Bad Hair Habits That Harm Your Hair And Scalp

Want healthy, vibrant hair? It's not enough to just wish for it. Your habits and actions really matter and can either make or break your hair. Now is a great time to revamp your hair care routine. You might be thinking about hitting the gym more or reading more books, but don't forget your hair!

Caring for your hair means giving it what it needs. That means not using heat styling and bleaching too much. It also involves using the right hair products to tackle your specific hair issues. And, of course, it means ditching bad habits that lead to breakage and damage. Keep reading to learn about 10 common bad hair habits and how to improve your routine.

Key Takeaways

• Everyday habits can weaken hair and scalp health, increasing breakage, shedding, and irritation.
  

• Consistent use of a matching shampoo, conditioner, and deep treatments keeps strands moisturized and smoother.
  

• Gentle care when washing and drying, including cooler water, reduces damage to fragile wet hair.
  

• Avoiding tight styles, frequent hot tools, and neglecting scalp care helps maintain stronger hair.

Bad Hair Habits to Break

Our hair routines can become so automatic that you might develop bad habits without realizing it. Here are 10 bad hair habits to ditch this year.

1. Skipping on a Hair Care System

Using different shampoos and conditioners might not be the best approach. Try using a full hair care system to address your specific concerns, like dryness or frizz. A hair care system is designed to work together for better results. If you skip conditioner, know that it's a bad habit to break.

Everyone, whether you have frizzy, curly, thin, or color-treated hair, can benefit from regular conditioning. It locks in moisture and helps hair dry faster by sealing each strand. My sister had fewer tangles after a short pre-wash oil, and it made conditioning easier.

2. Tying Hair Up Tightly

Pulling your hair into a tight updo might be convenient, but it can stress your hair. If your ponytail is too tight, it can pull and cause breakage, especially if you do it often. Give your hair a break by using loose ponytails and soft fabric hair ties.

Here's how to improve your hair elasticity.

3. Skipping on Deep Conditioning Treatments

If you don't use a deep conditioner or hair mask regularly, you should—it can greatly help keep your hair healthy. When your hair needs extra care, use a deep conditioning treatment. This mask works for all hair types, nourishing strands, enhancing shine, and smoothing hair.

4. Towel Drying Hair

If you reach for a towel after washing your hair, reconsider. Cotton towels can be rough, creating friction that leads to breakage and damage. Instead, use a soft T-shirt to gently plop your hair and remove extra water before styling.

5. Brushing Your Hair While Wet

Your hair is most fragile when wet, so brushing it then is a no-no. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle knots, and apply a hair treatment to help.

Here's how to properly apply batana oil to your hair.

6. Overdoing It With the Heat Tools

Hot tools like dryers, flat irons, and curling wands are effective, but too much heat can cause damage. You don't have to give them up completely. Instead, use heatless styles sometimes, and always use heat protectant when applying heat.

Learn how to repair your heat-damaged hair.

7. Rough Shampooing

When shampooing, you don't need to scrub hard to get clean hair. It might seem like the only way to cleanse your hair well, but you could be causing damage. Wet hair is fragile, so avoid any rough actions that can cause breakage.

Instead, gently massage shampoo and conditioner into your hair and scalp. Focus shampoo on your roots and conditioner on the lengths and ends to prevent product buildup.

8. Washing Your Hair With Scorching Hot Temps

Although it feels nice, very hot water can strip essential oils from your hair and skin, and also fade your hair color. The goal of a healthy hair routine is to keep your hair moisturized, not dry it out. Next time you wash your hair, use lukewarm water. It might not feel as good, but it's better for your hair.

9. Blow Drying Your Hair When It’s Soaking Wet

As mentioned, too much heat is bad for your hair. The longer you blow-dry, the worse it is. Instead of starting right after the shower, wait until your hair is a bit damp before blow-drying. This helps your hair look and feel better, and speeds up the process. I noticed that waiting until my hair was damp helped reduce frizz.

If you're short on time, rough dry your hair until it's about 80 percent dry before styling with a round brush. Simply removing extra moisture is healthier because you're using less direct heat, and it makes the whole process faster and easier.

Check out these anti-frizz hair serums.

10. Not Caring for Your Scalp

Many people ignore their scalp. Give your scalp attention by adding a scalp scrub to your routine once a month to remove dead skin cells and product buildup. Also, add a weekly scalp massage. Think of it as self-care, not a chore.

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It's tempting to scrub your scalp raw during shampooing, but resist that urge! Rough shampooing, especially when hair is wet and fragile, can cause breakage. Instead, focus on gentle massage.

If you're tempted to scrub vigorously, then slow down and use your fingertips to gently massage the shampoo into your roots. Think of it as a mini-spa treatment for your scalp! This will cleanse effectively without causing damage.