The strengthening shampoo and conditioner you use aren’t going to help much if you gather your wet locks in a turban on top of your head post-shower. “When wet, hair shafts are like loosened springs that stretch and break more easily,” says New York-based dermatologist Jessica Krant, M.D. So rubbing your tresses with a towel, pulling them into a too-tight wrap, or brushing or combing them too vigorously can all break the hair shafts and lead to damaged, frizzy strands, Dr. Krant says.
Break it: Treat your locks with love by moving down your mane in sections, gently squeezing and blotting out excess water with a towel, says Arleen Lamba, M.D., cosmetic anesthesiologist and medical director of Blush Med Institute in Bethesda, MD. If only a wrap will do, use a white cotton t-shirt instead of a towel, as the fabric is gentler on hair. For tangles, first apply a de-tangling or conditioning spray, and use a wide-tooth comb, which won’t rough up the cuticle as much as a brush does.
