Do you wish your hair was more beautiful and healthy? Then it’s safe to say that you’re not caring for your hair properly. In order to have healthy, attractive hair, you need to use the right hair care products and styling tools. You also need to keep your locks well hydrated and eat foods that are good for your hair.
We’ve put together some of the most common bad hair habits below. Read them over and then stop doing any of the things you’re guilty of. Once you get on the right track, you can have the gorgeous and healthy head of hair you’ve been dreaming of.
1. Scrubbing Your Hair Too Hard When Shampooing
When you lather up your hair in the shower with shampoo, do you aggressively scrub your hair? While that method may seem logical and the best way to clean your hair, it’s not the right way to shampoo.
Hair is especially vulnerable when it’s wet. It stretches easily and is very prone to breakage. That’s why it’s important to gently massage shampoo into your strands. Stay focused on the roots before rinsing and moving on to your conditioner.
2. Using Water That’s Too Hot When Shampooing
If you’re in the habit of using extra-hot water in the shower when you’re washing your hair, it’s time to stop. If there’s one thing that instantly strips the natural oils from your scalp and hair, it’s hot water.
In order for your hair to be healthy and shiny, it needs hydration. That hot water zaps hydration out of your strands and does it fast. Get in the habit of using warm water only. Don’t be tempted to turn the heat up, regardless of how good it feels.
3. Skipping Conditioner
It’s a common mistake to skip using hair conditioner after shampooing. If you’re doing this, you’re not doing your hair any favors. It doesn’t matter if you have thin, frizzy, thick, or curly hair. It needs conditioning after shampooing.
Hair conditioner helps keep your strands healthy and shiny. It also provides body to limp hair. Choose a conditioner for your hair type and use it every time you shampoo. You’ll notice a difference in how your hair looks and feels right away.
4. Brushing Your Hair When Wet With the Wrong Hair Brush
Even if you’ve heard otherwise, it’s perfectly OK to brush your hair when it’s wet, if you use the right hairbrush. Don’t reach for a stiff, round brush when you step out of the shower. Remember that your hair is fragile when wet. So you need to treat it with TLC.
Get yourself a hair brush that’s designed for wet hair. The best kind has soft, flexible, widely-spaced bristles. If you’re not a hairbrush kind of gal, then pick up a wide tooth comb to detangle your hair gently after showering. And don’t forget to pre-spray your locks with a detangler to make things a whole lot easier.
5. Overdoing It With Heated Styling Tools
All those heated styling tools you love like your blow dryer, flat iron, and curling wand are wonderful for helping you look great. However, all that excessive heat is a sure-fire way to damage your hair.
Instead of reaching for a heated styling tool every single day, give your mane a break and only heat-style every so often. If you need some hair styling tips that don’t involve using heat, talk to your hairdresser. Alternatively, you find some wonderful heatless hairstyles online so have a look around to see what you can discover.
6. Using Rubber Bands to Tie Up Your Hair
Rubber bands are not hair-friendly, period. If you’re in the habit of grabbing the nearest rubber band and using it to pull back or tie up your hair, stop it! Your hair is surely getting twisted and broken every time to do this. Buy yourself a package of snag-free hair ties that can give you the style you want without damage.
7. Spending Time in the Sun Without Protecting Your Hair
Like your skin, your hair can be damaged by the sun’s harmful UV rays. Sun-damaged hair can change color and thin out. It can also become dry, flat, and brittle. There are lots of different hair products with sunscreen.
Look for a good quality sunscreen protective spray for hair. The best kind offers an SPF factor of 30 or more. Look for a formula that’s waterproof, lightweight, and non-greasy. Just spray a light layer on your hair before heading to the beach. It’s one of the best things you can do for your hair if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
8. Ignoring Your Scalp
When you keep your scalp healthy, your hair will be healthier and shinier. Don’t neglect your scalp by completely ignoring it when in the shower. Take some time to gently massage your scalp when shampooing. It’s a good idea to use an exfoliating scalp scrub once a week or so. This type of product works by removing buildup all those hair products leave behind.
9. Using Cheap, Harsh Shampoos & Conditioners
While it may be thrifty to buy those dollar store shampoos and conditioners, they’re not good for your hair. Cheap hair care products almost always contain harsh chemicals and other additives that damage hair.
If you regularly use harsh shampoos and conditioners, your hair will inevitably become dehydrated, frizzy, and dull. It will also be very prone to breakage and split ends. It’s a better idea to use good quality shampoos and conditioners that don’t contain harmful chemicals or additives. Even though you’ll have to spend more money, it’s the wisest and safest thing to do.
10. Blow-Drying Your Hair When it’s Super Wet
As mentioned above, your hair doesn’t like too much heat. If you’re blow-drying your soaking wet hair when you step out of the shower, it’s bad news. Before you pick up that blow dryer and plug it in, blot your hair dry using an absorbent towel. Then when your hair is more damp then wet, blow dry it without holding the dryer too close to your hair.
11. Wearing Tight Hairstyles
This bad habit is one to break right away, especially if you have thin hair. Stop with those tight buns, ponytails, and top knots. Any tight hairstyle isn’t good for your locks. A tight hairstyle stretches your hair and puts too much tension on the strands.
It’s time to loosen things up and find new hairstyles that won’t stress your mane. Try wearing your hair down whenever possible. Look for some loose hairstyles you love. It’s liberating to give up those tight styles. Have some fun and let it all hang out!
12. Coloring Your Hair Too Often
While it’s fun to change your hair color every now and then, you shouldn’t do it so often. Overdoing it with hair dye will make your hair straw-like in appearance. Your hair will look and feel dry and brittle. Going overboard with dye can also cause frizziness, split-ends, flyaways, and breakage. Need we say more?
It’s fine to use hair dye every few months. Just don’t be tempted to dye your hair as soon as you notice your roots are showing. Take it cool with that dye. If necessary, do a few touch-ups to cover those roots. Buy a good root cover-up spray and use it sparingly. Just remember that hair dye is full of chemicals that don’t play nice with hair.
13. Changing Hair Stylists Too Often
If there’s one person who knows your hair best, it’s your stylist. He or she knows what product regime works best for your hair. Your stylist also has seen your hair at both its worst and best. This is why you shouldn’t change stylists as often as you change your underwear.
If you don’t have a favorite stylist, ask around. Surely your friends or co-workers can offer a few suggestions. Once you find a stylist you like, stick with him or her. Your hair will benefit big time, for sure!
Helpful Hints
It’s always best to treat your hair with kindness. Get in the habit of only using products that are made for your hair type. For example, if you have thin hair, you should only use shampoo and conditioner that’s formulated for thin hair.
By all means, don’t use cheap brushes and combs on your hair. Take your hair care game up a notch and invest in some good quality brushes and combs made for your hair type. This way, you can avoid damage like breakage and split ends.
Conclusion
All these bad habits can sabotage your hair goals. Most of us want to have a mane that looks healthy and full of life. After all, isn’t that the ultimate hair goal? When it comes to achieving & maintaining a great mane, you have to take care of it the right way.
If you’re guilty of any of these bad hair habits, work on changing your ways immediately. Sure, it’s not always easy to break a habit. It may take you a few attempts until you can kick a bad habit out the door. But once you do, you’ll feel good knowing you’re doing what’s best for your hair.
