When it comes to maintaining a well-groomed head of hair, there are some common mistakes that are damaging your hair.

We all have different types of hair, from colour to texture. What works for one might not work for another. It can be a case of trial and error to see what works for you.

But there are some things that everyone should avoid to ensure you have more good hair days.

Mistakes That Are Damaging Your Hair

Here is a list of things you could be doing to your hair that is causing more harm than good to your hair.

1) Over brushing your hair

I know I brush my hair more than is required. I also like the feeling of someone else brushing my hair for me, so will rarely pass up that opportunity. However, the friction caused by the hairbrush or comb is damaging your hair. You do need to brush it to spread the natural oils down each strand but not more than necessary.

Too much brushing can lead to hair loss as well as breakage.

2) Shampooing daily

Absolutely no one needs to wash their hair every single day. At worst every other day is a better choice however if you can leave it til the third day this will be certainly better for your hair.

If you live in a highly polluted area you will find your hair does get dirtier quickly. The solution for this is dry shampoo in between washes to extend the gap between washing. Alternatively, try having it every other day as a hair-up style, this will distract from the feeling of having dirty hair.

3) Not using conditioner

Using a conditioner every time you wash your hair is essential to soften the hair. It also helps balance the oils which get stripped out during the shampooing stage.

If you find a conditioner leaves your hair too soft and fly away, try reverse washing your hair. Condition is first and then shampoo it, this will make it more manageable.

4) Blow drying dripping wet hair

In an ideal world, you would just be able to leave your hair to air dry naturally. This isn’t practical for most of us and can often make hair a bit unruly when styling after.

Spend as much time as you can with your hair either in a microfibre or cotton towel to absorb the moisture after hair washing. Do not ever rub your hair dry with said towel as this will cause breakages as hair is not designed to be manhandled in this manner. Even just half an hour with your hair air drying or in a towel before the blow dry is much better for your hair. You also need to make sure you are using an efficient hair dryer, mdlondon is the home of award winning hair tools. The BLOW hair dryer has a 2 directional nozzle which gives you greater control when styling.

5) Using the wrong brush

There are so many hair brushes to choose from it might not be obvious which brush you should be using on your hair. As I previously said what works for one won’t necessarily work for someone else, as hair type dictates how you should be brushing it.

This can be through trial and error but do some research before buying. If you have colour treated hair you will find it hard to run a brush through it when wet, so use a Wet Brush for example. Try using a wide tooth comb on your hair so it doesn’t snag as often and cause knots.

As a general rule, the more hair you have the bigger the brush you require. This avoids over brushing and tangling.

6) Using harsh chemicals

You should always be aware of the ingredients you are using in both your hair care and styling products. Living Proof is a great example of an award winning hair care product which are silicone free.

Try and avoid silicone based products as this leaves a build up on your hair, and the purpose of the silicone is to just add shine. Also, try and avoid alcohol-based products as they have a drying quality which causes rough, brittle and split hair ends. This is especially for those who already have colour treated or curly hair, avoid anything alcohol based on your hair.

Just because a brand is popular doesn’t means it’s a good option if you are concerned about the quality of your hair. Make sure to always give the ingredients list a read before buying anything you’re influenced to buy.

If you are looking to try something new, go to a natural brand like The Body Shop and try their products out to see if they suit you. I have a promotional discount code for The Body Shop you can use to get 20% off use DIARY20.

7) Ignoring your scalp

To grow healthy hair you need a healthy scalp as this is where the hair is growing from.

Ensuring you massage your scalp when shampooing your hair helps stimulate blood flow to the area. There are a number of scalp massage tools you could also use if you really want to take it to the extreme. Equally, make sure you wash off your shampoo thoroughly to make sure you do not get product buildup on your scalp too.

8) Ignoring dandruff

Dandruff does happen to probably everyone at some stage. Treating dandruff is the answer not just masking it with another potential problem.

It is a scalp disease which is typically treated with a specialist shampoo containing salicylic acid and zinc. You can go back to using your regular shampoo once you have noticed the dandruff has gone, but always be aware that it could reappear again at some point.

9) Wrong water temperature

Water is a crucial part of hair washing and making sure you are using the right temperature is equally as important.

While shampooing your hair you need to use warm water. The warm water opens the pores on your hair allowing you to cleanse away the dirt and extra products stuck to your hair and your scalp.

When conditioning your hair you should use cold water as the cold water closes the pores and seals in the moisture which will give you the shine.

10) Always having your hair tied up

For some people, their career dictates that their hair needs to be tied up, which if this is the case make sure you use a silk scrunchie if possible. Keep away from elastic bands which will damage your hair, try seamless bands if you need something small and discreet.

Try and move your pony or bun around do not constantly repeat in the same position. This can cause bald patches to appear in areas of stress which is where your band pulls your hair together.

Wearing your hair down will mean your hair goes under less stress and is less likely to snap off and get damaged.

11) Not drinking enough water

Water makes up 25% of a single strand of hair. By not drinking enough water you deprive your hair of what it needs to survive and thrive. It has been proven that water is a key ingredient that contributes to your hair growth.

You should always aim to drink 2 litres of water a day and this is for general health as well as hair health. This is one of the most common mistakes that are damaging your hair daily.

12) Not eating enough protein

Hair follicles are mostly made up of protein and a lack of protein in your diet can cause hair loss.

If you struggle with getting enough protein in your diet there are Biotin supplements you can take. Biotin is essential for the production of a hair protein called keratin, which is why you will commonly find Biotin being sold as a hair supplement.

13) Using too much heat to style your hair

While heat is essential to manipulate hair into a specific style, it is important not to use excessive amounts too frequently.

Daily use of hair straighteners can see a dramatic amount of hair breakage. This is commonly around the front of your face as this is the area you tend to focus more time on.

Always use a heat protection spray or treatment for applying any heat to your hair to minimise damage.

These common mistakes that are damaging your hair, most of us are guilty of. You can replace these mistakes with some new good habits.

If you are concerned that your hair isn’t growing try looking at your products and your diet. If you are concerned that you have an excessive amount of breakage look at how you treat your hair.

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