The 21 Worst Things You Can Do to Your Hair

Posted by Stephanie Lee on April 29, 2015, Updated on July 17, 2018

Every woman wants a shiny mane, but some of our everyday bad habits are preventing us from getting to our healthy hair goals. The health and strength of our hair has a lot to do with how we take care of ourselves, both on the inside and the outside. Proper nutrients on your hair and in your diet are the foundations of luscious locks.

Here are 21 worst things you might be doing to your hair that are hurting your locks and preventing you from reaching Kate Middleton-esque hair perfection.

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    Brushing from the roots

    Is brushing hair too much bad? Too little? It can be confusing but proper brushing technique can prevent breakage and keep your locks shiny and gorgeous. Don’t start brushing from your roots, but rather start at the ends. With each stroke of the brush, begin a little higher until you’re brushing your hair from the roots to your tips. This way, your hair won't get stuck mid-stroke and you avoid yanking on your hair and abusing your scalp.
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    Using the same shampoo after your hair changes

    If you’ve changed your hair, change your shampoo too! Newly dyed or permed hair will last longer and look healthier with the proper shampoo and conditioner.

    RELATED: 20 things you should never buy at the drugstore.
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    Tying up your hair too tightly

    Ponytails are quick and easy fixes for a bad hair day, but tying up your hair tightly and frequently can pull at your scalp and damage your roots. Also, using thin, tight hair ties can cause breakage and irritation if the hair is bound too tightly. Pick hair ties that are thick and covered with fabric. The worst is nylon. If you really need to get your hair out of your face, use hair clips or bobby pins instead.
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    Using dirty brushes

    Unclean styling tools are filled with germs, dead skin, and other miscellaneous residue—none of which you want in your hair. Clean them once a month by soaking your brushes and combs in some baking soda and water for one minute and let them air dry before use.
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    Forgetting to eat breakfast

    Sometimes it’s hard to find time to grab a bite to eat in the morning, but when you don’t eat breakfast your body starts the day running on fumes and your hair does not get enough nutrients to keep it healthy and strong. The vitamins and minerals that your body has access to in the morning goes to more important bodily functions before making its way up to your hair. Skipping breakfast can lead to shedding and slower growth, so grab a bite before work!

    You might also like: dramatic celebrity hair colour transformations to inspire a new you.
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    Not eating enough protein

    Hair is made up of the protein keratin. So if you aren’t consuming enough protein in your diet, your body can’t grow healthy hair. For luscious locks, be sure to incorporate some fish, nuts, beans or chicken into your diet.
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    Styling wet hair

    Wet hair is a lot more fragile than dry hair, so it’s better to comb and style when it's dry. If you need to detangle your hair when it’s wet, use a wide-toothed comb and proper brushing technique to protect your hair from breakage.
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    Using cotton pillowcases

    Sure, cotton is soft and durable, but when you rub your hair against it the friction can cause frizz and split-ends. Opt for satin or silk pillowcases instead for healthier hair.
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    Taking hot showers

    Hot showers feel great, especially when the weather is cool, but it’s not good for the health of your hair. The steamy spray washes the natural oils from your head, which can cause dandruff and cause your scalp to overproduce oil. Showering too often can also lead to greasier hair.
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    Using too many hair products at once

    It’s easy to get caught up in the myriad of hair products on the market, but too many sprays and creams will weigh down your hair, make it oily, or prevent moisture from reaching the centre of the hair shaft. Heat protectors, dry shampoo, and shine serum are necessary products, especially if you style your hair every day, but you should use a “less is more” philosophy when deciding how many products to use at once.

    RELATED: 20 beauty products under $10 that are worth every penny.
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    Bleaching your hair

    Sometimes brunettes want to have as much fun as blondes, but bleaching your hair is not healthy for your tresses. Bleach infuses your hair’s cuticles with chemicals, which can really damage your strands, making them brittle and dry.
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    Overtreating your hair

    Constant colouring, relaxing and perming also exposes your hair to a lot of chemicals. This is never good for any part of your body, but it can lead to weaker, drier hair. Remember to always tell your hairdresser about any previous treatments so that they can pick the best treatments for your hair.
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    Roughly towel drying your hair

    When your hair is wet, it is the weakest and most vulnerable to damage. Try not to towel dry your hair too violently. The friction could cause breakage and frizz. Be gentle!
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    Overheating your hair

    Everyone wants to get their hair dry as quickly as possible, but turning your blow dryer up to high and blow drying and/or straightening your hair every day dehydrates your hair, leaving it dull and prone to damage. Try drying your hair every other time you wash it, and only using heated styling tools on the medium setting.

    For more hair inspiration, see Kate Middleton's 25 best hair looks ever.
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    Skipping heat protection

    Preventing damage is so much easier than fixing it, so protect your hair when you style it! Heat is very damaging to your hair, especially if you use hot styling tools every day. Use a protecting spray every time you style with heat to prevent dehydration and breakage.
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    Itching your head

    Problems with the scalp are mostly hidden, so they are easy to avoid. But if you have an itchy scalp, don’t ignore it! Itching your head can lead to scarring on your scalp, which can damage your roots and cause your hair to fall out! So whether it’s a habit or it’s dryness, address the problem so that your scalp stays healthy.
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    Jumping in the pool with dry hair

    Hair absorbs chlorine, which can damage your locks and lead to brittle strands. So before diving into the water, protect your hair! Just wet your hair with tap water before taking a plunge, or spray your hair with a silicone-based protector. This will seal the cuticles in your hair before you get into the water.
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    Smoking

    When you think about quitting smoking, the state of your hair is not the most important factor, but smoking is a major cause of dull, brittle hair, and can also speed up greying! When you smoke, the chemicals from the fumes coat your hair, clinging to the strands and infusing your hair with the harmful chemicals.
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    Too much sun

    With those sunny beach days approaching, it’s time to think about protecting your hair from the sun just like you protect your skin. If you’re going to be outside in the sunshine for long periods of time, too much sun can damage and dehydrate your locks. Try using a deep conditioning treatment once a week or covering your head with a hat or scarf to keep your hair happy and healthy.
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    Avoiding the hairdresser

    When you’re trying to grow out your hair, the last thing you want to do is go to the hairdresser. But if you have split-ends, the longer the splits exist, the farther up your hair shaft the split travels. Avoid damaged ends by getting a trim every two months for fuller, healthier hair.

    Here's how getting a trim can also help you detox your beauty routine in 2018.
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    Not being mindful of your purse

    On xovain.com, a woman shared that a trip to her hairdresser revealed that her hair thinning on one side was caused directly from her overstuffed purse. Ladies, beware of your purse strap pulling on your strands as you sling it over your shoulder - if you're not careful to move your hair out of the way, the tugging will weaken the follicles and cause hair breakage!
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