20 Hair Care Mistakes You Should Avoid (#11 is Unexpected!)

Like most things, hair care takes a while to get “good” at.

After all, your hair is one of a kind. From the color to the texture (and everything in between), it can be difficult to feel as though you’ve got a grip on your mane sometimes.

With split ends appearing out of nowhere and moisture practically evaporating, haircare can easily feel like a mean prank most of the time, despite all of our efforts.

Unfortunately, there has yet to be a universal, fool-proof hair care routine.

And, in the meantime, there are many hair care mistakes that we are oftentimes unknowingly making, leading to dryness, breakage, and generally lackluster hair. 

While it is frustrating to know that no one has gotten hair care 100% right, it’s extremely refreshing to know that we’re not alone in the absolute nonsense that is our hair.

And while I can’t give you the secret formula to luscious flowing locks, I can tell you how I and everyone else have messed up on this journey to achieve flawless hair.

Keep reading to find out what some of these mistakes are so that you can avoid them in the future!

20 Hair Care Mistakes You Should Avoid

Hair Care Mistakes You Should Avoid

Washing Your Hair Too Frequently 

Hair care mistake #1 - Washing Your Hair Too Frequently

Yes, you read that correctly.

It may sound completely backwards, but shampooing your hair daily is more damaging than it is helpful.

Every time that you wash your hair and strip it of its oil, your oil glands produce more to compensate for the loss.

Repeating this process daily causes your oil glands to adjust, leaving your hair dry and agitated. 

Who would have thought? Not me.

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to spot when you and your oil glands aren’t on good terms.

I’m sure we’ve all seen this play out before – loss of shine, split ends, frizziness, and dandruff.

YUCK!

As you probably guessed, these can be combatted by washing your hair often enough: every three to four days to be exact!

Or by using more gentle and scalp-friendly shampoos like this one here.

Another thing to mention is that most people find that simply washing with water on off days works just fine.

Not Washing Your Hair Enough 

Hair care mistake #2 -Not Washing Your Hair Enough 

While you certainly don’t need it every day, shampooing too little can also drag your hair down.

When undergoing long periods between washes, oil can build up causing dandruff, hindered growth, and a flaky, irritated scalp.

Under these circumstances, it’s common for hair to appear thinner, become less receptive to hair dye, and carry odor easily.

Using Harsh Hair Products

Hair care mistake #3 - Using Harsh Hair Products

Here is a tough pill to swallow: All hair products were NOT created equally

I was shocked when I found out about the long list of harmful ingredients found in most shampoos and conditioners.

Despite leaving your hair with shine, many products include sulfates and parabens which can be linked to dryness and even increased cancer cells. 

Neglecting Your Scalp

Hair care mistake #4 - Neglecting Your Scalp

Your hair is always going to be the star of the show, but it’s always important to give credit and love where it’s due- Your scalp!

All too frequently we forget to massage and exfoliate our scalps during washing and conditioning. However, this is an essential part of encouraging blood flow and hair growth.

Exfoliating the scalp (Vitagoods have one of the most effective scalp massagers) is known to help reduce the build-up of excess oil and dead skin, providing you with a clean slate to grow thicker, healthier, stronger hair.  

Using Towels To Dry Your Hair

Hair care mistake #5 - Using Towels To Dry Your Hair

Not using a towel to dry your hair may sound silly, but the roughness of most traditional towels can be damaging to our hair, especially when wet.

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Squeezing your hair in such rough material is known to worsen split ends and weaken hair.

T-shirts or microfiber towels tend to be more gentle on hair and also more absorbent, reducing and preventing frizz.

Blowdrying Your Wet Hair

Hair care mistake #6 - Blowdrying Your Wet Hair

We’ve all felt the post-shower anticipation of just wanting our hair to be dry.

Regardless of this, you shouldn’t go straight from the shower to your hairdryer.

When still wet, hair can easily frizz up and experience breakage when exposed to intense amounts of heat.

Patting your hair dry with a T-shirt or microfiber towel before using heat is always advised and will save you a day’s worth of frizz and disappointment. 

Sleeping With Wet Hair

Hair care mistake #7 - Sleeping With Wet Hair

Whether you toss and turn or sleep like a statue, the bed is NO place for weak, wet hair.

Friction from moving throughout the night is sure to lead to broken and lackluster hair.

Though your pillow is good for absorbing excess water, it’s also known to absorb your hair’s natural oils, leaving you with dull, tangled, and broken hair in the morning. 

Overusing Hot Styling Tools

Hair care mistake #8 - Overusing Hot Styling Tools

When used correctly, hot styling tools can help you achieve the look you desire.

However, it’s important to avoid overusing these tools to maintain healthy hair.

Overuse of hot styling tools can cause dryness, brittleness, and an unhealthy appearance.

If you want to avoid these negative consequences, limit your use of hot styling tools.

Use them only occasionally or for special occasions. Your hair will thank you for it!

Not Using Heat Protection

Hair care mistake #9 - Not Using Heat Protection

Unfortunately, despite how much we like to think about it, putting your hairdryer on the lowest setting isn’t enough to protect your hair from the heat.

When it comes to battling heat damage head-on, heat protection spray is going to be your best friend.

While it may seem trivial now, the future is begging you to abide. Take it from me, a heat damage survivor: It is no joke!

The most frustrating part of heat damage is by far how noticeable it is.

When heat damaged, hair can be overly dry, frizzy, rough in texture, and frail.

Because of this, hair tends to knot and break easily, making styling a mere impossibility. 

Not Deep Conditioning Your Hair

Hair care mistake #10 - Not Deep Conditioning Your Hair

One of the most important steps in taking care of your hair is to deep condition it regularly.

