1. Too Much Heat
The tools that make our lives easier can also damage our hair when they're misused. That daily "bump" with your trusty curling iron can slowly but surely dry your ends. Even a one-time application with scorching heat can permanently kill your hair, so take it easy. Try gentler methods for providing curl and volume to your tresses, such as wrapping at night or satin-covered rollers. The occasional pass with a thermal styling tool should be safe, but always use a heat protectant as a barrier between a hot iron and your hair.
2. Bleaching
Bleaching is for white clothing, and when it comes to black hair, you need to ask yourself if you want healthy locks or to be a platinum blonde -- because you usually can't have both. Natural hair can sometimes withstand this extreme lightening, but not without heavy and frequent conditioning, but if you wear yours relaxed, choose another color, preferably one that doesn't lift your natural shade more than three levels.
3. Stripping Relaxers
If you use mayonnaise to try and strip a relaxer from your hair, at least you're not doing it permanent damage (though you're not doing anything else besides coating your hair with a condiment). But if you use dish detergent, harsh shampoos or products that promise to strip chemicals out, then you are very likely causing your hair harm. Relaxers are permanent -- once applied to the hair, the chemical process changes it. Nothing will strip a relaxer, so save your vinegar, coconut milk and detergent. Either practice patience or do the big chop.
4. Using the Wrong Products
Walk into most drugstores or discount stores and chances are you'll see the "ethnic hair" aisle, or little out-of-the-way corner. It's where retailers stock products marketed toward African American consumers. The problem is that many of these products aren't good for black hair. They often contain suffocating ingredients like petroleum, or are so heavy that there's no way your hair will "bounce and behave." Instead of reaching for the first jar that promises instant growth (no such thing), look at the ingredients label. If petroleum or petrolatum is one of the first listed, put it back. You can also leave the ethnic aisle altogether and expand your shopping horizons. Brands like Paul Mitchell work with all hair textures. Your health food store is a great place to shop. There's no need to use cheap, poorly made products that don't benefit your mane.
5. Shampooing Too Often
Daily shampooing is fine for some hair textures, but black hair isn't one of them. Even if you shampoo the recommended once or twice a week, make sure you're using gentle cleansers. Avoid any that contain sodium lauryl sulfate -- it's the ingredient that gives shampoo lots of lather, which is perfect for stripping natural oils out, the opposite of what you want for well-moisturized tresses that don't break.
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