Advances in technology make for hot tools that are less damaging than ever before but you're still exposing hair to extreme heat, which is never a good thing. That's why it's still best to let your hair air dry as often as possible. "Excess heat, including blow dryers, dries out the cuticles, making it rigid and brittle," says Schulte. When you do use heat tools, always apply a heat protector, like Rene Furterer Lissea Thermal Protecting Smoothing Spray, to limit any heat damage and try not to go over each section more than once.
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They use hair masks weekly
Think of a hair mask as a conditioner that possesses 10 times the conditioning quality. These hydrating masks put in serious work and contain concentrated ingredients that are incredibly beneficial for your strands, such as coconut, almond and argan oils that reconstruct and strengthen stressed out and damaged hair. Nate Bova, of Warren Tricomi Salon in New York City, recommends Hello Hair's Hydrating Mask for color-treated and bleached hair, chemically treated hair and hair that is regularly exposed to heat from the sun, blow-drying or straightening. "The fresh scents of lime, grapefruit, vanilla and coconut will have you island dreaming in an instant," he adds.
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They're very gentle with their hair
No matter how young you are or how thick your hair is, experts say it's important to be gentle with strands of all sorts. First: Avoid rubbing your hair roughly when you towel dry your hair, as Schulte says this roughs up the cuticles and can lead to hair breakage. Also, you'll want to avoid pulling your hair back into tight ponytails, as this constant tugging can actually destroy hair follicles, lead to thinning hair or even traction alopecia. "If you do opt for ponytails, consider using a scrunchie," adds Schulte. "The soft fabric doesn't snag or tug your hair and it comes off the hair without pulling any hair out. Plus, they're totally in style!"
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They use hair products formulated for their hair type
There's a reason hair care brands, from drugstore labels to high-end varieties, crank out different lines that are specific to each hair type. "f you're someone with thin hair that falls flat, using something too heavy may weigh your hair down, making it look limp," says Schulte. "On the other hand, if you're someone with dry, brittle hair, using something not hydrating enough may make your hair frizzy." She suggests consulting with your stylist on your hair needs, from shampoo to conditioning treatment and post-wash styling, so you're using the right kind of products.
