strokes will get the job done perfectly.
6. Wearing a ponytail or bun almost every day with tight elastics:
Constant pressure to the same place on your hair will weaken it over time. Some people even believe that this can stunt hair growth! Yikes!
Tip: If you love wearing your hair up, try wrapping it into a bun and using a clip to hold it in place. This will keep your hair free of damage.
7. Sleeping with a hair elastic in your hair:
If you toss and turn in your sleep you’re unaware of all the stress your hair is going through while rubbing on the pillow. Wearing an elastic in your hair makes it worse and can cause breakage and pulling.
Again, invest in a great clip to prevent damage.
8. Combining hairspray and a hot styling tools:
The alcohol in hairspray burns when exposed to the heat. I know we redheads are known for our flaming red hair, but this should not be taken literally! Apply a heat protector before using any hot styling tools and when you’re finished then you can apply a hairspray.
9. Rubbing wet hair with a towel:
This causes frizz and breakage. You can gently squeeze your wet hair after a shower with a towel, but don’t wring it out. When drying your hair opt to use a microfiber towel! Introducing the How to be a Redhead Soft Microfiber Hair Towel for Redheads. Because wet hair is at its most vulnerable, this custom microfiber towel gently and carefully absorbs moisture from your red hair and dries it quickly, all while protecting it from stretching and breakage. This design is uniquely shaped to wrap all of your hair securely (no matter the length), with an elastic strap to comfortably keep things in place. Your hair journey starts here, redheads.
10. Setting heat too high:
My hair stylist just told me that using hot tools on MEDIUM will do the job. High heat will damage the hair in seconds. He also said to think twice about using high heat with hair oils because it’s “like cooking chicken in a frying pan with oil.” So, watch the temperature, redheads..
11. Using dirty styling tools:
Brushes, flat irons, curling tools, dryers… they can all carry a buildup of bacteria if not cleaned from time to time. Make sure to wipe them down or wash them every so often.
..All of these tips are important for redheads because all eyes are on us:
Rock it like a Redhead!