The Rough Towel Rub-Down
It’s a motion many of us have done since childhood: vigorously rubbing our hair with a thick cotton towel to get the water out quickly. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common culprits behind frizz and breakage. When your hair is wet, the outer
layer, or cuticle, is swollen and raised, making it highly susceptible to damage. The rough fibres of a standard bath towel create friction, snagging these raised cuticles, roughing them up, and even snapping the delicate strands. This process not only creates immediate frizz but also weakens the hair shaft over time, leading to split ends and a dull appearance. Instead of rubbing, gently squeeze or pat the water out of your hair. For an even better result, switch your bath towel for a microfibre towel or a soft, old cotton t-shirt. These materials have a smoother surface and are more absorbent, allowing them to draw water out efficiently without causing friction.
Detangling from Root to Tip
Seeing a knot and immediately trying to force a brush through it from the scalp downwards is a recipe for disaster on wet hair. Think of a wet hair strand like a weak elastic band. When you brush from the top, you push all the small tangles down into one giant, unmanageable knot. The force required to pull a brush through that knot will stretch the hair far beyond its breaking point, causing it to snap. This leads to breakage, uneven layers, and what stylists call 'mechanical damage.' To detangle safely, start from the ends. Hold a section of your hair and gently brush through the last few inches. Once the ends are tangle-free, move a few inches up and repeat the process, working your way gradually towards the roots. Using a wide-tooth comb or a brush specifically designed for wet hair will also make a world of difference, as their bristles are designed to be more flexible and gentle.
Using High Heat on Soaking Hair
In a rush, it’s tempting to grab the blow dryer and blast soaking wet hair on the highest heat setting. This is incredibly damaging. When you apply intense, direct heat to dripping hair, the water trapped inside the hair shaft can literally boil and turn to steam. This creates tiny, destructive bubbles within the hair fibre, a phenomenon that can lead to permanent weak spots and breakage. Your hair becomes brittle and loses its natural elasticity and shine. Always let your hair air-dry or towel-dry until it's about 70-80% dry before introducing heat. When you do use a blow dryer, start with a lower heat and speed setting. And never, ever forget to apply a heat protectant spray. It creates a barrier between your hair and the heat, distributing it more evenly and preventing that damaging flash-drying effect.
The Tight Ponytail or Bun
Pulling wet hair back into a tight ponytail, bun, or braid might seem like a convenient way to get it out of your face, but it puts immense stress on your strands and follicles. As mentioned, wet hair is stretchy and weak. When you secure it tightly with a hair tie, you are pulling on it while it’s in its most vulnerable state. As your hair dries, it shrinks back to its normal length, creating even more tension against the hair tie. This can lead to significant breakage right at the band line and can even cause traction alopecia—hair loss from consistent pulling—around your hairline. If you must tie your hair back, opt for a very loose braid or use a gentle accessory like a silk scrunchie, which won't snag or pull as tightly. The best option, however, is to leave it down until it's completely dry.
Going to Bed with Wet Hair
While it may save you time in the morning, sleeping with wet hair is detrimental for two key reasons. First, there's the friction. As you toss and turn, your wet hair rubs against your pillowcase, leading to major tangles, frizz, and breakage. Second, there's the health of your scalp. A wet, warm pillowcase creates the perfect breeding ground for fungus and bacteria. This can disrupt your scalp's microbiome, potentially leading to issues like dandruff, itchiness, or other irritations. Ideally, you should ensure your hair is fully dry before going to sleep. If you absolutely must wash your hair at night, try to do it a couple of hours before bed to give it time to air-dry. Using a silk or satin pillowcase can help reduce friction, but it won’t solve the scalp environment problem.
