5. Torturing Your Tresses with Heat
Why it’s a no-no: Wielding a hair dryer, curling iron, or flatiron daily (or a combo of any of the above) will dry out your locks, leaving them dull, frizzy, and weak, says Joico artist Anthony Morrison, owner of the Londoner Salon in Los Angeles. Rehab: While blow-drying, stick to a medium heat and speed setting and keep the nozzle a few inches away from your hair, says Morrison. When using a flatiron, quickly slide the iron down a section of hair in one smooth motion. Any pauses along the way will create dents that will require another run-through with the iron to fix. If you’re curling your locks, release the coiled section after no more than five seconds to prevent singes. It’s also a good idea to keep your heat-styling sessions to a minimum, only blasting your locks with a dryer a couple of times a week instead of daily. When you suds up, use a moisturizing shampoo to keep strands supple.
6. Overbleaching Your Teeth
Why it’s a no-no: Your pearly whites can only get so bright, no matter how many times you bleach them, so any treatments you do after reaching your maximum level of whiteness (they shouldn’t be bluish or whiter than the whites of your eyes) are more hurtful than helpful, says Cyrus Tahmasebi, a dentist with BriteSmile. “Constantly applying hydrogen peroxide to your teeth can leave them ultrasensitive and prone to chipping.”
Rehab: If you’re going to a pro, you can expect your teeth to whiten up about eight to nine shades (think the subtle difference between colors of paint). On the other hand, if you’re using an at-home kit, you’ll probably see about a four-shade improvement. Be sure to follow the instructions on the box carefully, says Dr. Tahmasebi. Be sure to consult a dentist with any questions.
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