We all crave shiny, lush, beautiful hair. Many of the things we do to our hair can damage it, including excessive heat and at-home chemical treatments. There are also bad habits we unknowingly perform on a regular basis. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest mistakes you can make and why you should stop doing them when it comes to styling and caring for your hair.

Stop Washing Your Hair Every Day

It may be tempting to keep your hair squeaky clean, but you’re doing more harm than good. When you shampoo daily, you’re stripping your hair and scalp of their natural oils. These oils are responsible for conditioning, balancing, and keeping your hair naturally shiny. When you eliminate the oil too frequently, your oil production goes into overdrive. Instead of maintaining that clean feeling, your hair will instead become greasy more quickly. Try dry shampoo to help extend that clean feeling between washes.

Cleaning Your Brushes

Your favorite hairbrushes and combs come in contact daily with oil, sweat, dead skin cells, and product residue. At least twice a month, it’s a good idea to remove the trapped hair and give them a hot bath using a small amount of baking soda and dish soap. Doing so will help keep scalp irritations at bay and keep your hair shiny and clean. 

Working Your Way Up When Brushing

A good hair brushing technique involves starting at your ends (to nix tangles) and working your way up, you definitely don’t want to skip the rest of your hair. In fact, it’s a good idea to brush up near the scalp to help distribute its natural oils. By doing this, you prevent the oil from sitting on the scalp and around your hairline, and help move it down the hair shaft. This lubricates and conditions your hair, boosting elasticity and leaving it full of healthy-looking shine. It may seem the opposite of what you thought…but once done brushing, fluff it up and see how great it looks! We recommend 100 strokes – an added benefit is that you can easily rid yourself of bedhead. 

Applying Styling Products to Your Lengths & Ends

With the exception of thickening and plumping products (i.e.: mousse, root boosters, volume powders & dry shampoo), steer clear of your roots. Products like blowout balms, shine serums, and texture sprays have a tendency to make your roots feel dirty or greasy and weigh down your ‘do. To avoid this, only apply them to your lengths and ends.

Use a Thermal Protectant

One of the most important things you can do to care for your hair is to use a thermal protectant before any type of heat styling. These products are designed to shield your hair from high temperatures. From creams to sprays, these products are fast and easy to apply and really make a difference in preserving the health of your hair.

Take a Hair Supplement

If you’re committed to improving the overall health and appearance of your hair and your efforts just don’t seem to be working, it may be time to add a hair supplement. Many of us do not get all of the necessary nutrients we need from our diet, so supplementation is the next best thing. It’s a good idea to take a daily multivitamin, in addition to a hair-supporting supplement, such as Biotin, and Cod liver oil!

Protect Your Hair From the Sun

Most of us shield our skin when we go out in the sun, but few people extend that protection to their hair. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage our hair, causing it to dry out, become brittle, and our color to fade. This can easily be avoided by wearing a hat or by using hair care products that contain UV filters and antioxidant-rich oils. We must also remember the scalp, the first thing the sun hits! I have found suspicious spots on clients that turned out to be precancerous… Another reason to be consistent with your favorite stylist so we can let you know if we see something you can’t, month to month! Another reason we prefer green organic-based styling products in our salon and at home! Ask your stylist for a recommendation that will improve your hair and scalp health, easier than a new diet!

Stop Using Styling Tools On Wet Hair

Know that sizzling sound wet hair makes when it comes in contact with your wands and flat irons? That means it’s burning. Your hair should always be dry and prepped with heat protectant when you take any tool to it. Blow drying or letting it air dry completely before styling will help protect your hair from excessive heat damage. The same is true for pre-styling products…after you spray them on, give them a minute or two to dry down before you style.

Ask your Oasis Master Stylist for more tips on how to maintain your beautiful mane.

Click here to schedule an appointment online or call 727-785-7438 for a consultation. An Oasis Master Stylist will walk you through the process and provide you with the information you need to achieve the look you desire.