Hair styling has existed for as long as humans have had hair to style. Different cultures have used many techniques for styling hair over the millennia, some of which probably did more harm than good. Even today's state-of-the-art options can cause hair loss or damage under the wrong conditions. Let's look at three common culprits: hair coloring agents, heated hair tools, and hair extensions.

Bleaches and Dyes Boost Your Hair Loss Risk

Coloring agents such as bleaches and dyes can damage your hair. The chemicals in these products have a drying and weakening effect on hair strands, causing them to split and break. Dye can't hurt the part of the hair growing beneath the skin, but it can trigger shedding that leaves your hair looking sparse. The more frequently you apply these products, the worse the damage and the higher the risk of temporary hair loss.

If you must color your hair, you'll find that a moderate approach will lessen the damage. Give your hair time to recuperate from a color application before scheduling that next bleach or dye session.

Heated Tools Can Hurt Your Hair

Modern salons carry many hair styling tools to achieve various effects, from curls and waves to perfectly straight hair. Unfortunately, many of these tools rely on heat to get their results. Excessive heat exposure can damage your hair, making it brittle, weak, and thin. In people with already thin hair, this heat damage can draw more attention to that problem while potentially producing additional hair loss.

You can reduce these risks by letting experienced professionals style your hair instead of doing it yourself. Stylists know how to keep the tools' temperatures between 200 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. At home, avoid using the hottest setting on your blow dryer. The use of heat protectants can also help protect your hair.

Hair Extensions Require Care and Skill

If you've already developed some hair loss, you might decide to augment your remaining locks with hair extensions. These tufts of hair can dramatically increase your hair's apparent volume once glued, bonded, sewn, or heat-fused to natural hair strands. But whether you attach extensions to your hair in individual strands or larger clumps called wefts, they can worsen your hair loss problem if you're not careful. The main concern involves traction alopecia, in which stress on the hair's roots can pull the hair out by the roots, leaving bald patches.

You don't have to forego extensions altogether to keep your precious hair. However, you'll run less risk of trouble if you let a skilled, experienced professional install your permanent or semi-permanent hair extensions. It's also wise to give your roots some welcome strain relief by taking a break from extensions from time to time.

The more you know about proper hair care practices and safe, effective hair restoration options, the better your odds of enjoying a fuller, more stylish head of hair for years to come. Contact New-U today for expert advice and guidance by clicking here.