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Liverpool Echo

Health

Beth Ure

Most common hair-washing mistakes and how it's damaging your hair

Nicole Petty Oil TikTok

These are the most common hair-washing mistakes which could be damaging your hair.

Hair washing is a hot topic on social media as users love to share hacks and advice on ways to care for your hair, with #hairwashingtips and #hairwash having 11.2 million and 837.9 million views on TikTok, respectively. With so much advice available online, and some of it contradicting other posts, it's hard to know who to trust.

Nicole Petty, Hair Expert at Milk + Blush, has shared the most common hair-washing mistakes she sees, and also gives her top tips on what to do instead, so you can get the healthiest hair for you. She said the most common mistakes include washing tangled hair, overwashing your hair, and rinsing with hot water.

Washing tangled hair

Your hair is at it's most fragile when it's wet, because water naturally weakens the protein bond forming the hair shaft. This means trying to de-tangle your hair mid-wash can cause breakage, split ends and excessive hair fallout, so it's best to brush or comb your hair out before you wash it.

Nicole said: "Start by gently brushing out the bottom third of your hair and gradually work your way up the scalp in sections. Not only will this make washing and detangling your hair a far less painful experience, but it will also prevent harsh pulling on the roots that can often cause fallout and damage."

Skipping shampoo

The 'No-Poo' method has gained a lot of attention on TikTok, as skipping using shampoo can work for dry or curly hair types. However, for most people shampoo is an essential step in your haircare regime.

Nicole said: "Like the skin on your body and face, your scalp can experience product and oil build-up from styling and general day-to-day living, so it’s important to cleanse, exfoliate, and rehydrate it to prevent scalp flaking and hair loss caused by an unhealthy scalp. To ace your shampooing, start by wetting your hair thoroughly and rinsing out the excess water.

"Pour about a 50p coin-sized amount of shampoo into your palm and add a splash of water before rubbing the mixture between your hands to create a lather. Then, apply the shampoo to the scalp and massage it in for one to three minutes, avoiding the mids and ends of your hair.

"To avoid damaging the scalp’s surface, don't use your nails. Instead, use the tips of your fingers to work the shampoo in gently to avoid tangling your hair. Finally, spend at least one minute rinsing your hair to remove all the shampoo residue and eliminate the chances of product build-up."

Using the wrong products

A trip down the haircare aisle in the pharmacy will tell you there are a lot of options for you to choose to from. It can be overwhelming for people to pick out which brands and ingredients will work the best for them, but all it takes is knowing your hair type.

Nicole said: "Dry hair benefits from nourishing oils such as coconut, argan and jojoba, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants and can penetrate deep into the hair to nourish and hydrate it. Meanwhile, oily hair can benefit from rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint oil as they help regulate oil production, decongest the scalp, and balance pH.

"Particularly damaged hair will benefit from bond-building products to help repair weak strands. Curly hair can see great results from castor oil and glycerine-based products, which act as natural humectants which help retain moisture by preventing water loss."

Rinsing with hot water

Hot water can be beneficial in helping your hair and scalp to absorb products, but it can also strip your hair of its natural oils, which causes dryness and excessive oil production to compensate for a dehydrated scalp. This can cause scalp flaking and itchiness, resulting in strands feeling dry and brittle and leading to breakage.

Nicole said: "Instead [of using hot water], rinse your hair with lukewarm water to preserve the natural oils in your hair and retain moisture. Aim to wash your hair in water no warmer than 38 degrees Celsius to minimise dandruff and help make your hair look shinier, as cooler water helps to seal the hair cuticle and lock in moisture."

Overwashing your hair

Everyone's hair is different, and how often you need to wash your hair depends on your hair type, as well as your lifestyle. However, most of us are guilty of washing our hair a little too often.

Nicole said: "Excessive washing can strip the natural oils and dry your locks out, leaving it prone to breakage and thinning, dulling the natural shine and increasing oil secretion to recoup lost moisture and stripping hair colour faster. As a general rule, you should avoid washing your hair more than 2-3 times per week.

"Hair that becomes oily quickly may indicate that you’re overwashing or over-stripping the hair. If this is the case, try training your hair by using dry shampoo to increase the longevity of time between washes and avoid using overly stripping ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and alcohol."

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