5 Everyday Habits That Might Be Damaging Your Hair (and How to Fix Them)
Between morning routines, school drop-offs, and that third cup of coffee that somehow turns cold before you drink it, hair care often takes the back seat. But here’s the thing, sometimes it’s not the lack of time that hurts your hair… it’s the little everyday habits you don’t even realize are doing damage. If your hair’s been feeling dry, dull, or just not “doing what it used to,” this post is for you.
Let’s talk about five everyday habits that might be damaging your hair — and the easy swaps that can bring your shine back.
1. Overwashing Your Hair or Not Washing Enough
I used to think washing every day meant clean, healthy hair. But what I didn’t know is that frequent washing actually strips away your scalp’s natural oils, which are what make hair soft, glossy, and protected. When those oils disappear, your scalp overproduces more oil to make up for it — leaving you in that frustrating cycle of greasy roots and dry ends.
On the other hand, when you go too long between washes, oil, sweat, product buildup, and dead skin start to collect on your scalp. That buildup can clog your hair follicles, making it harder for new, healthy strands to grow. It can even cause itchiness, dandruff, or that “heavy” feeling where your roots seem flat and greasy no matter what you do.
Try to find a balance, some hair types might need to be washed everyday while others may only need to be washed once a week. Find what works for you.
How to fix it:
Try washing your hair every 2–3 days instead of daily.
Use a sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoo that gently cleanses without drying out your strands.
My favorites:
2. Too Much Heat, Not Enough Protection
Between blow-drying after a rushed shower and last-minute touch-ups with a flat iron, heat damage sneaks up fast. High heat literally breaks down the proteins in your hair and roughens the cuticle — goodbye shine, hello frizz.
Finding the correct type of heat protection is also essential, don't use spray heat protectors that make your hair damp if you're going to use a flat iron, you're just frying your hair!
How to fix it:
Always apply a heat protectant spray or serum before using any hot tools.
Lower the temperature setting — you don’t need it on high for smooth results.
Embrace heatless styles a few times a week (think braids, buns, or silk wraps). Your future self — and your hair — will thank you.
My favorites:
3 . Rough Brushing (Especially on Wet Hair)
I used to grab my brush straight out of the shower and go to town. Big mistake. Wet hair is more elastic, which means it stretches and breaks easily when brushed too roughly. If you’re seeing extra strands in your brush, this could be why.
How to fix it:
Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush designed for wet hair.
Start at the ends and gently work your way up.
Use a leave-in conditioner or detangler to make brushing smoother and prevent breakage.
My favorites:
4. Sleeping on Cotton Pillowcases
This one surprised me the most. Cotton pillowcases actually absorb moisture from your hair while you sleep and cause friction that leads to tangles, frizz, and even breakage. If you wake up with tangled hair or frizz that feels impossible to tame, this could be the culprit.
How to fix it:
Switch to a silk or satin pillowcase your hair will glide instead of snag.
Try protective hairstyles at night like loose braids or a silk bonnet. You’ll wake up with smoother, softer hair — no flat iron needed.
This is where you can find my favorite satin bonnet that I use every night.
5. Ignoring Your Scalp
We talk a lot about masks, oils, and treatments, but we forget about the most important part of hair care, the scalp. When it’s dry, irritated, or full of buildup, it can actually slow growth and make your hair look dull.
How to fix it:
Exfoliate your scalp once a week with a gentle scalp scrub or clarifying shampoo.
Spend a few minutes massaging your scalp, it increases blood flow and promotes growth.
Avoid applying heavy products to your roots. Healthy scalp = healthy, shiny hair.
My favorites:
Final Thoughts
Healthy hair starts with healthy habits you don’t need a fancy routine to have beautiful, shiny hair just a few mindful changes in your day-to-day habits. When you give your hair a little more love (and a little less heat, tugging, and overwashing), you’ll start to notice the difference — smoother texture, more shine, and fewer bad hair days.
Remember real results come from consistency, not perfection.
Quick Recap:
1. Don’t overwash your hair.
2. Always use heat protectant.
3. Be gentle when brushing.
4. Sleep on silk or satin.
5. Don’t forget your scalp care.
