1. Bad Brushing

One of the top worst things to do to your hair is to grab a brush and just randomly tear through your strands. I know you’re in a hurry, but you can damage your hair, rip it out and it can hurt! Work in time to properly brush or comb your hair before you run out the door. Also, don’t feel obligated to brush your hair 100 strokes a day. This is a bad hair habit that can cause hair to break or split!

2. Dirty Brushes

Another common mistake people make with hair brushes is to not clean them on a regular basis! Hair brushes can get dirty from oil, sweat and styling products, so it’s a must to clean them about once a month to remove dirt and bacteria. You can use shampoo or baking soda mixed with water for a quick cleanup to remove oil and grime. Also, don’t forget to remove any leftover hairs after you brush your hair!

3. Bleaching

You might already be aware of this, but bleaching your hair can be a sure way to damage your hair! According to dermatologist Paradi Mirmirani, bleaching your hair infuses the cuticle with chemicals and removes the pigment from your hair, thereby changing the construction of your hair and making it more vulnerable to damage.

4. Too Much Heat

A common bad hair habit that we’re guilty of is using a lot of heat tools on our hair. If you use a blow dryer, curling or flat iron on a daily basis, this can cause permanent damage to your hair. Heat tools can dry out and damage the structure of your hair from the constant heat, so be sure to give your hair a break every once in awhile.

5. Product Overload

Being a beauty product junkie, I know firsthand how exciting a new hair or beauty product can be. As much as I want to use all the brand new products out there, your hair can only take so much! Using too many products can weigh hair down, cause build-up on your hair and scalp and removing all this gunk can end up stripping your hair of its natural oils. Do your hair a favor and don’t use too many products at once and always use less than you need. You can always add more later but you can’t take back too much product!

6. Overwashing Hair

If you like to feel totally fresh from head to toe day in and day out, you might wash your hair on a daily basis. While this bad hair habit might help us feel refreshed, it can be too much cleansing for your hair to handle. You don’t want to wait too long to wash your hair but washing it daily can strip your hair of its natural oils, which can result in an overproduction of oils from your scalp. Unless your hair is dirty, wash it every other day or so.

7. Tight Hairstyles

Did you know your favorite hairstyle could be a way to damage your hair? If you like to wear your hair in braids, a bun or ponytail, it can actually cause damage to your tresses. Add some variety to your looks and wear your styles loose or just wear it au naturel every once in awhile. Wearing tight hairstyles can cause a headache or hair damage-both of which we want to avoid!

Have you ever committed any of these hair offenses? I know I have! Even if we’ve made some mistakes in the past, we can always make changes now to correct those mistakes. Our hair is a delicate fiber that needs lots of TLC. Treat your hair well and it’ll treat you well in return! Do you have any bad hair habits you want to add to this list?