How to Know if Your Hair is Damaged and 9 Ways to Prevent It

How do you know if your hair is damaged? We will unveil signs of damage and prevention techniques so you can combat those habits that may be causing harm. 

You may look at your locks in the mirror and wonder, “is there a way to bring back the shine?” Though past damage may be irreversible, you can take action to prevent further harm.

At Spornette, we have been at the heart of the beauty industry for over 60 years. We design our brushes to protect your strands against breakage and tangles so your locks remain strong. Check out our brushes for all hair types and style needs today!

How do you know if your hair is damaged? Let’s find out! 

How to Know if Your Hair is Damaged

Stylists have a couple of suggestions to identify if your strands have taken a hit in the damage department: 

1. Take a strand of hair from the hair shaft and pull it from end to end. If your hair is healthy, it should stretch approximately ⅓ the length of its original size. However, if the strand breaks when pulled, then you know the hair has damage. 
2. Another strand test you can try: take an inch-long section of hair near the end of your hair. Notice the texture. If it feels rough or brittle, you know it is damaged. 

Now that you know you have dry and damaged hair, what was the cause? Several culprits can cause brittle hair, including excessive coloring, chemical treatments, excess heat, and years of styling the hair. Even certain medications we take can cause damage to the hair or hair loss. 

Though some influences may be out of our control, we can take some measures into our own hands. Prevent further damage and protect the new hair that grows to ensure healthy hair! 

Follow these steps if you know your hair is damaged. Your new growth will be so much healthier.

1. Limit Heat Styling of Wet Hair

Stylists recommend you allow your hair to air dry when you can to avoid heat damage. You can use a water-absorbent towel as your hair dries. 

When you need heat style, use the lowest heat setting for both heat styling tools and blow-dryers. And pre-treat with a heat protectant product before applying your tools.

If you are wondering about a temperature gauge, never go above 410 degrees Fahrenheit when using a heat styling tool. Watch how long you contact a tool to the hair. For example, do not leave a curling iron on a lock for longer than 10 seconds. 

2. Buy a High-Quality Brush From Spornette

Can a quality brush offer protection to your hair? Absolutely! Spornette brushes help protect against hair breakage and hair loss and help disperse your strand’s natural oils. 

The Prego Collection comes in six different barrel sizes. Regardless of your hair type or length, you will find the one that fits you. How does the brush offer protection? 

The brush has a ceramic barrel which speeds up the dry time while the tourmaline-infused nylon bristles break up water molecules. A faster dry time means less time blow-drying, offering better protection. 

The Luxury Cushion was designed with boar bristles which naturally distribute your hair’s natural oils as you brush. So for those whose hair is lacking moisture, this will be your go-to! For better protection against breakage, gently brush from roots to end, and it will do the job on those tangles! 

3. Limit Chemical Treatments

What chemical treatments are we talking about when we are talking about serious damage? Perms, Brazilian blowouts, keratin treatments, and relaxing treatments are standard in salons. To prevent damage to your locks, consult with a stylist about a reasonable recovery period in between treatments. 

4. Getting Regular Trims 

Getting a regular trim is healthy for damaged hair because it eliminates flyaways and removes split-ends. Your hair appears healthier and balanced. 

5. Protect Hair From the Sun

Sun can damage the hair making it dry, damaged, or frizzy. Protect hair from the sun by wrapping a scarf around your hair or wearing a wide-brim hat. 

If you swim in chlorine, wear a swim cap to protect hair from pool chemicals. 

There are also unique hair care products on the market to protect against chlorine and saltwater elements. They are worth exploring if you will be out swimming frequently in the summer. 

6. Using a Deep-Conditioning Treatment

Deep conditioning treatments work wonders on heat-damaged hair. 

Most treatments work by raising the cuticles, which allow for the absorption of the conditioner. Deep conditioning hair masks offer incredible moisture to strands and can protect against damage from heat and the environment. 

If you know your hair is damaged, treat yourself to a deep conditioning treatment at least weekly. While it’s not likely to repair damaged hair, it will help protect new growth.

7. Don’t Take Too-Hot Showers

Why do we suggest avoiding hot showers? Hot water can dry out hair and minimize the natural oils on the scalp. The hot water weakens the hair making it prone to breakage. 

If you are looking to prevent damage, rinse hair with cool (or at least not-so-hot) water when you wash. 

8. Choose Gentle Styles 

When choosing an everyday look, try to pick one that minimizes damage to your hair. 

Consider scrunchies, loose braids, wearing it naturally straight or wavy, or pulled back with a few bobby pins. The fewer tools and accessories, the less pull on the hair, which equals less damage to the strands. 

9. Eat a Healthy Diet

Can diet influence damage to hair? It certainly makes a difference. 

A healthy diet can make an impact on hair health. Research has shown diets that lack iron can cause hair loss. 

Check with your doctor before adding any vitamins or changing your diet.

Spornette is Your Partner in Hair Health

Spornette has been at the heart of hair health for over 60 years. We care about prevention and protection, which is why we put careful consideration into every design of our brushes. 

Not all damage to your hair is preventable. Let Spornette be your partner to help you take the steps you can to keep your hair looking gorgeous. Check out our recommended brushes so you have the tools you need to fight the battle against damage daily.