Ask a group of women their number one concern when it comes to their hair and they’ll probably say ‘damage’. Because between styling, washing and central heating, our precious ends have a lot to contend with.
But, there's more to the story. A new global hair study carried out by Dyson revealed that while over 7 in 10 of us believe that our hair is damaged, citing the likes of hair loss and dandruff, there is a collective misconception around what 'damaged' constitutes.
'Dandruff, hair loss and greying hair are not forms of damage, but scalp and hair growth concerns,' explains Rob Smith, Dyson Senior Principal Hair Scientist. 'Hair damage refers to the breakdown of the hair cuticle and cortex, which can lead to your hair looking frizzy, dull, or snapping off.'
How to tell if you have damaged hair
One of the easiest ways to check if you actually do have damaged hair is by taking a strand of your hair between your fingers and gently pulling it at either end; if it stretches to around a third of its length, then your hair is damage free.
But if it snaps or stretches, without returning to its original length, then this could be a sign of dryness and/or damage.
So then, how can you prevent such a thing from happening in the first place?
How to prevent hair damage in winter
Be cautious of over-washing
Fact: 8 in 10 people wash their hair every day, per a new Dyson global hair study. And though subjective depending on your hair type and environment, this can be one of the real culprits for prompting damage.
'Overwashing can be very damaging, stripping the scalp of natural oils while leaving hair dry,' says Smith. 'Generally, the greasier your hair or scalp is, the more often you can consider washing your hair. Straight hair may feel limp more easily due to oil build-up, while waves, curls and coils absorb oil and require less washing.'
Think about pollution
'Consider the pollution levels in your environment and wash off pollution from hair too, as a combination of pollution and ultraviolet elements can cause increased levels of hair damage,' adds Smith. You can do this by incorporating a weekly scalp scrub into your routine. Look for those that cleanse or rinse the scalp without using any harsh acids which can strip it of natural oils.
Opt for wet to dry stylers
'When creating curls or smoothing coily, textured or curly hair always look at wet to dry styler such as the Dyson Airwrap, which doesn’t use excessive heat and therefore creates the ultimate shine and healthier hair,' says Dyson's Global Hair Ambassador, Larry King.
Invest in a microfibre towel
If you thought a microfibre towel a superfluous addition to your haircare routine, think again. Towel drying your hair puts it at major risk of damage; it's coarser and drier than your natural hair which can weaken the hair making it more prone to damage. On the flip side, a microfibre towel is quick-drying and kind to tresses.
Use a paddle brush
If you are using heat styling tools, you'd be prudent to use a paddle brush, too. 'When straightening your hair it’s always good to use a paddle brush which lets air flow go through the hair, smoothing it and creating shine,' adds King.
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