If you grew up in the ‘80s or ‘90s, your hair care routine was likely simple: lather, rinse, repeat. We used harsh shampoos daily, scrubbed our scalps with our nails, and brushed our hair while it was soaking wet. These were the unquestioned rules of hair care, passed down like folklore. But just like frosted tips and butterfly clips, these methods are seriously outdated.
Modern hair science has revealed that many of our old habits are not just ineffective; they are actively damaging our hair. If you’re struggling with frizz, breakage, or an oily scalp, the culprit might be your vintage washing technique. It’s time for an upgrade. Here are six bad habits from the past that you need to break right now.
1. Washing Your Hair Every Single Day
The old wisdom was that clean hair is healthy hair, which meant daily washing was a must. We now know that this is one of the worst things you can do for most hair types. Washing your hair too frequently strips the scalp of its natural oils (sebum). In response, your scalp panics and overproduces oil to compensate, leaving you in a vicious cycle of greasy roots and dry ends.
For most people, washing every 2-4 days is ideal. This allows your natural oils to moisturize your hair, leading to less frizz and better overall health.
2. Applying Shampoo Directly to Your Ends
Where does your hair get the dirtiest? At the scalp. Your ends are the oldest and most fragile part of your hair. When you plop a huge dollop of shampoo on top of your head and scrub everything, you’re cleansing the part that needs it and stripping the part that doesn’t. This leads to split ends and breakage.
The correct method is to apply shampoo only to your scalp. Gently massage it in with your fingertips (not your nails!). As you rinse, the suds will run down and gently cleanse the rest of your hair without causing unnecessary dryness.
3. Using Hot, Steaming Water
A hot shower feels amazing, but it’s terrible for your hair. Hot water opens up the hair cuticle, which can cause color to fade faster and leads to frizz. It can also dry out your scalp, leading to itching and flakiness. It’s the equivalent of putting your favorite delicate sweater in a hot water wash cycle.
Instead, wash your hair with lukewarm water. Then, for your final rinse, switch the water to as cold as you can stand it. This cold rinse will seal the hair cuticle, locking in moisture and adding a brilliant shine.
4. The Rough Towel Turban
After washing, what’s the first thing you do? Probably grab a rough terrycloth towel and vigorously rub your hair, or twist it into a tight turban on top of your head. Your hair is at its most fragile when it’s wet. This rough treatment causes friction that can break the hair shaft and create frizz.
Ditch the regular towel. Instead, gently squeeze the excess water out of your hair with an old cotton t-shirt or a microfiber towel. These materials are much gentler and will absorb water without roughing up the cuticle.
5. Piling Your Hair on Top of Your Head to Lather
This is the classic move from shampoo commercials. You gather all your long hair on top of your head and scrub it into a big, foamy mountain. This might feel like you’re getting a deep clean, but all you’re really doing is creating a massive, tangled mess. This leads to pulling and breakage when you try to comb it out later.
Keep your hair pointing downwards while you shampoo. Work the lather into your scalp but let the rest of your hair hang loose. This prevents unnecessary tangles and is much gentler on your strands.
6. Skipping Conditioner (or Using it Incorrectly)
In the past, many people with fine or oily hair skipped conditioner, fearing it would weigh their hair down. This is a huge mistake. Shampoo opens the hair cuticle, and conditioner is what seals it back down, protecting it from damage. Skipping it is like washing your face and not applying moisturizer.
The key is correct application. Apply conditioner only from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair, keeping it away from your scalp where oil is produced. This gives your fragile ends the moisture they need without weighing down your roots.
Your Hair Will Thank You
Breaking these lifelong bad habits can feel strange at first, but the results are worth it. By adopting a more modern, gentle approach to washing your hair, you can dramatically improve its health, shine, and manageability. Your hair care routine shouldn’t be a relic from the past. Ditch the ‘90s techniques and give your hair the 21st-century care it deserves.
What’s one hair care myth you used to believe? Share it in the comments!
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The post Are You Still Washing Your Hair Like It’s 1995? 6 Bad Habits to Break Now appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
