Overstyled, Overprocessed Hair

Coloring and Washing

The battle for beautiful hair is not without its victims. It's ironic that the very things we do to add color, shine, and texture to hair can ultimately damage and destroy it. Here, we review the most common hair travesties -- and how-tos for damage control:

The problem: While changing your color often might be fun, the process of applying, taking out, and redepositing pigment to the hair is, in simple terms...damaging.

The solution: Always opt for a professional salon colorist when possible, especially if you're going from dark to blonde. One of the biggest problems with at-home coloring is overlapping -- recoloring all of the hair as opposed to just covering the regrowth -- which makes hair look dense and dull when it's dark, worn out and broken when it's blonde. If you are going to color at home, remember semipermanent colors are always less harmful than permanents. Look for formulas with low or no ammonia.

The best products: KMS Color Vitality Intensive Treatment Leave In, $9.99 Garnier Fructis Fortifying Deep Conditioner 3 Minute Masque, $3.39

The problem: A major misconception is that hair must be shampooed daily. Overwashing hair dries it out, which can cause breakage.

The solution: Clean does not always mean good condition. A shampoo every other day is more than enough. Instead of washing hair daily, simply rinse hair and condition. On the days when you do use shampoo, it is important that you choose one specifically for your hair type, as all shampoos are not created equal. Your scalp's natural oils are best for your hair, so after detangling hair -- best done with a Boar-bristled brush like Mason Pearson -- brush from roots to ends to distribute the natural oil throughout.

The products: Mason Pearson Handy Natural Boar Bristle Hair Brush, $125 Kérastase Nutritive Hydra Toning Shampoo, $17 Aveda Curessence Damage Relief Shampoo, $17