Everyday habits that are bad for our hair

We all pick up bad habits at some point in our lives - and we often don't even realize they are having a negative impact on us. When it comes to our hair, it's very easy to fall into this trap.

How we treat our hair can often be the cause of many hair-related problems. But just because you've always done it that way doesn't mean you have to keep doing it. Whether you suffer from breakage, split ends, or faded color, we'll take a look at which aspects of your daily hair care routine might be having a damaging effect on your crowning glory!

Washing your hair

When it comes to washing your hair, how much is too much? Or are you worried that you aren't washing it enough? Hairdressers are often asked, "is it bad to wash your hair every day?", and the answer is usually yes. Instead of wondering how often you should wash it, think about how often your hair actually needs to be washed. When washing, it is very important to use the right hair shampoo; it matters what you put on your hair, and the more natural it is, the better!

Is it bad not to wash your hair?

Generally, we don't wash anything unless it's dirty, and the same rule applies to your hair.

If your hair is greasy and feels unclean, then it's probably time to shower. Some people produce enough oil that they need to wash their hair daily, but not many. People with straight hair often find they need to wash it more frequently than their curly-haired friends because it gets coated in sebum more easily. Afro hair is the type that requires the least amount of washing, as it is more sensitive to damage caused by harsh shampoos. Build-up in hair can come from dust, sweat, pollen, and hair styling products, and these need to be washed out if you know it's been a problem.

Is it bad to wash your hair at night?

You should also think about when you wash your hair. Hair is more easily damaged when it is wet, so washing your hair at night and going to sleep with wet hair means that it can get tangled and suffer significant breakage.

Is it bad to wash your hair twice a day?

It is not advisable to wash your hair too often, as shampoo strips the hair of vital oils, causing it to dry out and damaging the skin.

If you do wash your hair, try to concentrate the shampoo on the roots, as the ends will also get clean as the shampoo runs down the length of the hair.

Therefore, daily hair washing is often excessive, and washing twice a day is unnecessary unless your hair is exceptionally dirty.

Styling techniques

We subject our hair to a lot when styling it, and not everything is good for it. You might ask, for example, is backcombing bad for your hair?

Well, yes, the truth is that backcombing can damage your hair, as it goes against the direction of the cuticle cells, which leads to damage.

Certain hair ties are also not your best friend, as hair ties with little stretch or metal clasps can cause breakage in the hair, leading to split ends. And while Ariana Grande might wear a ponytail every time we see her, if you pull your hair back too tightly, it causes tension on the scalp, which can lead to a type of hair loss.

Heat treatments

We have all used some kind of heat-based styling tool at some point. Sometimes we straighten it, sometimes we curl it, and most often we blow-dry our hair.

Did you know, however, that this heat dries out your hair and causes all sorts of damage? Obviously, the best advice is to avoid the direct application of heat to the hair, but we are aware that this is not actually always practical!

Therefore, try to minimize heat treatments and apply a heat protectant product to your hair first. If you blow-dry your hair, it is worth lowering the temperature a little, and be sure not to keep the hairdryer in one place for too long; keep it moving constantly to avoid intense heat buildup in one area. The best way to care for your hair varies slightly depending on your hair type, but there are some bad habits we are all guilty of that can jeopardize the health of our hair. Use oil as a "finish" to keep it shiny and healthy!

If you understand how to best care for your hair, its condition will gradually improve, and breakage will be minimized.

Sources:

https://hellogiggles.com/hair/wash-hair-night-scary-news

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-often-should-you-wash-your-hair#overwashing

https://thebeautybrains.com/2008/02/is-backcombing-bad-for-your-hair/

https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/beauty/hair/8-bad-hair-habits-to-break-44345 www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-a/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3475231/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/pantothenic-acid

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2895281/

Daily hair washing habits that are bad for our hair