Millions of Brits are making simple mistakes with everyday activities that are causing damage to their hair, according to experts.

A poor diet, wearing a hat and even spending too long in the sun can damage your locks.

People are being warned that even touching your hair too much can cause damage as it creates grease which can impact your locks.

It comes after a study, commissioned by hair supplement Vitabiotics Perfectil, found just 14 percent of women are confident they know what is good and bad for their hair.

The research of 2,000 women revealed 46 percent feel their hair is very important to their appearance, with 84 percent more confident when their locks look good.

Celebrity hair stylist Sarrah Hamid, who is working with Vitabiotics Perfectil, appears in a video educating women about the damage they could be causing to their hair.

She said: “To many of us, our hair plays a huge part in our appearance and how confident we feel.

“We often feel good when we know our hair is looking it’s best – think about that moment you step out of the salon with a freshly coloured or cut style.

“But while we might think we are doing everything we can to keep our hair in great condition, there are so many things we all do every day without even realising which could be having an impact.”

A spokesman for Vitabiotics Perfectil said: “A bad hair day can have a real impact on your mood and how you feel.

“We all want our hair to look and feel it’s best, especially now we have greater opportunity to be out and about more and socialising.  

“Taking great care of our hair has never been more important for our inner and outer confidence’

Vitabiotics Perfectil has created a quiz to allow you to find out whether your lifestyle is affecting your hair.

Here is a list of the most common mistakes you are making when it comes to your hair according to Sarrah Hamid:

Towel drying roughly or excessively

Towel drying can roughen up your ends, and cause even more breakage to split ends

Touching/playing with your hair too much

So many of my friends do this and I always tell them off. It creates grease, it’s a dirt transfer, it causes frizz, and can cause hair thinning

Wearing hats

Excessive wear of hats is bad. Hats can be good for your hair, especially in the sun, as they protect it from direct sunlight, but constant use of hats can stop the oils in your hair, leaving your ends dry and damaged. They can also rub and the sweat absorbed underneath the hair is not good, especially if you have extensions.

Tight ponytails or buns

Ponytails or buns might be easy, but when you have one, you’re pulling tension on your hair, causing stress on certain spots - especially with constant wear - which can cause balding. If you love your hair tied back, try swapping elastic hair bands with a silk scrunchie as a kinder alternative.

Not washing hairbrushes

Cleaning your hairbrush is so important and just hygienic. All the breakage hair caught in your brushes can cause more damage to your split ends before you even used the brush.

Sunbathing/ sitting in the sun

Sun isn’t all bad for your hair, but it can dry the hair out. UV light also breaks down the bonds of your hair, creating dull or dry looking hair. I always recommend my clients to use oils or masks in their hair as they sunbathe, but the sun also has a lot of benefits, it can naturally lighten your hair, it helps with hair loss

Home haircuts and colours

Proceed with caution! Home hair dye kits, are not designed especially for your hair, so are unlikely to come out like the colour on the box. Always ensure you patch test before using any home colour. And home haircuts are best avoided. Let your hair grow, you’ll appreciate the professional cut so much more. And don’t touch your fringe!

Having a poor diet, such as drinking more alcohol, having more junk food

Our hair is the first to suffer along with our skin. A poor diet can weaken your hair.  If you’re concerned that you’re lacking certain nutrients from your diet, consider a daily supplement to support your nutritional intake. Look for products containing biotin and zinc which contribute to the maintenance of normal hair. 

Styling with straighteners/ curling tongs

The least amount of heat as possible is always good for the hair, allowing it to grow. Constant heat on your hair causes breakage. If you can’t stay away from heated appliances, protect your hair with a heat spray before using them.

Washing your hair too often

It’s never good to over wash your hair, twice a week is the best for me. Your hair will eventually clean itself, and you can train it, into holding out.

Skipping trims

A regular trim every 6-8 weeks is always good to avoid bad breakage. A regular trim is actually good for growth.