10 Hair Washing Mistakes Stylists See All the Time

You’re Overdoing the Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is a godsend for greasy, second-day hair; but overusing it can cause buildup, leaving strands limp and hair follicles clogged. “I usually suggest only using dry shampoo one to two times between washes,” says Paul Wintner, professional hairstylist and educator for Alterna Haircare. To extend time between wash days, he recommends Alterna Meltaway No Rinse Micellar Cleanser, a no-rinse cleanser that uses micellar technology to trap oil and sweat from the hair, allowing you to easily brush it away.

Your Hair Isn’t Fully Wet Before You Start Scrubbing

It’s easy to get impatient in the shower (especially if you’re a chronic alarm snoozer), but to achieve a deep clean, every strand needs to be soaking wet. “Not doing so will make it more difficult to spread the product through your hair and cause you to overuse shampoo,” says Wintner. To ensure that your shampoo works at its absolute best, give your hair a very thorough rinse.

You Massage Too Hard

We all love a vigorous head scrub at the salon, but that should be a special occasion way to clean your hair—not an everyday occurrence. According to Wintner, massaging too hard can cause hair breakage, and if you scratch your scalp in the process, you can cause scarring. “The best practice is to use the pads of your fingertips, and not your fingernails, to scrub your scalp,” he says. Using circular motions with slight pressure will be enough to cleanse the scalp and hair.”

You’re Shampooing the Ends

Your hair gets dirtiest right at the scalp, and your ends are far less dirty. So focus your scrubbing on the roots, not the ends. That will ensure you focus your cleansing attention on your scalp, where clogged hair follicles can lead to hair loss, and not on the ends, where scrubbing can lead to unwanted tangling and knots.

To properly shampoo, lather and massage the roots to mid-length, and then let the water naturally drive the soap down when you rinse.

You’re Shortchanging Your Shampoo Time

Fast and furious is a great tagline, but not a great motto for washing your hair. If you’re in and out of the shower in five minutes, you’re probably not doing it right. “It’s important to take enough time to scrub and massage the scalp well,” says professional hairstylist Gina Rivera. “This is important because massaging generates blood flow, which contributes to a healthy scalp. A healthy scalp makes for healthy hair.” Wintner says a good practice is to shampoo with circular motions all over your scalp for two to three minutes—or about the length of a short pop rock song (think The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated,” Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” or “good 4 u” by Olivia Rodrigo).

You Don’t Switch Up Your Shampoo

Your hair needs shift with changing seasons, styling habits, and coloring. For example, a smoothing shampoo might come in handy during humid summer months, while a volumizing shampoo is probably better for the drier winter season.

To reduce buildup, Wintner recommends switching off between a clarifying shampoo and moisturizing shampoo. Aveeno’s Apple Cider Vinegar Blend, is one great drugstore shampoo option. Throw in a color-treated product if your hair is dyed—Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance is a good option. If your hair is dry, choose a shampoo formulated for dry hair to keep it rejuvenated and happy.

You’re Going Overboard With Clarifying Shampoo

If you use a lot of hair products, you may want to integrate a clarifying shampoo into your routine. However, Garnier ambassador and hairstylist Kat Thompson cautions against using them too frequently. “Clarifying shampoos are great to keep your scalp clean but you want to avoid using them too often so as not to strip the natural oils from your scalp.”

You’re Using the Wrong Shampoo and Conditioner for Your Hair Type

With so many different shampoos and conditioners on the market, it can be hard to find the right one. Even if your hair is relatively easy to manage, it’s still important to make sure you’re using the best shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. “Some people with dryer or frizzy hair need more moisture whereas others with fiber and thinner hair need something lighter so as not to weigh it down,” says Thompson.

You’re Using the Wrong Water Temperature

Rinsing your hair in hot water can feel incredibly nice, but it can also be damaging, which means your hair will not look its best. “Although we love a hot shower, the hotter the water, the more it can strip those natural oils away and actually make your hair more dry,” says Thompson. “The cooler the water, the more it will lead to shiny and hydrated hair. I suggest that if you like hot showers, change the water temperature for when it’s time to rinse your hair to a more lukewarm temp.”

You’re Drying Your Hair Too Hastily

You might be in a rush to get out of the shower and get going, but Thompson advises against drying your hair vigorously. “Be gentle with your hair! Press it to get the water out using a microfiber towel. It will help wavy and curly hair stay less frizzy, fine hair not break, and color-treated hair stay in the healthiest condition.”