How Constantly Touching Your Hair Is Actually Ruining It

Ever found yourself constantly reaching out to twirl your hair in your fingers? Touching and tugging at any strand you can find? While this mindless habit may be comforting and a way to ease your stress and anxiety, it’s absolutely no good for your hair.

If you happen to be struggling with this, know that you’re not alone. Especially common among women, excess hair touching can be hard to stop. This addictive habit can even lead to trichotillomania, a hair pulling disorder.

Reasons why you may be having a hair touching habit

• It may be a self-soothing tactic for you
• Stress and anxiety
• You may not like the feel or appearance of your hair
• You’re always on the lookout for damaged hair and split ends
• Boredom

How hair touching leads to poor overall hair condition

The more you stroke your hair, the more your hair loses its moisture. Touching your hair effectively strips it of its natural oils, resulting in major dryness and breakage.

Additionally, repeatedly tugging at your hair is a form of mechanical stress which can result in split ends and ultimately, hair thinning.

Touching your hair with dirt and grease-accumulated hands also makes your hair dirty, and it clogs your hair follicles.

Effective ways to stop touching your hair

As mentioned earlier, hair touching can be a hard habit to stop, thankfully, we know a few ways you can navigate this challenge.

1. Get your hair out of your face

Having your natural hair in an up hairdo like a pineapple bun, away from your face could be a great way to prevent you from constantly touching your hair.

If you find yourself reaching out to touch your back hairs, you could choose to hold them in place with some bobby pins.

If none of this works, you could always just wear a protective style like braids which will keep your hair strands and tips away from the touch of your hands. You can also opt for a headscarf to keep your hair protected at all times.

2. Identify your triggers

There’s a number of triggers that may set you off into touching your hair such as nervousness, stress and anxiety. Understanding these triggers is crucial and a good way to snap out of this habit. 

If you’re dealing with anxiety for instance, you can try some calming breathing exercises or speak to someone about it.

3. Keep your hands occupied

Whenever you feel like you’re about to touch your hair, occupy your hands with something like a fidget toy. While this may not work for some people, it’s still worth a try. Try using this for a while and see how it works out for you.

4. Keep yourself busy

You could be pulling at your hair because you’re bored. Find something beneficial to occupy your time. You can opt for reading a book that interests you, trying out a new hobby or even getting involved in physical exercise.

5. Seek help from others

Don’t hesitate to reach out to a family member or friend to tell them about your habit. You can ask them to make you aware when they see you tugging at your hair.

Conclusion

Now that you know that hair touching is damaging to your hair and there’s ways to stop it, we hope this won’t be a challenge for you anymore. You’re a gem and you shouldn’t let this habit get the best of you.

The advice and suggestions on this blog aren’t intended to replace the medical advice of a licensed doctor or dermatologist. Please consult a medical professional if you need to.