THE SILENT HAIR KILLER- Why mechanical damage is actually what is ruining your hair.

Mechanical hair damage! This is a topic that I am all too passionate about, because I see the effects of mechanical damage every single day. It is severely underestimated and under rated. People are all too quick to overlook how they are treating their hair at home on a daily basis, and jump to the wrong conclusions about why it must be so damaged and broken. 

This is not to say that mechanical damage is always the reason your hair won’t grow past a certain point, but it definitely plays a huge role. 95% of your hair’s health comes from what you are doing at home! As your stylist, I may only see you once every 2-3 months at the most. That means the majority of hair care is up to you. Did you know that mechanical damages such as improper brushing or wearing ponytails that are way too tight can actually do just as much, if not more destruction to your hair than chemical damage!? 

Plus- add in the fact that you wear hair extensions. Now you will be replacing your hair way sooner than you would like because you are being way too rough when it comes to washing, brushing, and ponytails. I see guests come back with incredibly perfect extension grow outs, and I know they took their home care seriously. They are gentle when washing and brushing, they don’t wear their hair up too tight, and they use really high quality products that help keep their hair moisturized and manageable. On the other hand, some guests come back after only a few weeks with matting, tons of popped beads, and horribly dry and brittle extensions. This means a number of things are happening: they are brushing their hair way too aggressively, causing massive tension and they sometimes even snag the top of the row causing lots of slippage and beads to pop, they are also not using the recommended products or taking the necessary time to take care of their extensions. 

Something as simple as adding a deep conditioning mask or a leave-in conditioner to your hair routine could make all the difference when it comes to preventing mechanical damage. How does that make sense? By keeping your hair hydrated, it will be much easier to detangle and style! There is absolutely NO REASON that brushing your hair after you wash it should be painful or extremely difficult. If that’s the case, you need to take a hard look at the products you are using and adjust based on your hair’s texture and needs. Ripping a brush through your wet hair in an aggressive way is the fastest way to cause tons of damage. When the hair is wet, it is actually in its most vulnerable state, so you should be starting at the bottom and working your way up in the most gentle manner possible. Try adding in the Goldie Locks Signature Serum, Leave-In Conditioner, or the Hydrating Mask to your routine- and take your time when it comes to brushing! I guarantee that your hair will start to feel softer and healthier than ever! Also- you can check out my Instagram to see a tutorial on how to properly brush damp hair- especially your hair extensions! It could make all the difference. If you try it- send me a message and let me know how it goes for you!