7 Common Haircare Mistakes You Might Be Making And How to Fix Them

We all want healthy, beautiful hair, but sometimes, our haircare routines can do more harm than good. Many of us unknowingly make mistakes that can damage our locks and hinder their growth. So, let’s identify and correct these common errors and improve the health and appearance of our hair.

Photo Credit: @olapex

1. Neglecting Your Scalp Health

Many of us focus solely on our hair strands, forgetting the foundation of healthy hair – the scalp. A common mistake is neglecting proper scalp care, which can lead to multiple issues affecting our hair’s appearance and vitality.

An unhealthy scalp can result in dandruff, itchiness, and flakiness. These conditions not only cause discomfort but can also impact hair growth and your overall hair health.

Think of your scalp like your face. It requires regular cleansing, exfoliation, and nourishing treatments to maintain its health.

Here are some tips to improve scalp care:

• Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo
• Massage your scalp while washing to increase blood circulation
• Exfoliate your scalp to remove dead skin cells
• Apply scalp treatments or masks regularly

You can create an optimal environment for healthy hair growth by giving your scalp the attention it deserves. Remember, a healthy scalp is the foundation for beautiful, strong hair!

For more details on scalp care, be sure to check out my post: The Definitive Guide To Scalp Care For Healthier Hair.

2. Overwashing You Hair (Or Not Washing Your Hair Often Enough)

Photo Credit: @pureology

Many of us are guilty of washing our hair too frequently or not often enough. Washing your hair too often can strip away natural oils, leaving your locks dry and damaged. Not washing your hair enough can cause buildup and excess oil.

How often should you wash? It depends on your hair type and lifestyle. For many people, washing 2-3 times a week is sufficient.

Oily hair may need more frequent washing, while dry or curly hair can go longer between washes. Pay attention to your scalp’s needs and adjust accordingly.

Overwashing can lead to:

• Increased oil production
• Dry, brittle strands
• Scalp irritation
• Fading hair color

To combat overwashing, try a dry shampoo between washes. It helps absorb excess oil and extend the time between full washes.

Underwashing can lead to:

• Product buildup on your scalp and hair
• A dull, weighed-down appearance
• Potential scalp issues, such as dandruff or flakiness

Washing your hair at the right frequency maintains a balanced scalp environment and supports a healthy hair growth cycle. When washing, consider using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. These shampoos cleanse without stripping away too much natural oil.

3. Ignoring Your Hair Type and Texture

Photo Credit: @cami_beauty

One of the most common haircare mistakes is failing to consider your unique hair type and texture. Not all hair is created equal, and what works for one person may not work for another.

Hair types range from straight to curly, with variations in between. Textures can be fine, medium, or coarse, and each combination requires different care and products.

For example, women with curly hair often need more moisture to prevent frizz and enhance curl definition. On the other hand, women with fine, straight hair may find heavy products weigh their hair down.

Pay attention to how your hair responds to different products and techniques. What works for your friend or a favorite influencer might not be ideal for your hair.

Remember, using products formulated for your specific hair type can make a significant difference in the health and appearance of your locks.

4. Skipping Heat Protectants

Using heat styling tools without heat protection is a common mistake that can damage your hair. Heat can strip moisture, leading to dryness, breakage, and split ends.

Heat protectants act as a barrier between your hair and high temperatures. They create a shield for your strands, much like sunscreen protects your skin.

Before using any hot tools, apply a heat protectant spray or serum. This simple step can minimize damage and help maintain your hair’s health.

Choose one that suits your hair type and styling routine. Remember to apply it evenly from roots to ends for complete coverage.

5. Excessive Use of Heat Tools

Many of us rely on hot tools to style our hair, but overusing them can lead to damage. Heat styling tools like flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers can cause hair to become dry, brittle, and prone to breakage when used too frequently.

Per phys.org, curling irons and flat irons damage our hair’s keratin proteins. These proteins make up 85% of our hair! The result? Dry, weakened, and brittle locks. This damage can accumulate over time, affecting hair health and hindering growth.

To minimize hair damage:

• Use tools with adjustable heat settings
• Choose the lowest effective temperature for our hair type
• Limit styling time
• Allow hair to air dry when possible

Next-generation tools with built-in heat sensors, like the T3 Curl ID Curling Iron, can help by allowing us to input our hair specifics and automatically adjust the temperature. Although a little pricey, this technology takes some of the guesswork out of heat styling.

You should also be mindful of water temperature when washing your hair. Hot water can strip hair of natural oils, leading to dryness and color fading. Lukewarm water is gentler on our hair and scalp.

6. Overuse of Hair Relaxers

Hair relaxers can help achieve sleek, straight styles, but overusing them can lead to serious damage. Poorly done relaxers can cause challenging damage to hair.

Some warning signs are commonly accepted but shouldn’t be ignored. Key indicators of relaxer overuse include:

• Excessive hair breakage
• Scalp irritation or burns
• Thinning hair 
• Dry, brittle texture 
• Split ends 
• Hair that won’t hold styles

It’s important to have relaxers applied by a professional stylist. You can also consider alternatives like heat styling or temporary smoothing treatments. These can provide straighter styles with less long-term damage.

If you choose to use relaxers, proper aftercare is essential. Deep condition regularly and avoid heat styling between treatments to maintain hair health.

7. Frequent Chemical Coloring

Photo Credit: @wellahair

Chemical hair coloring can be a fun way to change up your look, but overdoing it can lead to damage. We recommend spacing out color treatments to protect your hair’s health.

Excessive chemical processing can strip hair of its natural oils and proteins. This often results in dry, brittle strands that are prone to breakage.

To maintain vibrant color between sessions, use color-safe shampoos and conditioners. These products help lock in pigment and nourish your hair.

Deep conditioning treatments can also help combat dryness associated with frequent coloring. Apply a mask once a week to restore moisture and shine.

If you notice significant damage, consider taking a break from coloring. Focus on repairing your hair with protein treatments and regular trims.

Remember, healthy hair holds color better. You’ll achieve longer-lasting, more vibrant results by spacing out your chemical treatments.

Improving Your Haircare Routine

Creating an effective haircare routine is crucial for maintaining healthy, vibrant hair. Let’s look at some practices and product choices to optimize your hair’s health and appearance.

Choosing the Right Haircare Products

Selecting appropriate products is crucial for maintaining hair health. Consider your hair type, texture, and specific concerns when choosing shampoos, conditioners, and styling products.

For oily hair, go for lightweight, clarifying formulas. Dry or damaged hair benefits from moisturizing and repairing products. Look for ingredients like keratin, argan oil, or hyaluronic acid for added nourishment.

Brushes or Combs

Choosing the right tool for detangling and styling is crucial to prevent breakage and damage. For wet hair, use a wide-toothed comb (or a Tangle Teaser, see below) to gently work through tangles.

When styling dry hair, try a boar bristle brush to distribute natural oils from roots to ends, enhancing shine. For curly hair, finger-detangling or using a Denman brush can help maintain curl definition.

Avoid brushing your hair too frequently, which can lead to breakage and frizz. Brush gently, starting from the ends and working your way up to the roots.

Wet Hair Handling

Wet hair is particularly vulnerable to damage, so proper handling is essential. After washing, gently squeeze out excess water rather than rubbing your hair with a towel.

Use a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt to blot hair dry, as these materials are gentler on the hair cuticle. Avoid putting your wet hair in tight ponytails or buns, which can cause breakage.

To detangle wet hair, we LOVE Tangle Teaser The Ultimate Detangler, which has 325 two-tiered teeth that detangle damp hair with less breakage. You can also apply a leave-in conditioner to help minimize friction and make detangling easier.