Water and Mechanical Damage Explained
Contrary to the old wives tale, wet hair might be bad for you not only because it can give you a cold, but also because it temporarily weakens your hair tresses, which could lead to (very avoidable) hair damage.
Generally speaking, hair strands are strong. Think about it: if you wrap a strand of hair around your finger, it can leave a very noticeable mark! The cuticle, cortex, and medulla layers of the hair all work together to make your hair, your hair. The cuticle layer protects the integrity of the hair while the cortex maintains its strength, moisture, and texture. The medulla is the core.
Despite its noticeable strength, there are forces that can damage the integrity of the hair.
Water.
When hair is exposed to large amounts of water (during a wash), the tresses become hypersensitive, and hair fibers quickly absorb moisture. During this process, hydrogen bonds in the hair are temporarily broken, which could lead to being more easily damaged if not cared for with the right tools. Most of the time, we simply lack the proper tools to care for our tresses, especially immediately after a wash.
Naturally, we’ll want to dry, comb, and style our hair right after a wash. But this is where additional damage can occur. Most hair damage is caused by mechanical factors that occur due to improper handling of the hair, such as:
- Towel drying
- Combing
- Brushing
To prevent water damage and mechanical damage, start by:
- Using products with slip,
- Sectioning hair while you wash so less is exposed to water or mechanical forces
- Reducing dry time,
- and incorporating the correct tools and accessories into your routine.
Want to learn more? Keep in touch with us by subscribing to our Email Newsletter and stay up to date with our blog for part 2 of this series where we’ll share hair care tips to keep your hair Well Tressed. And don't forget, to shop microfiber hair towels now.