How to Prevent Hair Damage and Breakage

Most people want healthy hair. Unfortunately, bad hair care habits can result in damage and breakage. Hair is fragile, and it's vital to treat hair with care. Signs of damaged hair include thinning, slow growth, and hair loss. Many factors play a role in unhealthy hair, and reversing damage often calls for implementing several basic hair care routines.

Instructions

• 1

  Get into a habit of massaging your scalp. Rubbing or massaging your scalp keeps blood circulating to your head, which strengthens your hair follicles and encourages healthy growth.

• 2

  Exercise 30 minutes a day. There is a connection between physical activity and healthy hair. Like scalp massages, exercise promotes blood flow to the scalp and helps prevent and reverse hair damage.

• 3

  Eat protein-rich foods. Because hair is protein, preparing dishes that include a generous portion of protein helps you maintain a healthy head of hair. Foods with protein include eggs, meats, nuts and legumes.

• 4

  Switch your blow dryer setting. Daily heat from drying your hair can damage your locks. Consider air-drying, or use a cooler setting to dry your hair.

• 5

  Limit heat styling. Reduce the use of flat ironing and curling hair with hot curlers.

• 6

  Avoid styles that pull your hair. Ponytails and braids can stress your hair and cause breakage on the ends.

• 7

  Use a professional stylist. Self-coloring your hair and applying other chemicals such as perms can save money, but applying your own chemicals without experience can cause hair damage and loss.