There are a number of mistakes that people make when washing their hair. I have seen the consequences firsthand, and they can range from merely annoying to truly disastrous.
You use the same shampoo all year, even though the weather is different.
Shampoo is like any other major purchase in your life; you get it home, unpack it, and realize that, uh oh, you've made a big mistake. Sure, it may have seemed like the right choice at the time (“I'm having a bad hair day! I need to try something new!”), but once you find out that seasonal shampoo isn't as versatile as it claims to be… We HIGHLY recommend the OLAPLEX range!
The weather outside is frightful—but winter's harsh air can do a number on your hair and scalp. Winter shampoos are specially formulated to deal with the dryness caused by cold weather and indoor heating systems, which often lead to dandruff and flaking. While summer shampoos focus on moisturizing and protecting your scalp from sun damage. No matter what season we're in, we want our hair to look its best!
You apply your conditioner before your shampoo.
If you’re one of the many women who have an aversion to shampoo or simply doesn’t see the point in using it, I don’t blame you. Shampoo can strip your hair of essential oils and moisture. However, if you still want to use conditioner, you must use a good clarifying shampoo at least once a week to remove product build-up and excess oil on your scalp.
Apply conditioner liberally from midshaft to ends only after shampooing your hair with a clarifying shampoo or moisturizing shampoo depending on the texture or condition of your hair. Conditioners soften, moisturize and detangle strands. It should never be applied to the scalp because it contains heavier ingredients than shampoos do. Leave it on for about five minutes before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water.
You don't rinse out the conditioner properly.
You might think that a little extra product will make your hair shinier, but as it turns out, conditioner can actually do more harm than good if left to dry on your hair. When you shampoo and condition your hair, the natural oils in your scalp—which help keep hair healthy—are washed out. Conditioner helps protect against this by coating each strand with a thin film of lubricating oil, which is why it's applied mainly to the ends of the hair—the wispy tips can get pretty dry! But if too much conditioner is left in your newly-washed hair when it dries, it'll weigh down and dull the look of your locks.
This is easy to avoid: after applying conditioner all over (but especially on the ends), rinse thoroughly with cold water before getting out of the shower. Your scalp will thank you for not blocking those precious natural oils from doing their job!
You put too much shampoo in your hair.
One of the most common mistakes people make when washing their hair is using too much shampoo. Using too much shampoo will not only waste your money, but it can also strip your hair of its natural oils and leave your hair feeling dry and frizzy. To avoid this, use a palmful of shampoo or less each time you wash your hair. If you have finer hair that gets oily quickly, you may need even less than a palmful of shampoo. On the other hand, if you have thicker or coarser hair, you may need more than a palmful of shampoo to get all the dirt out every time you wash your hair. In general though, it’s better to start with a small amount then add more if needed because once you put too much in your hair it’s hard to take away.
The most common mistake is over-washing – or over-shampooing – your hair. When you wash your hair too often, your scalp produces more oil than normal to compensate for the increased loss of natural oils. Eventually, this can lead to dandruff, which requires a whole new set of products and techniques for treating it properly. Not only that, but you deprive yourself of vital oils that help keep your hair healthy and looking its best. In order to avoid this problem, you should follow these guidelines: if your hair is oily, wash it every day; if it's normal, every other day; and if it's dry or damaged from heat styling or bleaching, then either use dry shampoo in between washes or skip washing it altogether (unless you're getting sweaty).
One way to combat damage from frequent shampooing is by using a deep conditioning mask one day per week in place of regular shampooing. The mask will help repair any damage caused by heavy styling products as well as restoring moisture to your scalp and strands if they have become dehydrated due to frequent washing with harsh shampoos or conditioners.
You don't brush your hair before washing it.
While it may seem like a good idea to brush your hair before you wash it, the tangles are actually worse once you hop out of the shower. When hair is wet, it becomes weaker and can easily snap. A wide-toothed comb or a brush with soft bristles is best for detangling hair after shampooing. If you have long hair, flip your head upside down while brushing to ensure you are getting all the tangles out at the roots.
You brush wet hair.
If you wait to brush or comb your hair until after it's wet, you're putting yourself at risk for breakage. When the hair follicle is moist and elastic, it is more likely to snap. You should also make sure that when you do brush your hair, you use a wide-toothed comb or brush instead of a fine-toothed one.
Avoid starting from the scalp and working your way through the ends of your hair. Instead, start at the bottom and work up toward the roots when brushing wet hair. As a general rule, avoid pulling on knots while they're wet because this can cause serious damage that will require cutting off large sections of your hair later in order to repair.
