Washing your hair too often
Washing your hair too often is more damaging than you realize. By constantly using shampoo to clean your scalp, you’re stripping away lots of the hair’s natural oils and that can lead to brittle and more dry hair. Avoid washing your hair everyday and try every other day.
Rinsing with super hot water
A lot of us love a hot shower, but it’s not good for your hair. Really hot water is very drying, which seems impossible because how is water dry? But the hot temperature dries out the hair strands and it can leave you with brittle or frizzier hair.
Conditioning from the roots
Conditioner is used to bring back moisture to the hair, and it should be focused on the mid lengths and ends. If you start by rubbing conditioner into your roots you can end up with greasy hair right after washing. Rub conditioner into the ends thoroughly and use whatever is left lightly near the roots.
Brushing soaking wet hair
Wet hair is heavier but also more delicate. Forcing a hairbrush through it could stretch the hair strands out and cause more breakage. It’s best to brush hair thoroughly before you shower to allow the hair to be less knotted when washing. If your hair is knotty after washing, use a gentle comb to tease the knots out.
Rubbing your hair with a bath towel
Don’t rub and stretch your delicate wet hair. Rubbing the hair with a towel can cause breakages and also makes your hair way frizzier when drying. Use a microfiber hair wrap to help dry your hair and designate one to be a hair towel only.
Putting wet hair in a ponytail
Always allow your hair to be dry before tying it up. A tight pony tail when your hair is the most fragile can cause snapping and damage to your hair shafts. If you need to run out the house without drying your hair, put it in a loose low braid instead.
Using too much dry shampoo
A quick spruce up between washes is fine, but if you rely on this product everyday you need to step back from the can. Dry shampoos are powder based and all that powder essentially sits on your scalp to help absorb oil. Too much build up can cause scalp irritation and keep your hair dry and dull.
Too much bleach
Bleach is probably the worst thing to do to your hair. Even done professionally at the salon, your hair can’t stand multiple sessions of extreme bleach as the bonds of your hair begin to break. Over bleaching can make your hair rubbery and it will just fall out or snap by brushing.
Not using heat protectant
Not using heat protectant when styling your hair leaves your hair open to more damage from styling tools. Heat protectant will help take some of the risk away and allows you to style your hair without it becoming crispy or dry right after. Make sure your protectant is fully absorbed before using your tools.
Cutting your own hair too often
A trim of a couple split ends you’ve noticed is okay, but cutting your own hair without proper tools will leave you looking silly. People don’t usually own hair scissors at home, they resort to kitchen scissors which aren’t sharp enough for a neat looking cut. Try to get the right tools if you must do it at home.
Wearing tight hairstyles everyday
That slick bun may look cute but it’s not good for your hairline. Scraping your hair back everyday on top of your head can cause early hairline receding. The tension on the hair strands can make them more susceptible to snapping. If this is your style, try to find one that you like just as much but that has less pull on your hair.
Ignoring your scalp
Scalp health is important for hair health. Massages and cleaning can ensure proper blood flow to the hair follicles and maintain healthy hair growth and texture. Gently scrub your scalp in the shower (just fingertips no nails), or invest in a scalp brush. Use oils on the scalp if you suffer with dry skin.
Lightening your hair at home
Bleaching your hair is one thing, doing it at home without expertise is another. Lightening your hair at home will usually end up with you having patchy yellow hair, hot roots or lots of fall out. If you don’t know how to mix peroxide products you can even end up with scalp burns, so if you must do it, make sure you follow trusted tutorials.
Too much sun exposure
UV rays can not only cause damage to your hair but also your scalp. Direct sun can dry out your hair and can lighten hair by removing the pigment from the strands. Make sure to wear a sun hat if you’re outside for long periods of time, or risk facing a peeling scalp.
Not using enough conditioner
Skimping on the conditioner won’t help your hair out. Conditioners can be expensive, and if you have long hair you may need a lot of it. Be sure to lather up the lengths of your hair well in order to get the best out of your conditioner and hydrate your hair for a sleeker look when dried.
Not getting enough iron
Iron is important for hair health as low iron is one of the leading causes of hair loss, especially for women. The hair follicle is fed by a nutrient rich blood supply, so if you don’t eat iron rich foods your blood won’t be able to support healthy hair and growth.
Jumping in the pool with dry hair
Chlorine hates hair, especially blonde. Hair will absorb chlorine and it can damage your strands by making them super brittle and dehydrated, and even make them a green color if you have blonde hair. Wet your hair with a tap or under the shower before entering the pool to avoid absorption.
Not getting regular trims
Growing your hair doesn’t mean never ever cutting it. Trimming your ends at the salon will help your hair stay healthy by avoiding split ends. Split ends, if left too long, can travel further up your head and cause more damage near the root, and that’s harder to rectify.
Not managing stress
Stress affects all parts of the body, and hair is included. Stress will often impact diet and sleep, as well lifestyle choices, which can all change how your hair looks. The main issue it causes is fallout, but stress hormones can also prevent hair growth cycles which can slow down the regrowth process.
Using the wrong products for your hair type
That shampoo your friend uses might not work as well on your hair. Hair textures play an important role in choosing hair products and shampoos, because different hair types will require different focuses. If you have coarse hair, a more hydrating shampoo will benefit you over a light non-greasy one.
