We all know that the usual things that affect our hair like heat styling and colouring, but there are other things affecting our hair that you’d not even expecting.
About 2 months ago, I was sitting in the chair at my hairdresser about to get my hair cut. I mentioned I was worried about the damage at the ends of my hair. I’ve been trying hard to grow my hair long again and I thought I was doing all the right things. I couldn’t figure out why I had so much damage at the ends of my hair.
Then my hairdresser asked me an unusual question, “Which side do you wear your handbag?”
It’s a common a problem that she sees all the time but it never occurred to me. I was always catching my hair under my hair bag strap and the pulling and tearing was causing breakage. Since then, I take care to try and move my hair out of the way. I also switch up which shoulder I’m carrying my bag on so at least the damage is equal.
1. Your handbag
So of course the first thing on my list that is unexpectedly damaging your hair is your handbag.
If your hair is past shoulder length, you’ll know the pain of getting your hair caught under your handbag strap. Take care when using your bag and make sure that it’s not pulling at your hair.
2. Your hands
The second thing that’s unexpectedly damaging your hair is your hands.
If you’re a chronic hair twirler, like me, you’ll find that you’re doing it unconsciously. All that twirling of hair stretches it and causes more breakage. Plus just think about all the dirt from your hands going on to your hair. This means you have to wash it more often as well.
And it may not even be your hands doing the damage. I was chatting to a girlfriend last week who said that her baby is now pulling at her hair all the time and she’s now always having to wear her hair up.
It’s hard to keep little ones hands away, but try and keep your hands out of your hair to prevent any damage.
3. Your ponytail
The third thing causing unexpected damage to your hair is your ponytail.
A ponytail is an easy go-to hairstyle but wearing your hair in same tight upstyle everyday is causing damage. If your ponytail is very tight, it puts pressure on the roots of your hair and can cause hair loss known as traction alopecia. Luckily this hair loss is not permanent but it can be pretty obvious and difficult to deal with.
As well as hair loss, there’s also damage caused around your hair elastic. Wearing your hair in the same style every day puts pressure on that hair and you’ll end up with breakage around your hair elastic.
The solution to this is pretty simple – just switch up your hairstyle and move that ponytail up or down to even out the pressure on your hair.
If you’re looking for inspiration check my hairstyle tutorials here or get your hands on one of my easy hairstyle ebooks here.
Have you been damaging your hair without even realising it?
I love all the great tips on your blog. When i turned 40, my hair started to have more split ends. I looked like I had stuck my finger in an outlet all the time. lol. I now make sure to take biotin and collagen supplements, drink nourishing herbal infusions and use organic products as well as eat organic. This has helped not only my hair, but i look younger than women my age. Keep up the great work here!
All good points. I didn’t know about hair bungees before. I’ll be getting some. Thanks for the tip! You’ve given me SO many. I agree that ponytails and hair ties are a problem But bobbypins can be, too. Today when taking out a messy, loose bun, I COULD NOT get one of the pins out without taking out a two inch piece of my beloved hair.
AND regarding hands, I have pretty long hair now, after years of “professional” shorter cuts. I love, love,love my longer hair. And I feel truly ME with my long hair, after many years of fitting in a work mold. So I very much love touching my hair. It is a great, sensual pleasure. I can’t stop now. ?
Thanks Robin! I am sitting here playing with my hair too and just realised I have to stop touching my hair so much! I do it without thinking. If you’re careful it shouldn’t do too much damage (the twirling is a problem for me) but it still means I have to wash my hair more often xx oh and there’s nothing worse than getting one hair caught in a bobby pin!!
Thanks for the tips! I never thought about my handbag but it’s so true! P.s. love your pic at the top of this post, you look gorgeous!
Thanks Michelle! The handbag thing is weird isn’t it? I am so much more careful now x