The festive season gives everyone a chance to doll up and dress up in ethnic wear. But clothes aren’t the only thing you’ve got to style. From your beauty regime, which includes to skin care and make-up to hair styling and hair care, you’ve got to take care of it all. If you choose to put your crowning glory through heat styling, chemical treatments and sweat-inducing dance sessions, you better take care of your hair before it feels damaged! As Navratri and Durga Puja celebrations are on in full swing, here are a few hair care mistakes to avoid in festive season.

Health Shots reached out to celebrity dermatologist Dr Jaishree Sharad to know some of the common hair care mistakes women tend to make during this time of the year.

Be it hair rollers, hair straightening, crimping, perming, hair sprays, hair colour or any other hair treatments – women use various ways to style their mane. But while you wonder how to style your hair during the festive and wedding season, you should also worry about how to avoid hair damage.

Note these important hair care tips and save your tresses from being exposed to the side effects of heat styling and more.

7 hair care mistakes to avoid in festive season

1. Temporary hair straightening

Whatever the occasion be, avoid using temporary heat straightening methods to iron out your hair. According to Dr Sharad, “Temporary heat straightening using flat iron and hair dryers causes breakage of hydrogen bonds. It involves opening of helical structure of hair shaft and relaxing it. These heat tools causes dehydration of hair.” Clearly, this is harmful and this hair care mistake should definitely be avoided.

2. Missing heat protectant

Using a heat styling product without applying a heat protectant? It’s a no-no for your hair. Dr Sharad explains, “Missing out heat protectant cream, spray or serum is the most common hair care mistakes people do before doing heat styling procedures like temporary straightening or curling.” If you’re wondering what a heat protection product really does, the experts shares that it forms a barrier protection against heat, reducing the degree of damage to hair.

3. High heat setting

Before you switch on that hair dryer or straightener, check the heat setting. Using heat styling equipment on maximum heat setting is a common hair care mistake we commit because of last-minute rush. But it may have long-term ramifications for your hair health. “High temperature may denature hair shaft protein. You should use low or medium heat setting to reduce hair damage,” says Dr Sharad.

Also read: Love blow drying your hair? Follow these tips to reduce damage

4. Frequent blow drying

Yes, we know there may be several events to attend, but you should avoid frequent blow drying of hair. Blow drying your hair causes dehydration of hair as well as hair breakage, Dr Sharad cautions.

5. Using excess pressure on hair during heat styling

If and when you use a heat styling product, you’ve got to be careful. The expert warns against application of excessive tension as it can cause breakage of hair. You should also avoid repeatedly heat straightening the same hair strands and keeping the heat equipment on the same place for prolonged period of time.

Also read: 9 hacks to straighten hair naturally at home

6. Skipping deep conditioning and nourishing treatment

This is one of the biggest hair care mistakes you should avoid. “Blow drying and flat iron used for straightening causes dehydration of hair,” she says.

7. Tying hair back tightly

A ponytail or a bun may seem fit for your look, but it can also cause your hairline to recede over time, says Dr Sharad. “You should tie hair loosely and try different hair hairstyles which will not pull your hair back,” she adds.