by Melissa Nykorchuk

Created on: April 25, 2010   Last Updated: April 28, 2010

Long hair can be beautiful, shiny and free from tangles, if you learn how to take care of your hair and reduce daily hair breakage.

Avoid Using Hair Ties

Hair ties, especially those small bands that create pony tails, can break hair easily.  The tension caused when you create a pony tail may create excessive breakage.  Use hair clips instead or if you must put your hair up using a hair tie, put your hair up loosely.  Today product manufacturers make hair ties that are more gentle on hair.   Avoid the hair ties that still use metal to piece together the band because the metal band gets snagged in hair, creating breakages.

Stop Blowdrying Your Hair

Hair that is dried using a blowdryer will break, regardless of the amount of conditioner or styling product you put into it.  It is safe to blowdry your hair, but excessive blowdrying leads to breakage.  If hair breakage is an issue for you, allow your hair to air dry as often as possible.

Highlights and Coloring Weaken Hair

When your hair is chemically processed, as it is when you get highlights or coloring done, your hair becomes weaker and more prone to breaking.  If you already have thin or otherwised damaged hair, avoid highlights or coloring and use a natural color rinse instead to add color to your hair.

Don't Brush Hair When Wet

When you brush your hair when it is wet, you risk severe breakage.  Hair that is wet should be combed through with your fingers first, then a large toothed comb and then a brush.  Running a brush through wet and tangled hair will result in breakage that you could have easily avoided.

Use Detangling Products

If tangled hair is a problem for you, use detangling products and run them through your hair with your fingers before you try to comb your hair.  Detangling products are great at removing snarls and tangles and should be used to avoid hair breakage.

Hot Oil Treatments Will Moisturize Hair

Hair that is dry and damaged is more prone to breakage.  If you use hot oil treatments once a week on your hair, it will be healthier and less dry.  Hair that is well moisturized won't break as easily with normal, every day treatment.  Keep your hair healthy by moisturizing it with hot oil treatments about once a week.

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