Want to know what's worse than having to accept a breakup? Accepting the fact that your hair is damaged. I know ladies, let it all out. The first stage of recovery is admitting the truth. Now that you have come to the conclusion that having a bad hair day EVERYDAY is pretty unusual, we can proceed on to recover those stresses.

Let's start by acknowledging the types of damages on your hair. Damaged hair is difficult to manage and style, as it has become unruly in one way or the other. Some side effects that indicate the hair is damaged are:

Excessive split ends

Excessive breakage

Dry, rough, dull hair

Limp hair

Constant tangled hair

Very little to no growth

Hair won't return to natural state

In most cases, damaged hair does not happen overnight. Unless you turned into Bill Nye and had a field day with chemical products on your hair, then that damage was probably built up over time. This damage buildup usually pertains to unkept maintenance that you may have thought was harmless. Keep track of your hair routine and list what you may be overdoing it on.

Below we have a list of some things you could be doing that may be the cause of your damaged hair, along with some solutions to help you get back on track.

1. Over Washing Hair

Some people tend to believe that their hair needs to be washed daily which is completely wrong. There is a such thing as hair having too much moisture. Washing the hair too often strips needed natural oils out of the cuticle, causing weak, dull hair. Also, when the hair is constantly wet, it causes the hair shaft to swell, resulting in elasticity that easily breaks. We may have to take it a few years back but ladies, "a little dirt, won't hurt".

Solution: Limit washing hair to no more than twice a week. If needed, use a spray bottle or dry shampoo for that clean feeling during the week. You may also want to try co-washing.

2. Under Washing Hair

Yes, everyone's hair is different and washing twice a week may not be necessary to some, but it's pretty safe to say somewhere between two weeks your hair needs to hit some water. Not washing the hair for 3-4 weeks can be unsafe. Hair needs moisture, especially for thick, curly or natural textured hair. Waiting that long to wash the hair will cause build-up not to mention dry, brittle strands.

Solution: It can take some time to get dry hair back to its normal state. Establish certain wash days and how long your hair can go before feeling course. Opt to wash hair weekly and invest in a good deep conditioner.

3. Brushing Wet/Dry Hair

Styling wet hair with a brush can be dangerous in that the hair is more elastic, meaning it's more susceptible to break.

When the hair is dry, brushing it will cause a great amount of breakage. The bristles are tough enough to rip the hair right out of the shaft or break it in half.

Solution: Ditch the brush and use a wide tooth comb to detangle and your hands to style.

4. Towel Drying

Listen up, towels are our hairs Kryptonite. It can become quite annoying waiting hours for that soaking hair to dry, but please have faith in a cotton t-shirt or special towel designed specifically for the hair. Many people use great conditioning hair treatments, stay away from heat and protect the hair daily, to only still end up with damaged hair and not understand why. Towels are too coarse for the hair, it roughs up the cuticle and causes frizz and breakage.

Solution: Remember that high school or college t-shirt that you loved so much but every time you try it on you look like you're on the verge of turning into the Hulk? Yeah, that one. That will be your new hair towel.

5. Overusing Heat Tools

Flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers OH MY! No matter the product or the manufacturer, applying extra heat to your hair will result in a dry cuticle that cracks with pressure, leading to breakage. Even with a heat protector, if you are using the tool daily damage will eventually occur.

If you are using a heat tool on wet hair, then damage will occur much faster. The water in the hair turns to steam, bursts out of the cuticle and evaporates, so no moisture is being sealed. Split ends will certainly arise.

Solution: Try to go at least a month to two months apart before using heat products. Always use a heat protectant before styling and a serum after you style.

6. Climate

Though natural, the sun can also be seen as a heating tool. Too much sun will have the same effect on the hair as a flat iron or blow dryer. Just as the skin gets sun damage, so does your hair.

In retrospect, cold weather causes water in the cuticle to lift and once you hit warm weather the moisture is stripped away. End result, dry hair even in cold climates. On top of hard, frozen hair that breaks away.

Solution: Hey, if Pharrell can start a new trend so can you. It may be time to invest in some cool hats. If hats are not your thing, try looking into silk scarfs or protective styling. Braids seem to be causing an uproar this summer.
7. Diet

It's not just what you put on your hair but what your hair takes in. Fatty, sugary foods can lead to dull hair and even dandruff. You must provide your body with the necessary nutrients to nourish those locks.

Solution: Eat foods high in protein (fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish, nuts, etc.)

8. Chemicals

As stated above, the quickest way to damage the hair is by using chemicals. This includes hair coloring, bleaching, relaxers, perms and products with unruly chemicals.

Solution: If you're going to use chemicals, go at least three months apart before applying it to your hair. Invest in hair treatments and deep conditioners.

These solutions should help your hair become more manageable. Although your damaged hair may not exactly return to it's normal state, these tips will assist in blending the damaged strands with healthy new growth. Just as damaging the hair took time, renewing the hair takes time as well. If you are wanting to speed up the process, Hair La Vie's all-natural hair vitamins will divide that growth time in half. You can double the amount of hair growth an average person reaches in a month along with repairing the old damaged hair.

Good luck on getting back to healthy hair!