Sometimes it can feel as though despite having perfected our everyday haircare routine and avoided all the known major causes of damaged hair, we’re still perplexed by the appearance of dull and lifeless hair.

Sometimes it can feel as though despite our low maintenance haircare routine, we’re still perplexed by the appearance of dull and rough hair. Most of us have taken a break from our daily hot tools over the last year, going from 9-5 glam to zoom call chic. So, what gives?

It turns out, there may be hidden perpetrators keeping the luscious locks of your dreams at bay (gasp). We all know the usual suspects of hair damage—things like blowouts, chemical lifting, and aggressive brushing. While some are easy to spot, more often, things are harming your hair without you even knowing it. How sneaky!

So, let’s look at some of the covert causes, and spoiler—it’s not just in your head!

What is hair damage?

Did you know that a strand of hair consists of an inner hair fiber surrounded by a protective exterior cuticle? If the cuticle breaks down, it separates from the fragile inner fiber, resulting in split ends. Oh no!

Lucky for us, help is within reach. There are some surprisingly simple yet highly effective changes you can make to take your haircare to the next level.

Brushing wet hair

Hair is weakest when it’s wet, so be gentle after you wash it. One of the worst things you can do is drag a brush through to detangle it—this causes your hair to stretch and break. Instead, try detangling hair when it’s dry, or consider using a wide-toothed comb in the shower and gently comb the conditioner through your strands. After your shower, use a few drops of Hair La Vie’s Argan Oil to seal moisture into the cuticles and give your hair some lightweight sheen!

Too much heat & not using heat-protective spray

Excessive use of high-heat tools like blow dryers and flat irons causes brittleness and breakage. One easy step is to simply reduce how often you use heat-based hair products. So consider bringing the heat only when you’re really trying to impress!

When you do use one of these tools, keep damage to a minimum by moving in a constant motion and applying product before you hit your hair with the heat. Think of it as a sunblock. You’d never lay in the sun without putting sunblock on first, right? By applying it beforehand, your product can take some of the heat and save your hair from some unwelcome frying.

Too many styling products

Excessive product use paired with minimal washing in-between can lead to unwanted, waxy buildup and dullness. Use alcohol-based hair sprays, drying salt texturizing products, and even our beloved, time-saving Dry Shampoo sparingly. Daily overuse can suffocate the hair follicle resulting in hair shedding.

Cotton pillowcases

While you think you’re getting beauty sleep, your cotton pillowcase may be causing coarse friction to your hair! Friction has a grinding effect on your hair—weakening it, and causing it to break. While cotton is the standard pillowcase material, it actually strips your natural oils, and leaves you with tangles, dryness, and split ends. We feel betrayed!

To supercharge your beauty sleep a silk pillowcase and a great leave-in conditioner is your best friend to wake up feeling pampered. Try Hair La Vie’s mineral-rich Nº 77 Leave-In. It’ll leave your hair smelling heavenly with coconut milk, sandalwood, and rose.

Rough bath towels

You may think that drying your hair with a towel is gentler than blow-drying, and in some ways, that’s true. However, vigorously rubbing your hair with terry cloth can rough up the cuticles, causing frizz and long-term damage to the strand. Instead, blot your hair gently with a towel to minimize friction, or better yet, switch to a velvety microfiber towel instead.

Hot water

The same damage caused by flat irons and hair dryers can also happen from scorching hot water in the shower. Here’s a simple rule to follow—if it’s too hot for your face, it’s too hot to put in your hair. Warm water is ideal for shampooing. Then, after you condition, do a quick rinse with cold water to seal the cuticle closed and boost shine.

Tight hairstyles

Tight buns and ponytails cause a constant tugging and tension on the hair follicle which can lead to hair loss. Opt for a chic and loose bun instead, and apply Hair La Vie’s Renewing Growth Treatment made with capixyl to support hair growth and density.

Skipping regular trims

Frequent trims are essential for growing out your hair. As soon as you start to notice split ends, it’s time for a cut. Otherwise, the damage will just continue up the shaft. A regular trim every three months or so is ideal, depending on hair growth rate and thickness.

Over-washing and under-washing

The purpose of shampooing is to cleanse the scalp and remove oil buildup on your hair.

But over-washing can strip away your hair's natural protective oils, leaving your hair dry. On the other hand, infrequent washing can also cause issues like blocking your hair follicles with debris and waxy buildup. Make sure you use a gentle shampoo that effectively removes impurities. Try the Hair La Vie Shampoo, a pepperminty formula with silk amino acid to restore and strengthen, and vitamin B5 to nourish the scalp. Your hair will feel clean and light, and your scalp will be fresh without being stripped.

Final thoughts

Now that we’ve blown their cover, you know what to look out for. By making a few slight habit changes, you can dial down the damage and help your hair reach its gorgeous and glossy potential!