The Worst Products (And Habits) That Damage Your Hair

Taking care of your hair and keeping it beautiful is an important task to do as a woman and a pro cheerleader. This is because hair is the first thing that everyone notices and it amplifies your charm as a dancer during arena and audition dances.

In the endeavor of maintaining a soft, thick, bouncy, and shiny crowning glory, there are things we buy, use, and do that make hair care even harder. The worst part of it is that we don’t immediately notice these bad practices.

Find out which of these hair-management habits and hair products you should avoid.

Bad Products

1. Protein-only conditioners

Hair is made up of a protein called keratin and it is good to use a conditioner that has protein in it. But if you buy a conditioner that is pure protein, you’re destroying your hair by depriving it of moisture. Always check the label of the conditioner first before buying it. Prefer to use products that have both protein and moisturizing properties.

2. Plastic brushes and combs

Our hairs have negative electrical charges. Plastic hair grooming tools have positive charges. Rub them against each other and static electricity is generated. That leads to frizz. Use boar bristles, metal, and wooden combs instead.

3. Products with parabens

Parabens are used to kill bacteria in water-based solutions. They also do the same damage to human cells. This doesn’t necessarily destroy your hair but it affects the health of your scalp which causes hair thinning.

4. Fragranced chemically

Scented shampoos and conditioners have 4,000 separate ingredients at maximum. Like parabens, chemical fragrances also damage your scalp. This won’t just affect your hair growth but also your nervous system. Buy hair products that are scented with essential oils instead

5. Alcohol-based products

Alcohol is a chemical that zaps moisture from your skin. Notice how alcohol-based lotions leave your skin dry? Alcohol does the same to your scalp and hair as well.

Bad Habits

1. Using old styling tools without cleaning them

There’s this one bad haircare habit that all women are guilty of at least once in their life - not removing hair from brushes and combs and not washing them once a month. Oil from our scalp and hair sticks to these tools and makes a good breeding ground for bacteria.

To clean your comb and brushes, soak them in baking soda and brush the dirt and oil off. Rinse thoroughly after. Make it a habit to remove hair from your comb and brush after you’re done using them as well.

2. Tying your hair with rubber bands

Rubber bands are rough on our hairs and can cause breakage if used as a tie. Buy scrunchies that are covered with fabric. Creative tip: If you have no fabric-coated scrunchie, you can use the elastic ear loop from a surgical mask.

3. Treating your tresses roughly

Whether your hair is dry or not, aggressively detangling it will cause your hair to fall out. Not to mention it’s very painful. Always follow the “Start at the bottom softly” rule. The less you pull your hair, the better.

4. Not getting enough protein

Like I’ve mentioned at #1, hair is made up of a protein called keratin. If your diet contains a few of this macronutrient, expect your hair to be weak and brittle. Always make sure to include lean meat, eggs, and fish in your diet.

5. Frequent styling

Dyeing, bleaching, heat-styling, you name it. These hairstyling activities strip your hair of moisture causing breakage and split ends. Even braiding and cornrows cause damage because these hairstyles pull your hair a lot. As much as possible, dye your hair occasionally, reduce heat-styling, and wear two hairstyles - loose and the ponytail.

On your next trip to the health and beauty store, be sure to read the back of the bottle first before buying a product. Just refer to this list for guidance and get rid of bad hair habits now.

Check out more of our hair care and beauty blogs below!

Stay updated with Pro Cheer Life's best fitness, beauty, motivation, and audition day tips

Our professional cheerleading community has all the tools and resources you need to achieve your pro cheer goals. Whether you are a dreamer, pro cheer candidate, newbie or veteran, Pro Cheer Life is here to help you succeed.

Join our community by signing up for our mailing list below. What’s in it for you? We offer you free pro cheerleading advice that will boost not just your pro cheer career but also improve other areas of your life.