HEALTHY LIVING

11 Hair Mistakes You’re Making That May Be Ruining Your Luscious Locks

Published

8 years ago

07/06/2017

I remember the day I killed my hair. I had just finished an at-home straightening treatment that reeked of rotten eggs, and I was trying to style my new coif. But my locks were oddly limp and lifeless, the bangs clingy to my forehead. I reached up and pulled at some of the strands around my face, only to have them break off in my hand. This is just one example of the many hair mistakes I’ve made in my life.

Over the years, I’ve done some major damage to my hair. I’ve bleached it, dyed it, straightened it. I even shaved it on the aforementioned day when my hair died. I got a lot of props for being bold and confident – basically a Puerto Rican Sinead O’Connor without a ripped-up picture of the Pope – but the truth was that I had pushed my poor follicles to their limit. But even without the constant coloring and heating, there are plenty of ways women ruin their hair. From daily rituals to one-time occurrences, here are all the ways you’re ruining your hair – and how to turn things around and make your hair the healthiest it’s ever been.

1)You Shampoo Too Much

I frequently fall prey to this one, as I live in New York City and feel the need to wash my hair every time I ride the subway. But the experts seem to agree that no matter what type of hair you have (or how often you use public restrooms) washing your hair every day is detrimental to maintaining healthy, shiny locks because it strips your mane of necessary oils. Jill Soller-Mihlek, a hairstylist at Dvir Salon (which has locations in both Brooklyn and Manhattan), recommends washing “only every second or third day, or alternate with a conditioner-only wash.”

2)You Use Crappy Shampoo

I used to pride myself on paying the least amount of money possible for a shampoo that smelled like coconuts. But I noticed that my hair wasn’t too happy with this money-saving decision. Although shampoo doesn’t have to be expensive to work well, it needs to contain the right ingredients. “Many shampoos contain harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate that can dry out your hair,” says Soller-Mihlek, who suggests switching to a sulfate-free shampoo.

Try: Oribe Hair Care Signature Shampoo, $39, Amazon

3)You Use the Wrong Shampoo

Who knew that there was so much you could be doing wrong with your shampoo? But it’s true, it’s not just about shampooing less frequently or using a sulfate-free shampoo. Take note of your hair type or coloring proclivities and go from there. “Some shampoos can wreak havoc on colored hair, so it’s important to use one formulated for color-treated hair if you color your hair,” says Soller-Mihlek. “If your hair is very oily and lacks volume, you probably don’t want a shampoo with heavy moisturizers, just as if your hair is on the frizzy or poofy side, you wouldn’t want to use a volumizing one.”

Try: Biolage Colorlast Shampoo & Conditioner Duo, $36.50, Amazon

4)You Condition Wrong

Slathering on conditioner can result in a false sense of hair security, what with that silky, soft feeling it gives your locks. But there’s a good chance that whether you’re leaving conditioner on too long or just using it too often, it’s weighing your hair down or making your scalp feel filmy.

Try: ArtNaturals Daily Hair Conditioner with Argan Oil, $14.95, Amazon

5)You Condition Your Roots

Guess what? Your roots are doing just fine, thank you, and don’t need to be conditioned! Conditioner is meant to give moisture back to the parts of your hair that need it,” explains Soller-Mihlek. “This usually means the mid-lengths and ends -not the roots.” Soller-Mihlek adds that “the only time conditioner needs to go on your roots is if your are doing a conditioner-only wash.”

6)You Blast Your Dryer on the Highest Heat

It’s tempting to blast your hair during your at-home blowout. After all, says Soller-Mihlek, “the higher the heat, the smoother the blowout.” But according to Women’s Health, super-hot settings actually cause the water in your hair to boil (eep!), which can result in cuticle damage (plus, OMG, you’re boiling your hair!). But there are ways to minimize the damage, says Soller-Mihlek. Most importantly, she advises using a heat-protection product. Another tip? “Rough dry the hair at a medium temperature until it’s about 50% dry before you go in with a brush and turn up the heat, and lastly, try not to let the dryer nozzle have too much contact with your hair,” Soller-Mihlek says. “If you aim the air down the hair shaft, you can hold the nozzle just above the hair and still get a smooth finish.”

