Breaking Hair Habits: Everyday Mistakes That Harm Your Hair and Scalp

We all have our little routines with our hair, don’t we? Some are harmless, but others slowly chip away at the health of both hair and scalp. Over the years behind the chair, I’ve spotted the same habits again and again. Since starting my trichology studies, I now understand the science behind them – and I’d love to share that with you.

One of the most common mistakes is being too rough when washing. Many people scrub hard with shampoo, thinking it will leave their hair cleaner, but all that friction actually weakens the cuticle and damages the ends. This is where something called Trichoptilosis comes in – that’s just the professional name for split ends. In simple terms, the tips of the hair fray and break apart, leaving the hair looking dull and uneven. Being gentler when washing, and treating the hair as though it were delicate silk, is far kinder and will keep the ends healthier for longer.

Did you know?

“Tricho” comes from the Greek word for hair, which is why so many professional terms in trichology begin with it.

Another hidden danger is heat styling on damp hair. I often see people run straighteners or curling tongs through half-dry strands, not realising how much damage it causes. This leads to Bubble Hair, which is exactly what it sounds like. When water inside the hair shaft heats too quickly, it turns to steam and forms tiny bubbles inside the strand. Under a microscope, it looks a bit like popcorn, and in real life it leaves the hair weak and brittle, snapping with the slightest tension. The best way to avoid this is to always make sure your hair is completely dry before styling and to never skip a heat protector.

Did you know? Bubble Hair can’t be reversed once it happens – the only way forward is to cut off the damaged strand.

Brushing can be another problem area. Tugging a brush through knots in a rush may feel satisfying in the moment, but over time it can cause a condition known as Trichorrhexis nodosa. This is when tiny weak spots, or nodes, form along the hair shaft. To the eye they may look like little white dots, but really they are fragile points where the hair is likely to snap. The kinder approach is to detangle slowly with a wide-tooth comb on wet hair, starting from the ends and working up, and to use a softer brush on dry hair.

Did you know?

The word “nodosa” means knotty or nodular, which is why it’s used to describe these weak points in the hair shaft.

Tight hairstyles are another sneaky culprit. I love a sleek ponytail or bun as much as the next person, but when worn too often, they can put constant stress on the hair follicles. This can eventually cause Traction Alopecia, which simply means hair loss caused by pulling. The sad part is that if this habit carries on for too long, the loss can become permanent. The good news is, giving your scalp some rest days with looser styles or changing where you tie your ponytail makes a huge difference.

Did you know? Alopecia is just the medical word for hair loss – professionals add another word, like “traction,” to explain the cause.

And then there’s the scalp itself, which often gets overlooked. Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, yet many people never give it a second thought. A scalp that’s dry, irritated or weighed down with build-up won’t support hair growth as well as it should. I always say: treat your scalp the same way you treat the skin on your face. Keep it clean, moisturised, and if you’re out in the sun for long periods, don’t forget it needs protection too.

Did you know? The scalp actually ages faster than the skin on your face, because it has more oil glands and is constantly exposed to the elements.

The truth is, it’s not usually one big mistake that damages our hair, but lots of little ones that build up over time. The positive side is that once you know the professional terms and understand what’s really happening, it’s much easier to make small changes that add up to a healthier scalp and stronger hair.

So, which of these habits sounds most familiar to you? Maybe it’s rough washing, brushing too hard, or reaching for the straighteners before your hair is dry. Whatever it is, breaking that one habit could be the first step to giving your hair the care it really deserves.

Tschüß, 

Carolin x