It is important to know your hair type. Picture: Pexels.
Social media has made it easy for people to adopt new trends, especially in the hair and beauty industry.
While apps like TikTok are great for learning new tricks to take care of your hair, they can be challenging because not all trends are one-size-fits-all.
Speaking to Vitabiotics, hair expert and editorial director at Rush Hair, Tina Farey revealed the five most common hair mistakes that people make.
Using shampoos sulfated shampoos
If you want healthy hair, shampoos that contain sulfate are a no! Always stick to vegan shampoos that nourish your hair instead of causing damage.
“I’d always recommend avoiding shampoos that contain sulfates, however, I do understand that it can be difficult to completely avoid them as they’re found in so many shampoos,” says Farey.
“Sulfates strip the hair of its natural oils which are essential for healthy-looking hair! When choosing a shampoo, not only should you look for sulfate-free ones but ones that have moisturising ingredients in them such as oils and glycerin, as it can help retain moisture in the hair.”
Not knowing how often you should cut your hair
The cutting of hair is subjective because there are people who would never cut their hair no matter what. However, for effective hair growth, it is advisable to trim split ends.
“There are no rules for how often you should get your hair cut as everyone is different. For all hair types, the general guideline I’d usually recommend is getting your hair cut every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain the hair’s health.
“Regularly getting your hair cut will combat those pesky split ends and eliminate the chance of further breakage.
“However, if you are unsure, ask your hairdresser directly or book yourself in for a consultation, so a stylist can analyse your hair further, and determine what they think is best for you.”
Brushing your hair wet
This one depends on your hair type. For example, if you have straight hair, avoid brushing your hair when it is wet to avoid breakage.
“While many people take the time to wash their hair in the shower, it's important to remember that your hair is more fragile when wet, so it’s always recommended that you brush your hair once it’s dry to avoid breakage.
“However, if you have type 4 hair, brushing the hair when wet will help to maintain the shape of the curl and minimise damage while also making the hair more manageable and easier to detangle.”
Skipping your conditioner
Shampoo alone is not enough, you must always condition your hair after every wash.
“Hair wash days can be long, and time-consuming, however, conditioner is always a must when it comes to washing your hair. It revitalises the hair and helps reintroduce moisture back into your hair after shampooing.
“Leave-in sprays and treatments should be used alongside conditioner to give the hair that extra oomph – strengthening and hydrating the hair.”
Not knowing your hair porosity
Every hair needs water and moisture, and how much of that your hair can take depends on its porosity.
“The hair’s porosity determines your hair’s ability to hold moisture, which means that more lightweight products may be the way forward if you have low-porosity hair to help the hair retain its moisture without weighing down the hair.
“However, if you have high-porosity hair, it's prone to frizz and feel dry, so more moisture-rich products would be the way to go with this particular porosity type.
“The porosity of the hair can be determined by how it feels to touch and the length of time it takes to dry – be sure to look out for the signs the next time you jump out of the shower!”