Try: XTAVA Allure Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer, $36, Amazon

7)You Use a Flatiron Without Protection

Using a flatiron is like having a drunken one-night stand with a stranger: inadvisable, potentially dangerous, and something you may regret later. But we do it anyways in our quest for straight hair. When you do decide to straighten your hair, use protection in the form of a thermal protecting spray – otherwise, all that heat can cause breakage and split ends.

Try: Rusk Thermal Shine Spray, $12, Amazon

8)You Use a Flatiron on Wet Hair

“Why would you flat iron wet hair,” Soller-Mihlek asks. “Why would you do that? Who does that? Don’t do that.” She’s right; your hair should be bone-dry before you start to iron it. Even a little leftover moisture from a protection serum can cause your locks to sizzle and scorch like bacon in a frying pan.

9)You Don’t Trim Your Split Ends

When growing out your hair, you may distance yourself from the salon thinking a cut would defeat the purpose of your master hair plan. But know that your split ends have a master plan of their own. “The thing about split ends is that they don’t just stay at the ends,” warns Soller-Mihlek. “If you don’t get rid of them with regular trims, they will continue to split all the way up the hair shaft, and when you finally decide to get a trim, you’ll need to cut a lot more to get it looking healthy. Even if you are trying to grow out your hair, I always recommend a teeny ‘microtrim’ at least every 6-8 weeks.”

10)You Brush Your Hair Too Much

Disney makes brushing your hair seem so glamorous (especially if it’s done with a dinglehopper), but in reality, there’s such a thing as too much brushing. “Brushing too much can cause split ends and make your hair frizzy,” says Soller-Mihlek, who explains that using “a good detangling brush” – she likes the Tangle Teezer ($11.99 on Amazon) and The Wet Brush ($7.83 on Amazon) – “will help to get the knots out without roughing up your tresses too much.”

Tangle Teezer, $10.99, Amazon; The Wet Brush, $9, Amazon

11)You Go Crazy With the Bleaching

We all kinda already know that bleach is bad for our hair, but we do it anyway. “It’s still the best way to get a nice pale blonde,” says Soller-Mihlek. But she suggests going to a salon that uses Olaplex. “a great product that can be added to the bleach mixture to prevent breakage, and help mend already damaged hair.” Moms-to-be, take note: Soller-Mihlek herself has “personally switched to highlights instead of a double-process blonde – it not only saves half of my hair from any chemical processing, but it’s safer for preggo ladies like me because the bleach doesn’t come into contact with the scalp,” she says.

HEALTHY LIVING

Holiday advice to keep pets happy, healthy

Published

1 week ago

01/08/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) While family and friends share gifts and hearty meals during the holidays, pets are there to share snuggles and comfort. This year, make sure you protect the joy of the season by keeping pets safe as you likely introduce new foods, decor and other potential hazards in the home.

Share the holiday cheer with your pets by unwrapping peace of mind with these suggestions from the experts at VCA Animal Hospitals.

Manifest Holiday Mindfulness
Keeping your pets (and yourself) happy and healthy throughout the holiday season isn’t just about the physical. Don’t forget the mental and mindful aspect of care with these fun, easy ways to spread cheer.

Practice Self-Care Together: Enjoy a “spaw” day with pet-safe grooming products, throw a holiday-themed movie night, grab your favorite blanket for a cuddle session or try pet yoga.
Manifest Happiness: Write five reasons you’re grateful each morning, send holiday notes to those you care about, play interactive games during festivities and put a little extra thought into gift-giving.
Supercharge Your Calm: Meditate with your pet, unplug from social media to be present with loved ones (including pets), take a deep breath during special moments and accept that some things may go wrong during this hectic season.
Get Moving: Go for a winter walk, teach your pet a new trick, create an indoor obstacle course, enjoy a playdate at the dog park or introduce your pet to a new toy.

Avoid Toxic Foods and Hazardous Items
Your festivities are sure to be filled with love, laughter and joy, but all that celebrating is likely to include decorations and delicious foods that are harmful to pets.

