As a young adult, I always struggled with my hair. No matter how much I invested in products or treatments, I was met with a new issue each season. From frizz to split ends, it often felt like I was fighting a never-ending battle. I often felt like my hair had a mind of its own. On some days, it would cascade down my shoulders like a silky waterfall, while on others, it resembled a frizzy, tangled mess. However, after much research and guidance from experts, I learned that understanding my hair type and addressing specific issues could lead to healthier locks. Our hair tells a story, and like any narrative, it can encounter challenges along the way. With countless individuals facing various hair problems in addition to the environmental dangers like pollution, there is a need for effective solutions and home remedies and ways to keep their hair intact and healthy.Common Hair Problems and SolutionsHair problems can vary greatly depending on individual hair types and conditions. To address these concerns, Jamien Lim, Senior Hair Research Scientist at Dyson, has shared a list of the most common hair problems and shared solutions to combat them. Although we grow an average of 11 kilometers of hair on our heads every year, it cannot heal itself once damaged. Therefore, it's crucial to understand how to care for our specific hair type. For example, those with coarse, long hair may have different problems than those with short, fine hair. Factors such as age, gender, hormonal changes, genetics, and cultural heritage also influence our hair type. However, simple lifestyle changes, using the right technology, and following scientific advice can help reduce damage and maintain healthy hair.1. Heat DamageWhen styling hair, many people commonly reach for heat-based styling tools. However, extreme heat changes the shape of keratin within the strands. When using heat over 150°C (302°F), hair can become weaker and less elastic. At temperatures exceeding 230°C (446°F), hair begins to burn or melt. The strong disulfide bonds deteriorate, causing hair to break easily.Research indicates that two key factors for styling are temperature and control. The more one is increased, the less you need of the other. To prevent damage, greater emphasis should be placed on control over heat.2. Cuticle DamageHair cuticles do not absorb water evenly, causing distortion when wet. This swelling can make the hair's surface rough and increase strand friction. Water on the hair's surface also leads to strands sticking together, resulting in tangling and potential cuticle damage when brushed or styled harshly. To avoid knots, brush from the bottom of the strands and gradually work your way up.Excessive heat can also lead to cuticle damage, further emphasizing the need for gentle styling practices.3. Split EndsSplit ends are one of the most recognized hair problems. They occur when the cuticle layer is stripped away by continuous damage. Without this protective layer, the cortex can split. Severe damage to the cortex makes hair strands brittle, leading to cracks if the strand is bent or subjected to impact. Frequent brushing can exacerbate these cracks, extending down the length of the hair until a split occurs.4. FrizzFrizz is another prevalent hair issue, manifesting in four main ways:- Visible and uneven gaps in the hair's body.- Fibres aren't evenly aligned along the hair strand. This is particularly common in curly hair, where fibres fail to align and form controlled curls.- Fibres are misaligned at the edges of the hairstyle structure.- Changes in weather conditions or physical interactions can disrupt the style, leading to frizz.Damage to hair strands can hasten the rate at which hairstyles drop out, thereby increasing frizz. Using a different attachment with your hair dryer after styling which could helps tame hair into a smooth, sleek form, eliminating the need for salon visits.5. SmokingDespite being a preventable cause of health problems, smoking tobacco significantly damages the body, including the hair. Regular smoking can disrupt hair's follicular growth cycles and fibre pigmentation, often resulting in diminished natural hair growth. Smoking damages DNA, which can lead to premature greying or lightening of hair at the roots.