Hair care products and hairstyles that may damage your hair

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Hair care products and hairstyles that may damage your hair

Hair care products that may damage hair and cause it to break or fall out include:

• Curling irons.
• Hot rollers.
• Blow-dryers that overheat.
• Chemical treatments, such as dyes, tints, bleaches, straighteners, and permanent waves.
  • These treatments cause less damage to hair if they are used correctly.
  • If any of these chemicals are used too often, the hair can become weak and break. Hair can also break if the chemicals are left on too long, if two procedures are done on the same day, or if bleach is applied to previously bleached hair.

Hairstyles that pull on the hair (like ponytails, braids, and cornrows) and elastic bands and ribbons used to hold hairstyles in place may cause hair loss. Avoid tight hairstyles, or alternate with looser hairstyles. Minimize use of elastic bands and ribbons in the hair.

Credits

Last updated:	June 17, 2008
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC