Nothing says "I'm stressed!" like a flyaway-filled, last-minute bun. But before you blame it on frizz, think about how you've been treating your hair. Even innocent daily rituals like brushing roughly or wearing a too-tight ponytail can cause fragile strands to break—leaving you with a bunch of short little pieces to remind you of your harried hair health. Check out these habits that aren't doing your hair any favors, and some simple tips to make your hair long and strong again.
1. You love a good towel dry.
Towels feel soft on your skin, but they're too rough for fragile strands. Toss the towel and gently squeeze and blot the hair (never rub!) with an old T-shirt. It'll still soak up excess moisture—but won't cause breakage.
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2. Your brush is more plastic than Barbie.
Boar-bristle brushes (or boar bristle with nylon) are much more gentle than plastic bristles, which have less give, making them more likely to snag and snap your hair. They're also superior for smoothing hair and distributing natural oils. Try the Umberto Beverly Hills Boar Bristle Brush ($13, target.com).
3. Your dryer's set permanently on hot.
First, let your hair dry naturally, about 70 to 80% of the way dry. Then, with your dryer on the coolest setting (it's time to let that hot setting go!), blow your hair dry, keeping the dryer about 6 inches away from hair at all times and moving it around continuously. Voilà: gorgeous, healthy hair, without the heat.
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4. You still follow that 100 strokes rule.
Sorry, but mother doesn't always know best. Giving your hair a nightly 100 strokes, excessive teasing, or even a few too many rough shampoos will cause the cuticle (the outer layer of the hair shaft) to fray, exposing the fragile inner shaft. The result? Hair breakage. Detangle with a wide-tooth comb starting from the bottom up, using the smallest number of strokes possible.
5. Your pillowcase could give sandpaper a run for its money.
Your head is 9 pounds of dead weight on your pillow. Tossing and turning with that weight is bound to break a few strands. For less breakage, choose a silk or satin pillowcase. They won't absorb any of your hair's precious natural oils, and their smooth surfaces keep hair breakage-free while you toss and turn. (Finally get back to sleeping through the night and keep hot flashes under control with the expert advice in The Natural Menopause Solution.)
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6. Your ponytail's tight enough to keep your eyes from closing all the way.
The pressure of a super-tight rubber band around a ponytail can wear away at your hair's cuticle and cause the strands to break. Anything that puts tension on the hair follicle for a long time, like braids or extensions, can pull hair out by the roots and even cause balding. Switch to gentler hair ties, like Goody SlideProof Elastics ($4.80, target.com). And if braids, extensions, or an up-do feels too tight, urge your hairstylist to start over.
