Washing, drying, combing, styling, etc. There are so many stages our hair goes through every day, and the way we treat it can have a huge impact, for better or worse. In fact, some of the habits we follow without thinking much about it may be damaging our hair more than we realize.
Of course, some mistakes are already well-known (like using a straightener every day), but there are also some other, more hidden habits that many of us practice without realizing the damage they cause to our hair.
Below we list 5 daily habits that may be more harmful than they seem, and here's why you should change them as soon as possible.
1. You wash your hair too often
You've heard it before, and rightly so: washing your hair too often strips away the natural oils that keep your hair moisturized and healthy. In response, your scalp produces even more oil to compensate, and you end up with hair that gets greasy faster. If you wash your hair every day, try to switch to every other day, giving nature time to do its thing.
2. Apply conditioner to hair that is still dripping.
In professional salons, stylists always gently squeeze hair before applying conditioner or mask. The reason? If hair is too wet, excess water dilutes the product and prevents the absorption of active ingredients. So before applying conditioner, make sure your hair is damp, but not dripping.
3. Dry your hair with a regular towel.
Hair is especially fragile when it's wet, and rubbing it with a towel after washing can lead to breakage and split ends. The solution? Use a microfiber towel or a soft cotton t-shirt. Simply wrap your hair loosely and let the water soak in.
4. Comb your hair immediately after washing it.
Combing wet hair is one of the most common, but also the most damaging, habits. When wet, hair is more elastic and more prone to breakage. Use a wide-toothed comb or a special comb for wet hair, and always start from the bottom, gradually moving up.
5. Use the dryer on too high a temperature.
Blow-drying your hair quickly on high heat can be convenient when you're in a hurry, but it damages the hair structure, causes split ends, and makes your hair drier and frizzier. Professional stylists usually use medium speed/temperature and take their time with this process. Do the same!
