Are you struggling with damaged hair? Whether it’s due to stress, excessive heat styling, seasonal change, or other factors, achieving your hair goals is possible by making a few adjustments in your routine. Keep reading for our top tips for maintaining healthy strands all year long.

What is hair damage and what causes it?

Hair damage occurs when your hair cuticle, the protective outer layer of your hair, has cracks in its exterior. When the cuticle is damaged, this can cause your hair dull, dry, frizzy, and brittle. Some common causes of hair damage are:

- Heat styling

- Chemical treatments - straightening treatments, perms, etc.

- Stress

- Sun damage

- Hair product buildup

- Health conditions - vitamin deficiency, hypothyroidism, etc.

- Excess friction

How do you maintain healthy hair?

Don’t overwash your hair

Beware of excess hair washing. You may think you're keeping your scalp clean of oils and dirt but this can actually cause a lot of damage to your hair. Overwashing strips away the natural oils and proteins that keep your hair healthy and we don’t want that! Try limiting hair washes to 3 times a week. If you're experiencing excess oil in between washes, spritz a hair refresher on your roots to revive your blowout.

Use the right shampoo and conditioner

Speaking of washing your hair, not only is it important to avoid overwashing, but it’s also important to wash your hair with the right products. Use shampoos and conditioners that are gentle and formulated with hair-loving ingredients. Look for ingredients that will strengthen your strands and help maintain healthy hair. One of our favorite ingredients is coconut oil which helps to moisturize the scalp and adds luster and shine without adding weight. All Inclusive Shampoo and Body Wash, reinvigorates dull hair and skin so you can do more with less during your shower routine. When shampooing, apply one pump and massage into your scalp using your fingertips, not your nails. Follow with our Scenic Route Hair Treatment. This 3-in-1 restorative hair treatment can be used as a daily conditioner, hydrating hair mask, and detangling leave-in treatment. Hydrate your strands and treat them to a powerful combination of grape seed and coconut oil. The result is silky, frizz-free, and style-ready hair.<product>1,2</product>

Turn down the water temperature

Now that it’s getting cold outside, we know how amazing a hot shower feels after a long day. Unfortunately, hot showers don’t provide any benefits for your hair. They dry and weaken your hair and irritate your scalp. To avoid dry and frizzy strands, turn down the heat! We recommend using lukewarm water and then quickly rinsing your hair with cold water at the end of your shower to seal the cuticles shut and boost shine.

Brush your hair the right way

Brushing your hair might seem simple but did you know there’s a method to hair brushing to avoid damage? Don’t tug and pull at your hair while brushing. Use a wide-tooth comb to brush through any tangles, starting at the ends of your hair. Use short strokes and gradually work up towards your roots (while still brushing downwards) with longer strokes. Brushing your hair directly from top to bottom causes more knots and will result in more damage and breakage. Combing hair while in the shower with conditioner can minimize strain and evenly coat the strands to help detangle.

Maintain a healthy diet

One of the quickest ways to improve and maintain hair health is by eating nutrient-rich foods! Did you know hair is made up of protein (aka keratin)? Eating an adequate amount of protein results in healthier strands. Good sources of these nutrients are:

- Eggs

- Fish

- Meat

- Berries

- Avocados

- Vegetables

Don’t forget to stay hydrated! Drinking water daily results in healthy skin, nails, and hair.

Try to avoid using hot tools

It's best to avoid using hot tools like blow-dryers, curling irons, and straighteners. These hair tools will suck the moisture out of your strands with regular use and can fry your hair if used incorrectly or too often. When using heat tools, use the lowest setting possible needed to achieve your look.

Don’t forget to trim your hair

Getting regular hair trims can help maintain hair health and keep your locks looking fresh. By getting rid of any damaged or split ends, your hair will look shinier, smoother and healthier.

What are your best hair tips? Let us know @Wander_Beauty!