1. Using Scented and Chemical Shampoo
Many shampoos contain sulfates, a chemical ingredient that gives them their lather. Haircare and hair styling products can also be infused with toxic nasties like parabens, silicones, alcohol, and synthetic fragrances to make them smell nice, act as a preservative, and make hair smoother. Applying chemicals to the hair can strip it of its natural oils leading to dryness, breakage, shedding, and speeding up graying. They also damage the scalp and are absorbed into the skin causing inflammation and accelerating aging. Choose clean, organic, plant-based sulfate-free shampoo.
2. Over Shampooing
You don’t need to wash your hair every day in fact shampooing too often strips it of its natural oils, leading to dry, brittle locks and breakage. When hair is dehydrated it can also send oil production into overdrive creating greasy, limp, lifestyle hair.
3. Under and Over Conditioning
You do need to condition your hair every time you wash it regardless of your hair type (apply it to the ends at least). Not using conditioners can leave hair dry and make it more susceptible to frizz and split ends. Even if you have oily hair skipping conditioner can make the hair produce even more oil. Beware also of applying too much conditioner or using leave-in conditioner treatments as these can make hair greasy and limp.
4. Not Rinsing Properly
You need to thoroughly rinse out shampoo and conditioner as the residue left on the hair and scalp can lead to a buildup of debris, scalp irritation, and limp weakened strands. To maintain the health of your hair wash it in lukewarm water (never hot as it’s damaging) and finish with a few cold rinses to seal the cuticles and boost shine.
5. Overusing Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo can be a godsend between washes and to refresh your blowout or style but take it easy. Excess use of dry shampoo can lead to debris buildup, clogged hair follicles, oily hair, and a dry flaky scalp all of which can impede hair growth and cause it to shed.
6. Buying the Wrong Products for Your Hair Type
Always choose shampoo, conditioner, and styling products suited to your hair type. If you don’t it can change the texture of your hair, weaken the strands, and make it more susceptible to damage and loss.
7. Ignoring Product Buildup
Hair absorbs dirt, oil, and pollution along with the chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and preservatives in our shampoo and haircare products. This is why shampooing the hair regularly (but not too often) is important to cleanse the scalp and strands and thoroughly remove any buildup that can cause irritation make hair dry or oil and weaken strands over time. It is also worth doing a heavy-duty cleanse once a week with a detoxifying shampoo.
8. Not Using Heat Protection
Heat styling tools like blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons can damage the hair and make it dry, brittle, and riddled with split ends. After shampooing and conditioning hair, always apply a heat protection spray to maintain the health and condition of strands and prevent premature loss and grays.
9. Choosing Cheap Shampoo and Conditioner
When it comes to shampoo and hair care you get what you pay for. Cheap shampoos and styling products are indications they are filled with artificial and harsh chemical ingredients and are an express ticket to long-term damage, loss, and graying.
10. Overloading on Hair Styling Products
Take it easy on the hair styling. Again always use products for your specific hair type and avoid overusing gels, mousses, and hair sprays as this will lead to a buildup of residue making hair greasy, limp and more prone to breakage and hair loss.
11. Neglecting Scalp Shampoo
A healthy scalp equals healthy hair so add a cleansing hydrating scalp shampoo to your beauty routine and use it weekly. Neglecting scalp health can lead to dehydration, dandruff, and inflammation which disrupts hair growth triggering shedding and loss of pigment which turns it gray.
12. Ignoring Product Instructions
Don’t wing it when it comes to your hair. Not following recommended instructions for use, not checking the labels for chemicals, and overuse or misuse of products can speed up damage, loss, and graying.
13. Applying Hair Oil
Thick hair oils can overload the hair follicles and scalp causing irritation and sensitivity which can trigger hair damage, aging and loss. Excess oil can also upset the hair and scalp’s natural pH balance, causing buildup and turning it oily, greasy and limp.
14. Beware Your Brush and Accessories
Anything that stretches the strands or causes tension or friction can damage the hair’s follicles slowing down healthy growth and accelerating aging and gray hair. Use a gentle boar bristle hair brush and avoid tight elastic bands, headbands and too many hair accessories. It’s also important to brush hair when dry as wet hair is more fragile and prone to breakages.
15. Keep Up Your Maintenance
In addition to using clean, chemical-free shampoo and conditioner and always using the right haircare and styling products for your hair type keep up your maintenance. The best thing you can do to maintain the health and condition of your hair and ward off premature hair loss and going gray faster is have regularly trims every 6-8 weeks.