Fine hair can be beautiful and functional when you know how to handle it, but there are plenty of hair care mistakes that many fine-haired people make. If you don’t know what these mistakes are, you could be causing damage to your hair without even realizing it! To keep your hair looking healthy and beautiful all year long, check out these eight fine hair mistakes you should avoid and how to fix them right away.
Over-Washing Your Hair
The shampoo doesn’t cause hair to get greasy—it causes hair to get clean. Washing your hair too often can leave it feeling dry and straw-like. For fine hair, stick with every two or three days between shampoos. And opt for a volumizing shampoo and conditioner if you have thinning strands. They give you added volume without weighing your hair down.
Brushing Your Hair When It’s Wet
Brushing your hair when it’s wet can cause split ends and make your hair frizzy. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb when it’s damp to gently detangle. Then, dry with a towel or let air dry. Once your hair is dry, you should never brush it! While that may seem like common sense to most of us, many women report they’ve spent their entire lives brushing their fine tresses.
Oiling Your Hair Every Day
In an attempt to give your locks that shiny, healthy look, you might be tempted to hit up your local drugstore and stock up on bottles of serum. But if you have fine hair, these types of products can lead to a greasy build-up, weighing down your hair and creating a dull appearance. Your best bet is to use a lightweight oil on wet hair once or twice per week before applying a blow dryer.
Too Much Heat On Dry Hair
Any time you use heat on your hair, you put it at risk of damage. Fine hair is thinner and has less natural protection than thicker hair, so when you use a flat iron or curling iron, you need to be extra careful. Turn down your thermostat, or take a break from styling tools when your hair is dry if your locks are fine—fine hair tends to react badly to chemicals (think dye and perms) and extreme heat.
Washing Your Hair Too Often
When your hair is extremely fine, you have to be extra careful about your washing and styling habits. Washing too often can strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage. A better solution? Wash once or twice a week—just enough to get rid of any built-up product without stripping away too much.
Trying To Make Fine Hair Fuller
The biggest mistake people make with fine hair is trying to do too much. Thickening products, curling irons, and all kinds of volumizing mousse…these products may help people with thick hair look fuller, but they tend to clump and weigh down fine hair. By overcompensating for fine hair’s lack of body, these products only make it seem thinner than it already is.
Not Protecting Your Hairstyle While Swimming Or In The Rain
Over time, exposure to water can loosen hairstyles. Protect your hair in any way you can while swimming or when it rains (bring an umbrella with you!). Also, avoid washing your hair every day—try every other day instead. This will give your hair a chance to dry properly and help keep it strong. Keeping up with regular trims: In order to prevent damage and breakage caused by split ends, get regular trims. A simple haircut can do wonders for those with fine hair!
Continuing To Use Old, Ineffective Products That Are Dehydrating
Dry hair needs moisture, which is why damaged hair benefits from a generous supply of conditioner or masks. Contrary to popular belief, it does not need extra oils. Treating fine hair with natural oils can weigh down strands and make it appear greasy or limp. Avoid pore-clogging ingredients like mineral oil, petrolatum, and paraffin—all found in many shampoos, conditioners, and styling products—and choose silicone-free serums over lotions when you want to add moisture to your hair.
Final Thoughts
Most fine-haired people are plagued by fragile strands that won’t ever grow more than a few inches. While hair growth is mostly genetic, there are a number of steps you can take to make sure your hair never goes out of style and stay healthy.
