10 Hair Mistakes You’re Probably Making

Short or long, curly or straight, blonde or brunette — your hair is your crowning glory. You want to do what’s best for your hair, but sometimes you make damaging mistakes without even realizing it! To keep your hair healthy and growing, there are a few everyday mistakes you need to stop making right away.

1. Holding on to length that isn’t healthy

Long hair is so closely tied to femininity in our culture, that women will go to great lengths to hold on to their long hair. Even if it means keeping long hair that is damaged, fried, and breaking. Short healthy hair is always more flattering than long damaged hair. One way to keep your hair healthy is to get regular trims so prevent split ends.

2. Using too much heat

Heat is a hair killer. While it is fine to use heat occasionally, to keep your hair looking its best, it is best to limit your hair’s exposure to heat. Remember, your hair is most beautiful the way it naturally grows out of your head! So embrace your curls, coils, waves, and kinks. Give your hair a heat break by wearing your hair natural from time to time. Your tresses will thank you and be healthier for it.

3. Using a towel on your hair

Guess what, a towel actually damages your beautiful tresses! A regular bath towel can cause friction that leads to split ends and breakage. A towel can even rub off essential leave in conditioners. Instead of a towel, you can use an old t-shirt or a microfiber hair towel to dry your hair thoroughly and without damage.

4. Not pampering your hair

Your hair deserves as much TLC as you can give it. Don’t neglect your hair. Sleep in a satin scarf or on a silk pillowcase, take hair vitamins daily, and use the best products for you unique hair type.

5. Over-washing your hair

This is a hotly contested topic, but when you wash your hair too much you are stripping your hair of essential oils. As a result, your hair might overcompensate and create more oil, causing greasy hair. If you have a coarser or more curly hair texture, over-washing can dry your hair out causing frizz and breakage. For finer hair types start by washing your hair every other day. For thick or curly hair types, once a week washing is fine.

6. Doing complicated hair styles at home

There is a reason cosmetology school exists. When it comes to advanced hair treatments like color, complicated cuts, or straightening treatments, it is best to leave those to the professionals to avoid damage or disappointment.

7. Using products with drying agents

If your hair is chronically dry, the culprit might be in the products you use. Try switching to alcohol or paraben free shampoos and conditioners, and don’t use styling products with alcohol.

8. Not making enough time to properly care for your hair

Time is precious. Not many of us want to spend an entire afternoon taking care of and styling our hair. But to achieve your perfect hair you need time and patience. Whether it is time at the salon or time spent deep conditioning or detangling, making your hair look its best sometimes takes more time than you anticipated. So be aware of that and make sure to set aside the time it takes to achieve the look you want.

9. Not eating a hair healthy diet

We all know beauty starts from within. Some foods are really good for your hair’s health. Food packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids like salmon are really great, leafy dark vegetables like spinach and kale can strengthen your hair, sweet potatoes can fight dull hair. Be sure to eat the most well-rounded diet possible to give yourself the best hair possible.

10. Not clarifying

Even the best products can leave build up. So it’s best to occasionally clarify your hair. Thick and curly hair textures don’t need to be clarified as often. Once a month is fine. If your hair is fine, you might notice build up more frequently. In that case, weekly clarifying treatments work. However, no matter what your hair type it is be sure to find a clarifying shampoo that will remove build up without fully stripping your hair.