Hi lovely! Hope you’re having a wonderful week! When I first started my HAIRLOVE adventure, I’ll admit, I had some hair habits that did more harm than good. I thought buying a few nice hair products would be enough to keep my hair strong and sleek, but it took one bleach job gone wrong to prove otherwise.
This was the turning point for me. I dove into the science of hair, natural hair growth products, and what to start doing (and stop doing) to get my hair where I wanted. I’d love to share some of what I’ve learned, and the top 8 hair mistakes I see so you can avoid them!
8 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make in Your Hair Routine
1. Overwashing
First up is overwashing your hair. I know just how tempting it can be to wash your hair frequently when you struggle with oily hair. But did you know that washing your hair too much can actually make it worse? Showering and washing your hair, especially in hot water, strips your scalp of its natural oil production. Your body responds by producing more oil. That’s the last thing you want! Overwashing also can lead to issues like increased frizz, lackluster locks, and breakage.
That’s why it's so important to find a healthy balance between cleanliness and the preservation of your hair's natural oils. But don’t worry, it’s possible to train your hair so you don’t need to wash it everyday! The goal is to start with washing every other day, and then eventually work up to 4 to 5 days between wash days for fine/thin hair and up to 10 days for thick/coarse hair. Of course, this is all up to you, your own unique hair, and what feels good!
2. Rough Towel Drying
Once you’re out of the shower, towel drying may be an automatic part of your hair routine. It’s a common mistake to vigorously rub your hair with a towel to dry it, or wrap it up tight in a body towel, both of which can cause friction and breakage. That’s because wet hair is more susceptible to damage than dry hair, so you need to give it special treatment to protect it after showering.
Instead of rough towel-drying, opt for a gentler approach. Pat your hair gently with a soft, absorbent towel, like a microfiber towel, to remove excess water without any extra stress. Our Luxury Hair Towel is designed to not only speed up the drying process, but dry in a gentle, non-damaging way. The microfiber material is softer on hair, which helps minimize frizz, breakage, and split ends. It’s a must-have for your post-shower routine!
3. Overusing Dry Shampoo
Next up is dry shampoo. This is probably your go-to in between washes — and there’s nothing wrong with that! Trust me, I’m a big fan of dry shampoo for giving my hair volume and extending my wash period. You just want to be careful to choose the right product and take measures not to overdo it. Why? Because the ingredients in dry shampoo can dry out your scalp and the product buildup could lead to fungal infections.
If you’re a lover of dry shampoo, try not to use it two days in a row. And always, always look for the best dry shampoos with clean ingredients. One of my personal favs is Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Biotin Dry Shampoo since it has non-drying, organic ingredients. Another way to keep your scalp from drying out is by applying an argan oil hair mask once a week. You can also try detoxing your scalp to lessen clogged pores, like with our Detox Scalp Massager.
4. Chemicals and Harmful Products
While we are on the topic, it’s important to keep an eye out for harmful ingredients in all your hair products, not just dry shampoo! In the pursuit of the perfect hairstyle, it’s easy to fall into the trap of overprocessing your hair with harsh chemicals and harmful products. I’ve been there too! But frequent use of chemical treatments or products with harmful chemicals can take a toll on the hair's structural integrity, leading to breakage, dryness, and damage.
You can find the right balance between achieving the desired look and preserving the natural strength of your hair. Consider gentler alternatives or spacing out chemical treatments to give your hair time to recover. And be vigilant about reading product labels to avoid shampoos, conditioners, and styling products with harmful ingredients like sulfates and parabens. Check out this article for a full list of chemicals to avoid in hair products. Prioritizing the use of nourishing, natural hair products can make all the difference for your health and its vibrancy in the long run.
5. Overstyling
Number five on the list is overstyling. Heat styling tools like straighteners and curling irons are so useful, but you also need to watch how often you use them. Overstyling can result in heat damage, making your hair more prone to breakage and split ends. Plus, styling products like gels, mousses, and hairsprays can build up over time and make matters worse.
So how do you cut down on your overstyling? Consider trying more heat-free styling methods like loose braids or twists with hair ties that won’t damage your hair, such as our Luxury Silk Scrunchies. You can also allow your hair to air-dry occasionally. For styling days, opt for styling products with natural, clean ingredients. Like everything, it’s about balance — find days to give your hair a break, and other days to rock your style!
6. Using an Old Hair Brush
Brushing your hair is something you do every day, but your hair brush probably doesn’t cross your mind very often. With all the daily use, your hairbrush can get clogged up with hair, dead skin cells, and other residue and debris. So everytime you run that clogged brush through your hair, it can transfer gunk back onto your scalp. This gunk may contain bacteria and fungi built up over time, which is bad news for your scalp! Using an old brush can lead to scalp irritation and damage.
That’s exactly why I recommend cleaning your hair brush regularly to avoid any possible issues! Watch the video below to see me break down how to clean your hair brush. Also just as important is using the right type of hair brush. My favorite is the Denman Hair Brush for gentle brushing to avoid damaging hair. This is such a small change in your hair routine, but since brushing is an everyday activity, it can have ripple effects for your hair!
7. Skipping Haircuts
When you’re struggling with hair loss, every little inch counts. Probably the last thing on your mind is haircuts. Why would you get a haircut when your hair is barely growing? But you can actually be hurting your hair growth, not help it, when you skip out on haircuts. That’s because overtime you naturally get split ends, especially if your hair is already damaged. Split ends themselves don’t stop hair from growing at the roots, but split ends can travel up your hair shaft, weakening your hair even more and causing strands to break easily.
This is where regular trims come in, even if your goal is hair growth. Cutting off the minimal amount needed will help prevent split ends and being forced to cut off even more inches because the split ends traveled up your hair shaft. Instead of skipping haircuts, it’s better to practice preventative care to lessen split ends and damage in the first place! That’s where everything else on this list comes into play — from using natural hair products to avoiding overstyling.
8. Not Protecting Your Hair
I love getting out and soaking up the sunshine in the summer, or enjoying a snow day in the mountains. But the environment can hurt your hair if you’re not careful. Exposure to harsh weather conditions — including sun, wind, and extreme temperatures — can lead to dryness, brittleness, and color fading. UV rays from the sun, in particular, can damage your hair's cuticle and weaken strands. Plus, pollutants and chemicals in the air can add to the build up of residue on your hair, affecting its texture and shine.
To counter these challenges, consider protective measures such as wearing hats or scarves in
extreme weather, or protective hair styles like loose braids or buns. Also, you can use our Nourish + Repair Serum, made of 100% argan oil, as a leave-in conditioner to seal in moisture and help protect your hair from the elements. It’s wonderful to get out in nature and enjoy all it has to offer, but remember, just as you protect your skin, be sure to protect your hair!
Out with the Bad, In with the Good
There you have it! If you’ve been guilty of any of these mistakes, don’t worry… it’s never too late to make positive changes for your hair! It’s amazing how the little, everyday things add up overtime — from the brush you use, to the towel after you shower, to your hair care routine for washing and styling.
And if you need some extra help along the way, try our Growth Complex! This is exactly what my hair needed when I hit rock bottom after my bleach job went wrong. Paired with the right hair routine, it can do wonders for your hair growth and hair health.
With these 8 hair mistakes out of the way, now is a great time to say bye to the bad and hello to happy, vibrant hair!
xo - Kaley
