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You may not realize it, but small daily bad habits could be the reason you're always having a bad hair day.
We've all been guilty of these things: going to bed with wet hair, using a flat iron on too high heat, and adding endless dry shampoo to refresh our look when we think we don't have time to shower. But these little things add up, and they're actually causing damage to your precious strands!
We consulted hair pros Pooja Shah and Robert Reynolds, stylists at BENJAMIN Salon, on the everyday habits that are actually wrecking your hair and how you can swap them for habits that will help create a healthy scalp, and long, frizz-free hair.
Why Going to Bed With Wet Hair Is a Bad Hair Habit
Bad news for night shower people: going to bed with wet hair can seriously mess with your scalp and your hair day. According to our pros, hair is at its most fragile when it’s wet, and a damp scalp can create the perfect environment for irritation.
“It’s not ideal to sleep with wet hair. A damp scalp can create an environment that leads to irritation, and hair is more fragile when it’s wet," said Reynolds. "Never tie your hair up when it’s wet. As hair dries, it contracts, and under tension it can snap – especially around the hairline"
If you need to keep hair contained, Reynolds suggests opting for loose braids or twists, which distribute tension more evenly and reduce breakage.
And if air-drying overnight is unavoidable, Shah recommends combing hair through, applying a leave-in conditioner, and sleeping on a silk pillowcase to help minimize friction and damage.
INFIIXSO Silk Pillow Cases 2 Pack
Silk pillowcases may be able to help hair and skin retain moisture, soften the look of fine lines and reduce static caused by sleep friction. This two-pack comes in a ton of color options, plus it's on sale now!
VIRTUE Strength and Shield Leave-In Conditioner
This multitasking mist is designed to soften and smooth hair. Its ingredients reinforce the hair cuticle, restoring strength and protecting strands from heat (up to 450°F), UV rays, and pollution. Plus, it smells really, really good.
Heat Styling Mistakes That Are Wrecking Your Hair
If you use a hair dryer, flat iron, or curling iron every day, you might be frying your hair.
"One of the biggest issues is leaving heat on the hair for too long," Reynolds said.
To minimize damage, protection, temperature control, and the right hair tools are key. "It’s essential to always use a heat protectant," said Shah. "I also recommend turning the heat down on curling irons, flat irons, and blow-dryers to help protect the hair.”
We've got a top-rated air styler below, plus a heat protectant that you're going to want to add to cart!
T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler Blowout Kit
The Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler Blowout Kit includes all the attachments you need for long-lasting blowout curls and has a drying concentrator that softens airflow for rapid drying that still protects the moisture in your tresses.
COLOR WOW Speed Dry Blow Dry Spray
COLOR WOW Speed Dry uses silk and cashmere amino acids to help strengthen hair while you style, so you get less heat, less time, and great results. Its shrink-wrap tech pushes out water without drying hair out, cutting blow-dry or air-dry time by 30% or more.
Dry Shampoo Buildup Is a Major Hair Mistake
Dry shampoo can be a lifesaver between wash days, but relying on it too heavily can lead to serious buildup on the scalp. Both stylists agree that double shampooing can be necessary to fully remove residue—especially if you’re using dry shampoo after workouts or stretching washes throughout the week.
"Using a quality shampoo is key. I love Rahua’s Aloe Shampoo for its soft, clean feel. The combination of witch hazel and aloe makes it great for cleansing while supporting scalp health," said Reynolds.
Rahua Aloe Vera Shampoo
This gentle, sulfate-free shampoo is designed for all hair types and safe for color treated hair. It cleanses without stripping, leaving hair soft, smooth, and manageable with a fresh, clean finish.
IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo
If you're going to use a dry shampoo, make sure it's a good one. We love this charcoal detox dry shampoo because it never leaves that ghostly white cast, it absorbs oils like a charm, and it even smells amazing.
How Often You Should Really Wash Your Hair, According to Stylists
There isn’t a black-and-white answer when it comes to how often you should wash your hair. It depends on your lifestyle, hair texture, and scalp health. But if you’re looking for some general guidance, here’s what the pros have to say:
“I’d love everyone to wash their hair when it actually feels dirty. I get it—you don’t want to redo your hair—but your scalp will be healthier for it, and your overall hair health will improve,” said Reynolds.
“Depending on your hair texture, you can shampoo anywhere from three times a week to once every 7 to 10 days,” said Shah.
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