You smoke
Smoking is bad for your health as we all know, but that also extends to your hair. Smoking is a major cause for dull, brittle and frizzy hair, but can also speed up the graying process. The smoke from your cigarette coats your hair and leaves your strands with harmful chemicals stuck to them.
Brushing out knots from the roots
It can be frustrating brushing out super knotty hair, but don’t rush straight to the top. Pulling on your hair with the brush can cause damages and breakages with the constant tension on the strands. Start from the ends and work your way up towards the roots, ensuring the brush passes through smoothly.
Using a shampoo with sulphates
Sulphates are added to certain shampoos to help with the break down of oils when washing your hair. However, these can cause your hair to become really dry. If you have especially dry hair, it’s best to read the ingredients on your shampoo bottles and avoid buying any with sulphates in. For dry hair, try opting for a custom-made shampoo if none on the market work for you.
Never cleaning your hair brush
Leaving your brush for ages without cleaning will just add even more dirt and dead skin cells back into your hair. Remove any hair that’s left behind in the brush and once a month wash your brush in a cleaning solution to remove dead skin and bacteria.
Not using a silk pillowcase
Cotton pillowcases can cause friction and pulling on your hair as you sleep, especially if you toss and turn. Silk or satin pillowcases allow more movement between your hair and the fabric, and won’t cause as much pulling or tension on the hair. Make the swap and you’ll notice less hair falling out when brushing in the morning.
Using too many products at once
Trying out as many products as possible at once will just lead to build up. Products need to be able to absorb properly into the hair to be efficient, and they can’t do that if there’s already two to three products in your hair. Stick to two products after washing, and make sure they work for your hair type.
Chemical treatments
Perms and relaxers are so bad for your hair. Chemical treatments are exactly that, chemicals, and they will change the texture of your hair once the desired look of the treatment grows out. Perms can damage the bonds of your hair and leave it dry and frizzy.
Too much heat
Blow drying your hair everyday will lead to dehydration and potential damage, like hair snapping. Your hair needs moisture to help stay shiny and smooth, but blow drying consistently removes that moisture. Try air drying your hair on the days you’re at home or just running errands, and save the styling for those important days.
Not using color protecting products
If you have colored hair you need to do your best to maintain it between salon trips and not just use cheap shampoo. Blondes usually will need to tone their hair at home, or use colored shampoos. If you want to maintain an icy blonde, use purple shampoo to balance out the yellow, brassy tones that appear.
Using a rough hair elastic
Tight or cheap hair elastics can damage your hair. They can cause a lot of friction between the tie and your hair, which may end up with you pulling out strands of hair every time you let your hair down. Try silk scrunchies or spiral style elastics that don’t tug.
Setting the heat too high
Don’t set your curler to the highest setting. Super hot tools are way more damaging than medium heat, even if you used heat protectant. You can essentially fry your hair when the tools are that hot, especially if your hair is oily or you have other products already in.
Sleeping with wet hair
Laying down on wet hair can cause breakages as your hair is in its fragile state. The pressure of your head against the pillow may cause snapping or stretching of your strands, and it can also create scalp irritation. You may also end up with slightly damp hair in the morning too due to lack of air circulation around the head.
Excessive hairspray
Using half a can of hairspray everyday can affect your hair follicles. Over time, excessive use can make your hair follicles become weak and more brittle, which can lead to hair loss as well as slow hair growth. Be sure to have a lighter hand then next time you style your hair, or only use hair spray on particular occasions.
Wearing tight hats or headbands
If you’re one of those people who wear hats everyday you may want to reduce your wear. Tight hats can put tension on the hair follicles, and over time this could lead to the hair falling out or in a more serious case, a condition called traction Alopecia. From time to time, try a different headwear option like a hairband or clip.
Not sleeping enough
Multiple rough nights can lead to your hair being affected. Lack of sleep can make us choose poor lifestyle choices, like poor diet or hygiene practices, and these can then impact your hair. Your body also needs sleep to recover and function properly, so if you’re overly tired it will direct its limited energy elsewhere than hair regeneration.
Not getting enough Omega-3
Omega 3 fatty acids are found in oily fish and leafy greens and are super good for your health. It’s important to include in our diets, because our bodies don’t naturally make these compounds. Omega 3s are found in the cells that line our scalps, and they are needed for healthy skin and oil production.
Changing the color too often
Constantly changing up your look can be fun for you, but not fun for your hair. You might think just because you’re not actively bleaching your hair it’s not a big deal, but color pigments can still have a damaging effect on your hair, especially if it’s a box dye done at home. Try instead to make the colour that you already have last longer, to save you from over-dyeing.
Alcohol in your shampoo
A lot of cheaper shampoos have alcohol in them, usually to do with the scent process. But alcohol is a very drying ingredient for your hair, and can dehydrate your strands even when shampooing and conditioning. Always check the ingredients list before buying new products, and make sure they don’t contain alcohol if this doesn’t sound good to you.
Never using hair masks
You might think hair masks are too much effort in your shower routine, but they can bring your hair some much needed TLC. They have a deep conditioning effect and can improve hydration levels faster than traditional conditioners. They can also be put on to soak whilst you’re doing stuff around the house, which helps with your hair’s nourishment.
Not eating enough protein
Your hair is made out of protein, so it’s crucial you eat enough to help maintain it. A lower protein diet can often see people with thinner hair as they aren’t fueling their bodies enough to make repairs outside of necessary functions. Aim to eat 25-30 grams of protein per meal for accerated growth.