Hi, To answer some of your questions
You should always use a heat protectant while styling your hair with heat tools. Heat damage can be a huge issue if you are trying to get your hair healthy so make sure you are using the lowest heat setting possible to achieve your style and use good quality styling tools. Don�t go over your hair with the flat iron too many times and don�t hold the iron on your hair for too long. I use the Tresemme heat tamer spray; this one is very popular and very affordable. The best thing for your hair is to use heat styling tools as little as possible.
To reduce damage you shouldn�t brush your hair very often, brush when necessary and to detangle use a wide took comb which will cause less damage. I find that boar bristle brushes are the best, they don�t tear and break your hair like some of the other brushes and they spread the natural oils and they make your hair feel soft.
Use very good quality products suited to your hair type (dry, color treated, chemically treated, curly, oily ect) for shampoos go with a more natural sulphate free shampoo and try not to shampoo your hair every single day. Get a good quality moisturizing and hydrating conditioner and a good deep conditioner or reconstructing hair mask. I have some great ones posted on my blog. You should deep condition depending on your hair needs. If your hair is in very bad shape, very dry and brittle then once per week is sufficient. If your hair isn�t very damaged then once every two weeks or even once per month is sufficient. It all depends on the state of your hair and what it needs.
Oils can be very beneficial for dry damaged hair, there are tons of them on the market and not all of them work with the same efficiency for everyone so you have to find one that you like and is best for your hair. Start with the basics and most popular like argan, coconut or olive oil.
Usually when your hair is wet it is most fragile and can break more easily but tying your hair up in a bun may not be very detrimental since you aren�t over handling it or brushing it and leaving it down when you sleep, but as a rule be more careful with your hair when it is wet and do your final rinse with cool or cold water to help seal in moisture and shine.
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