Most of us probably fantasise about having long, thick hair, but getting hair that is both beautiful and healthy isn't as simple as we'd like to believe.

We're continually exposed to factors like stress and pollution – which damage our hair. The two things mentioned are difficult to counteract, but there are more elements that have a subtle but still damaging effect on our hair. Fortunately, we can eliminate them with relative ease.

You may need to co-wash your hair depending on its texture

The term "co-washing" refers to the practice of using a hair conditioner as a shampoo. It seems counter-intuitive, but there are conditioners designed specifically for this purpose, and they won't harm your hair or make it feel weighed down.

However, this method is not applicable for all kinds of hair textures. It works best on thick, coarse, thin, or curly hair.

You never change the way you separate your hair

It's more convenient to separate our hair the same way we always have, yet doing so might actually induce thinning and eventual baldness. Constantly putting pressure on hair in the same direction might lead to damage. Altering your style on a regular basis not only makes you seem fresh but also conceals those pesky new hairs.

You tend to repeat your go-to ponytail style

If you wear your hair in a ponytail or braid every day, you may have breakage and hair loss around the hairline. You may also get neck pain and headaches. That's why it's good to mix things up every once in a while.

You just use a regular old towel

As their primary function implies, terry cloth towels are great at soaking up water, but they may be too effective at their job if you care about your hair. They can be producing frizz by soaking up too much moisture and causing friction.

Swap out your regular towels with microfiber ones, or use a head wrap.

You don't protect your tresses from the sun

It's common knowledge at this point that sun exposure can cause skin damage, therefore we should constantly protect ourselves with a high SPF sunscreen. Hair, too, should be shielded from the sun's harsh rays to prevent damage. Leave-in conditioner should be used every other day if you spend time in the sun. Trying on a sunscreen-infused heat protector is also a good idea.

Your hair is impacted by static

Electric currents in your hair might be an issue if your skin is dry. Keep your hair well-hydrated, and if that doesn't help, try switching to a metal brush. You can go for a static guard, which may be found in laundry aids or even purchased separately.