Ask Elle: How To Stop Hair Breakage

This is one of the most-asked questions I get! Below is listed what I do to avoid hair breakage. It is a little extreme? Maybe, but I don't have damage. Check it out:

• Never brush hair when wet--I've even seen this done in salons and I cringe every time. You are breaking your hair! Use a wide-tooth comb & gently do it. Bonus: See my hair routine here.
• Avoid sleeping with wet hair--Hair is most fragile when wet (see tip above). Since hairstyles sometimes call for a sleep-in-it-overnight direction, try damp hair instead.
• Use satin pillowcase--Your hair will thank you! Goodbye, frizzy hair (and crease marks). See my other reasons for loving satin pillowcases here.
• Try sulfate-free--I use both shampoos with sulfates & those without. If your hair is totally damaged, try sulfate-free.
• Try a cold shot--I rinse in cold water & then cool down my hair with cold air. The cold is thought to seal cuticles.
• Avoid overwashing--There is no rule that says you must wash your hair every day! Washing too frequently can result in overproduction of oil, if you've an oily scalp, or drying hair out. I used to wash daily. It was very frizzy and dry. I slowly trained my hair (it's possible!) to now I can wash once or twice a week! Bonus: If you color your hair, avoid washing it a couple of days before your next color. Your hair won't be as dried out.
• Keep conditioner on ends only--The ends are the driest part and they need hydration. Conditioner all over hair leads to a greasy scalp, overwashing, etc. I've also seen hair damaged by too much conditioner!
• Don't rub the towel to dry--This is going back to hair being fragile when wet. That rubbing of your hair creates friction, frizziness and damage. Instead, I squeeze the water out and then keep a towel on my shoulders to let me hair dry.
• No turbans--Again, I avoid anything that twists my hair when it's wet. I only put my hair in a turban if I'm putting on clothes. After that, I put a towel on my shoulders like a cape & let my hair hang. No, water doesn't run all over my back/clothes, and I have long hair!
• The 70% rule--If you wait until hair is 70% dry before using a blow dryer, you will experience less breakage and damage. Bonus tip: Use the nozzle that came with your dryer. It will help focus the heat on where it's needed, instead of blowing your hair all over the place.
• Heat protectant always--I'm surprised at how many of us religiously use heat protectant before styling, but not before blowdrying. Keep that hair protected.

instagram (ellesees) pics of my hair,

which I now realize look kinda creepy :/

PS: Have a hair/beauty question you'd like answered? 

A hair/beauty tutorial you'd like me to recreate? 

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