If you’re constantly pulling hair out of the bathroom drain, it could be because of your shower habits, according to an expert.
According to Dr Gizem Seymenoglu, a London-based hair loss specialist, many people are unknowingly damaging their hair through everyday habits.
From washing with excessively hot water and scrubbing the scalp too harshly, to applying shampoo and conditioner to the wrong areas, twisting hair into tight towel turbans, or brushing it while it’s still wet, these “rookie mistakes” can weaken hair and, in some cases, damage the scalp.
Hot water showers
“Hot showers can be one of the biggest hidden culprits behind hair damage and hair loss. The intense heat strips the scalp of its natural oils, weakening the hair and leaving it far more prone to breakage.
In response, the scalp often overcompensates by producing excess oil, resulting in greasy roots while the lengths and ends remain dry and fragile. Additionally, for those who suffer from eczema, psoriasis or dandruff, hot water can make things worse,” Dr Gizem explains.
Aggressive scalp scrubbing
While it may feel satisfying to scrub the scalp with your fingernails or use physical exfoliators containing sugar or salt crystals, Dr Gizem advises caution.
“Do not ever use your fingernails to dig into the skin of your scalp. It can cause small cuts, inflame the skin, and even lead to infection.
Scalp scrubs can be useful for those who use lots of styling products or have very oily scalps, but they should only be used once or twice a week or even every other week. And instead of gritty physical scrubs, I’d always recommend a gentler chemical exfoliant,” the expert advises.
Using shampoo and conditioner in the wrong areas
Dr Gizem explained: “I always say: If it starts with S, it’s for the scalp. If it starts with C, it’s for the cuticle.
Shampoo is for the scalp alone. You do not need to shampoo the ends of your hair, especially since they’re already dry and fragile. That’s what conditioner is for, the hair shaft, not the scalp. Your scalp already produces sebum to keep itself nourished and moisturised, so adding heavy conditioner on top can leave your roots greasy.”
The expert notes that you don’t need to worry about your hair feeling “dirty” without the shampoo. As the suds travel down from the scalp, they’ll cleanse the strands. You just have to make sure to use a conditioner afterwards.
Hair Towel Wrap
“It’s very often you see this in commercials or movies, but that doesn’t mean there’s no harm in it,” Dr Gizem said.
“Twisting your hair into a tight bun when it’s wet and therefore already fragile will only increase the risk of breakage.
Regular towels are also quite abrasive and can damage the hair cuticle. Plus, pulling your hair tightly into a towel wrap over time can also weaken the follicles and contribute to hair fall.”
According to the expert, the safest thing to do is to gently blot hair with a microfiber towel or soft T-shirt and let it air dry loosely.
Brushing wet hair
“When your hair is wet, it is more elastic and stretchy, and brushing while it is still wet can damage its cuticle and make it frizzy,” explains Dr Gizem.
According to the expert, the best way to detangle hair in the shower is to gently run the strands between your hands while the conditioner is still in. If further detangling is needed, using your fingers rather than a brush is the safest option.
Underwashing or overwashing the hair
Dr Gizem says this is an easy mistake to overlook. If shampoo or conditioner isn’t rinsed out thoroughly, product residue can build up on the scalp, leading to increased flakiness. Hair should never feel soapy once it’s been properly washed.
Overwashing, on the other hand, is another problem according to the expert: “Washing your hair every day with harsh shampoo strips natural oils, causing the scalp to overproduce oil. Try washing two to three times a week, or refresh with water or conditioner alone if you’re active.”