Pets are often naturally curious and may be attracted to bright, shiny items like candles and decorations. Protect against accidents by keeping decorations like tinsel, ribbon, open-flame candles and fragile ornaments out of reach. Avoid plants like poinsettias, mistletoe, lilies, holly and amaryllis that may be toxic to pets. Be sure to cover or hide exposed electrical cords and exposed Christmas tree water.

Many common festive foods are bad for pets. It may be tough to resist those cute, begging eyes, but your pet’s health will benefit from your restraint. Keep chocolate, candy, fatty meat and bones, alcohol and exposed trash off the menu for pets.

Stay Prepared
Being prepared is always a good idea for pet owners, but the holiday season especially can be unpredictable with new routines, unfamiliar guests, hazardous foods and more. Stay safe throughout the festivities and enjoy peace of mind knowing VCA is by your side for those unforeseen moments with access to world-class emergency medicine by providing 50% off an ER exam for all pet owners and free ER exams for CareClub members.

Visit pets.vcahospitals.com/er-holiday to claim your 50% off coupon, find a location near you and discover more tips for a safe, pet-friendly holiday season.

Holiday Do’s for Healthy Pets
With endless checklists and to-do’s before big holiday gatherings, you know how important it is to be organized during this hectic time of year. Part of your organizational strategy ahead of the festive season should include your pet’s health and ways you can protect him or her whether you’re celebrating at home or on the go.

Consider this list your holiday cheat sheet with quick, easy ways you can protect pets before, during and after get-togethers.

Decorate with pet-safe ornaments
Keep festive plants out of reach
Put a skirt around your Christmas tree and secure it so it can’t fall over
Invest in electric candles or menorahs
Keep dogs inside during get-togethers
Follow your pet’s regular diet
Create a quiet space for your pet away from guests
Check in with your pet to ensure he or she is happy and comfortable
Thoroughly clean up and pack away any leftovers

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
VCA Animal Hospitals

HEALTHY LIVING

The importance of clean school transportation

Published

2 weeks ago

01/01/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) Across the country, more than 25 million children ride to school each day in school buses, most of which are powered by diesel and produce harmful emissions known to cause respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis.

An alternative energy source, like propane, can provide children with a safe, clean and healthy ride to school. As an environmentally friendly and affordable energy source that is abundantly available, propane can help achieve a cleaner today and greener tomorrow for students.

Watch this video to learn more!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=XT6vzCDdk8M%3Fsi%3DFU6ZLnpGfsIsjjUI

Consider these reasons it’s important to clean up student transportation from the experts at the Propane Education & Research Council:

Propane reduces emissions in exhaust that negatively impact air quality by up to 96% compared to diesel.
Propane school buses provide a quieter ride than diesel buses, which means it’s easier for drivers to hear potential concerns and students arrive at school calmer and ready to learn.
Propane warms up quickly, providing a heated cabin for a comfortable ride during colder months.
Propane is affordable, allowing school districts to replace aging diesel buses three times faster than transitioning to an electric bus fleet.

Learn more about clean transportation options and the benefits of propane school buses at BetterOurBuses.com .

SOURCE:
Propane Education & Research Council

HEALTHY LIVING

Lower your COPD risk at any age

Published

3 weeks ago

12/25/2024

bowienews

(Family Features) Breathing: You may take it for granted, but your lungs are important, and so is protecting them. No matter how old you are, you can take action to prevent certain lung conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

It’s a serious lung disease that makes breathing difficult and gets worse over time. COPD is less common in younger adults, but anyone can have it. People with a genetic condition known as Alpha-1 may have symptoms as early as age 20.

Consider these steps to lower your risk for COPD:

If you smoke, get help quitting. Most people with COPD have a history of smoking. It’s not easy to quit, but your health care provider can share resources to support you.
Try to avoid exposure to lung irritants like air pollution, dusts and chemical fumes. Some occupations put you at higher risk for COPD.

Most people are 40 or older when symptoms start. If you have shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or fatigue, talk to your health care provider. Tell them about your smoking habits, any family history of COPD and exposure to lung irritants and ask if you should be tested for COPD.

If you have COPD, the sooner you learn how to manage it, the sooner you can start to breathe better.Don’t wait. Protect your lungs for life.

To learn more, visit nhlbi.nih.gov/BreatheBetter.