6 Common Hair-Washing Mistakes and How to Fix Them, According to Experts

From steamy showers to where you apply your conditioner, your shower routine may be working against you. Here’s what experts recommend for healthier hair.

If your hair feels unhealthy, dry, or damaged, you might be washing it the wrong way.

“You may be damaging your hair without even realizing it while in the shower,” says hairstylist Daphné Narcy. “When your hair is wet, it’s at its most fragile. But habits like washing hair too quickly, scrubbing too hard, or using water that’s too hot may be causing breakage and frizz.”

There are simple fixes to avoid damaging your hair, and it mostly starts with your scalp. “If your scalp is calm and balanced, your hair is much more likely to behave,” says Dr. Kseniya Kobets, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care.

Experts identify several washing mistakes you may be committing that are doing more harm than good to your hair. If you’re doing any of these, it’s time to correct the habit.

Mistake #1: Washing Too Often or Not Enough

While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all schedule for washing your hair, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends observing how quickly your hair gets dirty or oily to determine how often you wash it. Some need to wash their hair every two to four days, Kobets says, while others may require daily washing due to oilier scalps. For dry or curly hair, this may only require washing every week or two.

If you wash more often than needed, your hair can become dry and brittle. On the other hand, not washing enough can make your hair greasy and your scalp flaky and itchy. Dry shampoo may not be the solution, either. “You probably need to just wash in the shower with actual shampoo,” says UCLA Health dermatologist Dr. Carolyn Goh.

Mistake #2: Forgetting to Wash Your Scalp

One of the more common mistakes in washing hair is focusing too much on the hair and neglecting the scalp. “We rub the lengths against each other, which damages them, and we neglect the roots, where sebum, pollution, and residue accumulate,” Narcy says.

To wash properly, Kobets recommends applying shampoo to your roots, then “let the lather cleanse the lengths as it rinses.”

Mistake #3: Scrubbing Too Hard

There’s a difference between scrubbing and massaging, and the former isn’t advisable. “It’s meant to be an invigorating massage, not a scrub,” Narcy explains. When massaging, use your fingertips and run them in small, circular motions. Be wary of over-scrubbing as it may irritate the scalp and aggravate conditions like eczema and dandruff, Kobets adds.

Mistake #4: Using Too Much Shampoo

If you think using more shampoo can make your hair cleaner, you’re thinking wrong. According to Kobets, even a quarter-sized amount is sufficient to clean your scalp and roots, so don’t overdo it.

Mistake #5: Turning Up the Heat

While it feels nice and calming to shower with hot water, it’s not great for your hair because it can irritate the scalp and strip its oils, says cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Danny Guo, who recommends lukewarm water instead.

Narcy suggests using this method to determine if the water is too hot or just right: “If the water feels pleasant on your wrist, without feeling hot, it’s the right temperature for your hair.”

Mistake #6: Applying Conditioner Where You Shouldn’t

The conditioner is meant for the ends and lengths of your hair, so it has no business being applied to your scalp, unless your scalp is really dry, according to Goh. If your hair is fine or straight, the AAD even recommends just conditioning the ends, and if your hair is curly or dry, you can condition the full length.

When to See a Dermatologist

Goh recommends seeing a dermatologist for cases such as persistent rashes, pimples, redness, or itching. Guo adds that bald patches and sudden or worsening shedding also merit a visit to the doctor.