HEALTHY LIVING
11 Hair Mistakes You’re Making That May Be Ruining Your Luscious Locks
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.
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(Feature Impact) The school year brings new classmates, routines and opportunities for children to learn about people whose experiences may be different from their own. They could include friends who use a wheelchair, carry an inhaler or even receive nutrition through a feeding tube.
Watch this video to learn more
For families who rely on tube feeding, it is an essential part of daily life but is often understood only by those who experience it. That limited awareness can leave children who are tube fed and their families feeling isolated or unseen, according to Gerard Minor, a pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology specialist.
Parents can use everyday questions as opportunities to help children understand there are many ways people receive nourishment. Teachers, classmates, caregivers and communities can also help make tube feeding part of the everyday conversation around childhood rather than something that separates children from it.
“Helping children understand those differences early can encourage curiosity, kindness and inclusion,” Minor said.
To help bring greater awareness, understanding and representation to children and families who experience tube feeding every day, Compleat, a leader in tube feeding formulas, launched “What Is Better Than How,” featuring “Sesame Street’s” Elmo and his signature warmth and curiosity. The original song celebrates the many ways people eat. Some people eat with a fork, some use a spoon and some use a tube, reinforcing a simple message: What matters is not how you eat. What matters is that you are nourished, loved and included.
To hear the song, create a personalized version and learn more about the campaign, visit Compleat.com/WhatIsBetterThanHow.
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(Feature Impact) Dry eye is one of the most overlooked symptoms of perimenopause, the phase of fluctuating hormones leading up to a woman’s final period, and menopause, the point in a woman’s life when she’s gone a year without a period.
In fact, 79% of women1 recognize hot flashes as a symptom of menopause, but only 14% recognize dry eye as a menopause-related symptom, according to the 2026 Bausch + Lomb (Peri)Menopausal Survey. What’s more, 78% of women1 were surprised to learn that dry eye is a symptom of perimenopause or menopause.
“Dry eye is still widely overlooked as a symptom of menopause, and many women think it’s just a minor nuisance, but the truth is it can significantly affect your daily life,” said Neda Gioia, OD, CNS, IFMCP, FOWNS, founder, Integrative Vision. “Early symptoms are often misunderstood or self-treated but it’s very important for women who experience symptoms to see an eye doctor and get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.”
During perimenopause and menopause, declining hormone levels can impact tear production, tear quality and tear evaporation, contributing to dry eye symptoms including redness, fluctuating vision and a gritty or tired feeling in the eyes, all of which can impact day-to-day comfort and quality of life. If left untreated, dry eyes may worsen over time, potentially impacting eye health and vision. Among peri-, menopausal and post-menopausal women who experienced dry eye, 80% said the symptom came as a surprise.
Respondents reported their dry eye symptoms caused difficulty reading (58%), difficulty using screens (53%), difficulty driving (26%) and reduced productivity (17%), underscoring the often-overlooked impact dry eyes can have on everyday life.1
However, there are a variety of products and treatment approaches available to help manage dry eye symptoms. For example, Bausch + Lomb offers a range of options designed to address the main causes of dry eye.
A doctor-recommended, clinically proven once-daily soft gel supplement that targets the key root causes of dry eyes, Blink NutriTears supports healthy tear production and provides lasting, continuous relief.* § As part of a comprehensive approach to dry eye management, the supplement can be used with Blink Triple Care Preservative Free Lubricant Eye Drops, which are designed to directly address tear evaporation, one of the leading causes of dry eye, and provide instant and long-lasting symptom relief.
An eye care professional can help determine the approach that’s right for each individual. To learn more about dry eye and products to help combat it, visit JustBlink.com.
| *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
12026 Bausch & Lomb (Peri)Menopause Survey via Suzy, n=402; Women ages 30–80+ who are perimenopausal, menopausal, or post-menopausal
§Based on a clinical study
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(Sheeka Sanahori) Being an adult comes with a never-ending list of responsibilities: Cook dinner. Scrub the bathroom. File taxes. The tasks grow even longer when sharing a household with a partner, building a family, or taking care of others. No matter how you define “adulting,” getting life insurance tends to be one part of the to-do list that keeps getting set on a procrastination loop.
New survey data backs that up: there are plenty of other tasks adults would rather focus on first.
The Adulting Task Americans Keep Avoiding
According to the 2026 Life Happens Life Insurance Survey, a financial literacy nonprofit organization, 39% of U.S. adults would rather clean out their email inbox than figure out their life insurance needs. Another 31% would rather clean out the garage or basement. One in five U.S. adults would be willing to sit on hold with customer service for three hours before life insurance planning. Even though many adults have it somewhere on their list, nearly half (46%) say they’ll either deal with it later or not at all.
They Know It Matters
Nearly a third of adults have already figured out a life insurance plan, and they feel good about their decision. Others are feeling more conflicted: 14% have a policy, but they’re not sure if they have enough. Another 12% say they either don’t know where to start or they think it’ll be too expensive.
It’s no wonder people are putting it off: Navigating a new-to-them form of financial planning can come with a lot of complicated emotions. Four in 10 feel either overwhelmed, anxious, or some combination of both. Sixteen percent of U.S. adults feel guilty for putting it off, but when the outcome is more procrastination, that feeling lingers.
Why Later Keeps Winning
If you’ve ever faced an important decision without having enough information to make an informed choice, you know how stressful it can be. While the generations have different takes on making major decisions with a gut feeling or “pure vibes,” most of the time, people want to feel like they’re making an informed choice. Forty-five percent of U.S. adults say cost concerns, confusion or procrastination are the main reasons they have delayed or would delay looking into life insurance. For more than one in five, the plan is to seriously look at it when they feel more financially stable. For 12%, they say they’ll do it when they’re older.
Men tend to feel more confident about their life insurance decisions to date; 53% of men vs. 41% of women feel confident their family would be financially protected.
The First Step Feels Bigger Than It Is
Learning more about life insurance, how it’s priced and how it works could help get many consumers out of their procrastination loop. A quarter of people say they’d make a decision if they learned it was easier to get than they previously thought. Thirty percent would make the purchase if they learned it was more affordable than they believed it to be. Others need an experienced professional to talk to or an online calculator tool to give them guidance.
Methodology: Life Happens commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,000 adults, including 700 Gen Z respondents, 700 millennials, and 600 Gen X respondents throughout the United States. The margin of error for the overall sample is +/- 2 percentage points and +/- 4 percentage points for each generational sample, with a confidence level of 95 percent. Fieldwork took place between July 14 and July 20, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (couple using computer)
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