9 Common Haircare Mistakes You Maybe Guilty of Making
Taking good care of your hair is essential to maintaining a healthy look and feel. Unfortunately, many people make common mistakes that can inhibit its growth, and lead to damage, breakage, and so much more. To help you get the most out of your hair care routine, let’s discuss 9 of the most common haircare mistakes and provide tips on how to avoid them.
1. Not massaging before every wash:
Massaging your scalp before every wash can be beneficial for several reasons.
Firstly, scalp massages can help to stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles. This results in increased blood flow which can help to bring nutrients to the hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth.
Secondly, scalp massages can aid in removing excess oil and dirt from the scalp, which can clog the hair follicles and inhibit hair growth. By massaging the scalp, you support loosening and removing these impurities.
Finally, scalp massages can be very relaxing and stress-relieving thus has a positive impact on overall hair health. Stress can affect the hair and scalp in several ways, including causing an unhealthy scalp and hair loss.
By taking the time to massage your scalp, you can help to reduce stress, stimulate blood flow, and loosen excess oil and dirt thus improving the health of your scalp and hair. Be sure to be gentle and avoid applying too much pressure, as this can cause irritation or damage to the scalp.
To massage your scalp, use your fingertips or try a scalp massaging brush to gently rub in forward and backward motions for a few minutes before shampooing or after oiling.
2. Over or Under washing your hair:
Many people believe that washing their hair every day is necessary to keep it clean and healthy, but this is a common mistake. While it is important to keep your scalp and hair clean, washing your hair too much can strip it of its natural oils and lead to dryness, frizz, and breakage.
The scalp produces a natural oil called sebum, which helps to keep the hair and scalp moisturized and healthy. When you wash your hair too frequently, you can remove too much of this natural oil, leading to a dry, itchy scalp and dry, damaged hair.
On the other hand, not washing your hair often enough can lead to sweat and oil buildup on the scalp which can eventually lead to several problems.
Firstly, excess oil on the scalp can lead to the growth of bacteria and fungi, which can cause inflammation and dandruff often leading to an itchy, flaky scalp, which can be uncomfortable and unsightly.
Secondly, excess oil and sweat can weigh down the hair and make it look greasy and lifeless. This can be particularly problematic for people with fine or thin hair, as it can make the hair appear thin and flat.
Finally, sweat and oil build-up can block the hair follicles, preventing proper hair growth and potentially leading to hair loss.
To maintain a healthy scalp and hair, it is important to regularly cleanse the hair and scalp. Aim to wash your hair every 2-3 days using a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Also, remember to include regular scalp massages to stimulate blood flow and remove excess oil and dirt.
3. Using hot water & harsh hair products:
Hot water can cause your hair to become dry and brittle, leading to breakage. This is because heat causes the cuticle, or outer layer, of the hair to open up, which can lead to moisture loss and damage.
To minimize heat damage, it is important to use cool or lukewarm to wash your hair. This will help to seal the cuticle and lock in moisture, resulting in healthier and stronger hair.
Additionally, many hair products, such as hairspray, gel, and mousse, can contain ingredients that can be harsh on the hair and irritating to the scalp. These products can cause can further strip the hair of its natural oils, causing further damage including dryness, breakage, and even allergic reactions.
To protect your hair, choose products that are sulfate-free and made with natural ingredients.
4. Brushing & tying your hair when it is wet:
Did you know wet hair is more prone to breakage and damage?
Wet hair is weaker and more elastic than dry hair. When you brush or tie your hair when it is wet, you can put additional strain on the hair shaft, causing it to break or become damaged.
To minimize the risk of breakage, it is important to be gentle with your hair when it is wet. Instead of using a brush, try using a wide tooth comb to detangle your hair, starting at the ends and working your way up to the roots.
Avoid tying your hair up in tight ponytails or buns, as this can put additional strain on the hair and cause breakage. If you need to tie your hair up, wait until it is at least partially dry to minimize damage.
5. Using Heat Without Protection:
We all love having sleekly straightened tresses or beachy waves but overusing heat without adequate protection can do more harm than good in the long run.
Using heat on the hair without proper protection can be damaging to the scalp and hair. Heat styling tools, such as flat irons and curling irons, can cause the hair to become dry and brittle, often making it more prone to damage and leading to breakage.
Additionally, using heat on the hair without protection can lead to split ends and other types of damage to the hair shaft. This can make the hair look unhealthy and difficult to manage.
To protect the hair from heat damage, it is important to use a heat-protectant spray before styling as this will help shield each strand from direct contact with hot air. Also, when possible avoid using heat on the hair every day.
Whenever you do use heat styling tools, try to use the lowest heat setting possible and avoid styling your hair too close to the roots. This will help reduce frizziness and encourage growth over time instead of damaging split ends that need cutting off regularly.
6. Using tight hairstyles:
Hairstyles that pull on the hair, such as tight ponytails and cornrows, can cause damage to the hair shaft and hair follicles. These types of hairstyles can lead to traction alopecia, a form of hair loss caused by chronic traction on the hair. To avoid this type of damage, try to avoid tight hairstyles and opt for looser, gentler styles.
7. Not using protective hairstyles:
Protective hairstyles, such as loose braids and twists, can help to keep your hair healthy by minimizing the amount of manipulation and styling that it is exposed to. These styles can also help to protect your hair from heat and UV damage.
Consider wearing a protective hairstyle if you are planning on being outdoors or if you want to give your hair a break from heat styling.
8. Not protecting your hair from the sun:
Just like your skin, your hair can be damaged by the sun's UV rays. Protecting your scalp from the sun is an essential part of keeping it healthy and promoting healthy hair growth.
Be sure to protect your scalp by wearing a hat, using an umbrella, using a leave-in conditioner with SPF and oils like Babassu when spending long periods in the sun.
9. Skipping oiling:
According to the principles of Ayurveda, regularly oiling the hair and scalp can help to improve its overall health and appearance. Oil is seen as a nourishing and soothing substance that can help to balance the scalp and promote healthy hair growth.
By creating a barrier on the hair shaft, oils can help to seal in moisture and prevent the hair from becoming dry and brittle. This acts as an aid in reducing frizz and improving the hair's manageability, thus making it easier to style and maintain.
To use oil on the hair and scalp apply a small amount and gently massage it into the scalp and hair. Use a small amount of oil to avoid weighing down the hair or making it appear greasy. Depending on your preference, you can leave the oil in for a few hours or overnight before washing it out.
When oiling, it’s important to remember different oils have different properties and can be used to address specific hair and scalp concerns. For example, coconut oil is a popular choice for moisturizing the hair and scalp, while rosemary and castor oil can help to stimulate hair growth. Learn more about all the oils used inside the Nourish formulation by clicking here.
Remember, maintaining healthy-looking hair doesn’t have to be complicated. By avoiding hair care mistakes, and following the tips outlined above you can help to keep your hair healthy and strong.