This step helps replenish moisture and add shine and softness to your strands.

Unfortunately, many people skip this step or don’t do it correctly, which can lead to dry, brittle, and damaged hair.

If you want healthy and beautiful hair, make sure you’re deep conditioning your hair regularly, at least once a week.

Brushing Your Hair The Wrong Way

Hair care mistake #11 - Brushing Your Hair The Wrong Way

Starting at the bottom and working your way up is a good approach to life, but it happens to be the best approach to hair!

Well, brushing and detangling hair at least.

Though it seems to make sense in theory, starting your hairbrush at your scalp and working down leads to tons of unnecessary ripping and breakage.

Starting at the tips of your hair and working your way towards the roots allows for an easier, more gentle detangling method.

This works best when applying a leave-in conditioner to the more stubborn tangles.

Stressing Your Hair Out

Hair care mistake #12 - Stressing Your Hair Out

Everyone loves a high ponytail or a tight ballerina bun now and then. However, the consistent use of tight and stressful hairstyles can be a short and slippery slope to “Hair-Loss Town”.

When under constant pressure and pulling, hair breaks away from its roots often causing splitting and weakness. 

Not Frequently Trimming Your Hair

Hair care mistake #13 - Not Frequently Trimming Your Hair

Most people are aware that they should avoid things like not shampooing often enough, using heat tools daily, and sleeping with wet hair.

However, one hair care mistake that is often overlooked is failing to trim your hair regularly.

Not trimming your hair regularly can cause several problems, including split ends, and damaged hair.

If you want to keep your hair looking its best, make sure to schedule regular trims every 6-8 weeks.

Wearing Tight Hairstyles Frequently

Hair care mistake #14 - Wearing Tight Hairstyles Frequently

One of the main problems that can be caused by tight hairstyles is scalp irritation.

This is because when the hair is pulled too tight, it can cause the skin on the scalp to become irritated.

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This can then lead to a number of other problems such as dandruff, dryness, and itching.

Conditioning Your Hair Roots

Hair care mistake #15 - Conditioning Your Hair Roots

If you’re trying to avoid hair care mistakes, then you shouldn’t be putting conditioner on your roots.

This can lead to a number of problems, including scalp irritation and greasy roots.

So what should you do instead? Well, if you want to condition your hair, focus on the ends and mid-lengths.

And if you want to give your roots a boost, try using a volumizing or clarifying shampoo like this one instead.

Washing Hair With Hot Water

Hair care mistake #16 - Washing Hair With Hot Water

Hot water can strip away the natural oils in your hair, leaving it dry and damaged. It can also make your scalp more susceptible to irritation.

If you must wash your hair with hot water, be sure to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to help replenish lost moisture.

To help keep your locks healthy and hydrated, opt for lukewarm water instead – your hair (and scalp) will thank you!

Not Cleaning Your Combs and Brushes

Hair care mistake #17 - Not Cleaning Your Combs and Brushes

One of the hair care mistakes that many people make is not cleaning their combs and brushes.

This can lead to a build-up of dirt, oil, and product on the bristles, which can then be transferred back to your hair.

Not only will this make your hair look greasy and unhealthy, but it can also cause scalp irritation.

To avoid this, make sure to clean your combs and brushes at least once a week with warm water and shampoo.

Check out the full guide I posted here on the best ways to clean hair combs.

Skipping Hair Oil Treatments

Hair care mistake #18 - Skipping Hair Oil Treatments

While it may seem like an extra step that you can save time on in your hair care routine, using hair oil can help to keep your scalp and strands healthy.

Here are a few reasons why skipping hair oil treatments is one of the hair care mistakes to avoid: 

  • Hair oil helps to moisturize your scalp and strands, which can prevent dryness, breakage, and split ends.
  • Hair oil can also help protect your hair from damage caused by heat styling and environmental factors.
  • Adding a hair oil treatment to your routine can help give you the shiny, bouncy, healthy hair you’ve always wanted.

My personal recommendation is to use Moroccanoil Treatment.

I know that your hair type may raise some concerns here, but chances are your strands could benefit from it in one way or another.

Because it’s a multitasking hair treatment infused with argan oil to promote a healthier look and feel for all hair types.

Inadequate Water Intake

Hair care mistake #19 - Inadequate Water Intake

Adequate hydration is key for a healthy scalp and lustrous locks, so make sure you’re sipping throughout the day.

Dehydration can lead to a whole host of issues, including dryness, brittle strands, and an itchy scalp.

If you’re not properly hydrated, your hair will be the first place it shows.

Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water every day to keep your mane looking its best.

Neglecting Your Diet

Hair care mistake #20 - Neglecting Your Diet

When it comes to hair care, one of the worst things you can do is neglect your diet.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is essential for keeping your hair looking its best.

Not only will proper nutrition give you the strength and shine you want, but it can also help prevent common problems like hair loss and dandruff.

So what should you eat for healthy hair?

While it’s true that some types of food help you get shiny healthy hair.

A general rule of thumb is to focus on foods that are high in protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Foods like eggs, salmon, berries, and leafy greens are all great choices.

Avoid These Hair Care Mistakes At All Costs!

Avoid these hair care mistakes at all costs to maintain healthy and strong hair.

Follow the tips in this article and consult a professional if needed.

Be sure to shampoo and condition your hair regularly, use products that are appropriate for your hair type, and avoid over-styling your hair.

Taking proper care of your hair can help it look its best and stay healthy for years to come.

And, with the right hair care routine, you can achieve the beautiful and healthy hair you’ve always wanted.

Do you suffer from hair thinning or visible hair loss? Check out this 3-second ritual that brings back long, luscious hair fast!