Our hair is subjected to a lot of wear and tear and as most salons are operating on a limited capacity and not many are willing to risk the close quarters, our hair is at our mercy at home. With most of us doing DIY cuts, coloring, and treatments, some are going overboard with no proper guidance from our favorite salon personnel. According to hair experts, here are the top bad hair habits to avoid for better scalp and hair health.
Overwashing or underwashing.
Since everyone's hair type is different, don't fall into strict hair washing rules that prevent you from finding out if they're actually good for your hair. Also scalp conditions vary, just like skin types. If you have a dry scalp, you can skip daily shampooing to allow natural oils to come out. When your scalp is oily, you can shampoo more to prevent buildup. Those with very curly hair can also benefit from co-washing since their hair type tends to get very dry.
Brushing wet hair roughly.
Redbook warns that wet hair is delicate and is more prone to breakage. When in the shower, use a wide-toothed combed to detangle hair and to distribute conditioner evenly. It's best to avoid hairbrushes for wet hair, period, unless it's a detangling brush like the Tangle Teezer. Also, when combing wet hair, remove snags by starting at the ends and then at the middle part. You can start combing from the roots to the tips one hair is completely tangle-free. For wet hair, Allure recommends Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler or Hercules Sagemann Magic Star Hair Comb.
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Relying on dry shampoo.
While dry shampoo is convenient, it usually contains starch that soak up oils to give your second day hair a boost. However, it can cause product buildup if you go days without washing. If you use dry shampoo constantly, make sure to keep a clarifying shampoo on hand to remove scalp buildup. Cosmopolitan likes Ouai Detox Shampoo, Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo and Dove Clarify Charcoal & Hydrate Shampoo.
Forgetting heat protectant products.
Heat styling is a part of many people's daily hair routines. Blow dryers and straightening and curling irons can do a lot of damage, especially if they're always set on very high heat. If you can't avoid heat styling, make sure to apply a heat protectant. Byrdie suggests Pantene Pro-V Heat Primer Thermal Heat Protectant, Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant, Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant Cream and Garnier Fructis Flat Iron Perfector. Don't forget to give your hair a break and just let it air dry when possible.
Overprocessing hair with color.
According to celebrity hair colorist and Redken color ambassador Matt Rez, "Hair was never meant to be colored and or styled as much as we do nowadays." Rez tells Who What Wear that a less invasive process is glossing which adds shine and breathe new life into existing hair color. While highlights can add movement to dark hair, it's best to avoid bleaching all of your hair to avoid extreme damage.
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