Signs Your Hair Routine Is Causing Damage (A Self-Assessment Guide)

Is your hair routine helping or hurting?

Many people follow routines that seem healthy but actually cause damage—and they don't realize it until damage becomes severe. The styling habits you've had for years might be why your hair isn't thriving.

This self-assessment guide helps you honestly evaluate your routine. Check each section, note your answers, and discover whether changes are needed.

For comprehensive protection strategies, see our complete guide to protecting your hair from damage.

Section 1: Physical Hair Assessment

Start by examining your actual hair, not your habits.

Test 1: The Breakage Check

How to check: After brushing, examine your brush and the floor. Collect loose hair from a typical styling session.

What you're looking for:

Red flags:

• Many short broken pieces (not full-length strands)
• Broken pieces all similar length (indicates specific damage point)
• Increasing amount over time
• Breakage concentrated in one area

Test 2: The Texture Check

How to check: Run fingers through dry, product-free hair. Note how it feels.

Red flags:

• Hair that tangles immediately after brushing
• Rough texture that doesn't improve with conditioning
• Feeling of "straw" or dryness despite moisturizing
• Texture that's worsened over time

Test 3: The Elasticity Check

How to check: Take a single wet strand. Gently stretch it.

Red flags:

• Hair that breaks rather than stretches
• Hair that stretches far without returning (mushy feeling)
• Consistent breakage during the test

Test 4: The Hairline Check

How to check: Look at your hairline in good lighting. Compare to photos from 1-2 years ago.

Red flags:

• Any recession at temples or hairline
• Thinning where you typically style
• Baby hairs that won't grow past a certain length
• Visible difference from previous photos

For more on this, see traction alopecia from hair accessories.

Test 5: The Targeted Area Check

How to check: Examine areas where you typically style—where clips sit, where ties wrap, where you part your hair.

Red flags:

• Any difference between styled areas and non-styled areas
• Thin spots correlating with clip positions
• Breakage line where hair ties sit

Section 2: Styling Habit Assessment

Now evaluate your actual habits honestly.

Question 1: How Do You Feel After Styling?

After putting your hair up, do you feel:

Red flag: Any discomfort from your hairstyle indicates damage occurring.

Question 2: Do You Style in the Same Position Daily?

Red flag: Same position daily concentrates all damage in one area.

Question 3: What Accessories Do You Use Most?

Red flag: Daily use of elastic ties or rubber bands.

See claw clips vs. hair ties for hair health.

Question 4: How Do You Remove Accessories?

Red flag: Any pulling, yanking, or catching during removal.

See how to use a claw clip without damaging your hair.

Question 5: How Long Do You Wear Styles Daily?

Red flag: Extended wear with tight styles, or sleeping with accessories.

Question 6: How Old Are Your Clips?

Red flag: Using clips without regular inspection.

See safe vs. damaging hair clips: how to tell.

Section 3: Other Damage Sources

Hair health is cumulative. Assess other potential damage sources.

Heat Styling

Chemical Treatments

Washing Habits

Environmental Exposure

Section 4: Scoring Your Assessment

Review your answers and tally your red flags.

Physical Assessment Score

Count red flags from Section 1:

• 0 red flags: Hair appears healthy
• 1-2 red flags: Early damage—address now
• 3-4 red flags: Moderate damage—changes needed
• 5+ red flags: Significant damage—overhaul routine

Habit Assessment Score

Count red flags from Section 2:

• 0 red flags: Habits appear protective
• 1-2 red flags: Room for improvement
• 3-4 red flags: Habits likely causing damage
• 5+ red flags: Habits definitely causing damage

Overall Assessment

Section 5: Action Plans Based on Results

If Your Routine Is Working

Continue:

• Maintaining gentle habits
• Using quality accessories
• Rotating positions
• Regular clip inspection

Prevent regression:

• Don't reintroduce damaging habits
• Stay vigilant as accessories age
• Keep monitoring for changes

If You Need Improvement

Immediate changes:

1. Switch to gentler accessories (claw clips, silk scrunchies)
2. Start rotating positions
3. Loosen all styling
4. Remove clips gently

Week 1-4:

• Adapt to new habits
• Notice comfort improvements
• Track any changes in breakage

Month 2-3:

• Assess improvement
• Continue refining technique
• Replace old accessories

If Damage Is Moderate

Immediate changes:

1. Stop all tight styling immediately
2. Replace all questionable accessories
3. Begin gentle-only styling
4. Start recovery treatments

Recovery protocol:

• Protein treatment (if elasticity is low)
• Deep conditioning weekly
• Minimize all other damage sources
• See how to recover from hair accessory damage

Timeline: Expect 2-3 months to see significant improvement.

If Damage Is Significant

Immediate changes:

1. Stop all potentially damaging practices
2. Consider seeing a dermatologist or trichologist
3. Evaluate whether trimming damaged sections helps
4. Begin intensive recovery

Professional help if:

• Visible hair loss (not just breakage)
• No improvement after 3 months
• Suspected traction alopecia
• Other symptoms present

Timeline: Significant damage may take 6-12 months for full recovery.

Section 6: Reassessment Schedule

Schedule regular reassessments to track progress:

FAQ

My hair seems healthy but I have bad habits—should I still change?

Yes. Damage is cumulative. Today's habits become tomorrow's damage. Change before damage appears—it's much easier than repairing after.

I have good habits but my hair is damaged—why?

Possible explanations:

• Past habits (damage is still growing out)
• Other damage sources (heat, chemicals, environment)
• Underlying health issues
• Genetics

If habits are truly good and damage continues, consider professional evaluation.

How long until I know if changes are working?

• Less breakage: 2-4 weeks
• Improved texture: 4-8 weeks
• Visible health improvement: 2-3 months
• Full recovery: Varies by severity

What if my partner/family causes some of my damage?

Communicate about your hair care goals. If they style your hair or choose accessories for you, share what you've learned. If shared pillows are the issue, get your own silk pillowcase.

Should I see a professional?

Consider professional help if:

• Actual hair loss (not just breakage)
• No improvement after 3 months of changes
• Symptoms beyond just hair (scalp issues, other health changes)
• You're unsure what's causing the damage

Related Articles

• The Complete Guide to Protecting Your Hair from Damage
• How to Use a Claw Clip Without Damaging Your Hair
• Traction Alopecia from Hair Accessories
• How to Recover from Hair Accessory Damage
• Best Claw Clips for Damaged Hair
• Why Your Hair Clip Might Be Breaking Your Hair
• How to Reduce Tension & Pressure When Wearing Clips
• Best No-Damage Claw Clips for Everyday Wear
• Best Breakage-Preventing Claw Clips
• Best Silk & Satin Hair Accessories for Hair Health
• How to Protect Your Hair While You Sleep
• Safe vs. Damaging Hair Clips: How to Tell
• Best Gentle Claw Clips for Thinning Hair
• Acetate vs. Plastic Claw Clips
• Claw Clips vs. Hair Ties for Hair Health