We’ve said it before and we will say it again. Your hair is OUR priority. We want to help you take care of your hair in and out of the salon chair. 

We see and hear of common hair care mistakes every day. Let’s be real, we’ve all made a few hair care mistakes throughout our journey. There is so much information out there about how to care for your hair that it’s hard to know what to trust. 

That’s why we’ve come to the blog to compile common hair care mistakes in one place. 

But we won’t just focus on the mistakes. We’ve also provided recommendations for how to turn that mistake into a step in the right direction for you and your hair. 

We’re not here to tell you what you’re doing wrong. We’re here to identify the mistake and more importantly, tell you how to fix it. 

So, let’s get into it! 

1. Not using a heat protectant. Not using a heat protectant on your hair before styling means you’re putting heat directly on your hair without a protective layer in between. Doing this will cause breakage and even damage your color. We love and regularly use the Iles Finishing Serum for protective styling. Use it on wet or dry hair before styling. 

2. Using your hot tools on the highest setting. You don’t need to burn or damage your hair to style it. Styling your hair at too hot of temperatures can dry your hair out. We recommend keeping your hot tools temperature settings at 360 degrees or less. 

3. Brushing your hair when it’s wet. Your hair is most fragile when it’s wet so be as gentle as possible. We recommend brushing before you get into the shower to avoid needing to go hard with the brushing when your hair is wet. Gently wrap it up in a microfiber towel and let the water be absorbed for faster dry time. 

4. Using too hot of water to wash your hair. Believe it or not, you don’t need scalding hot water for your hair to get clean. You aren’t doing the dishes here. Similar to using too hot of styling tools, too hot of water can also dry your hair out. Dry and brittle hair leads to breakage. We recommend setting the water at a lukewarm temperature when washing your hair. 

5. Wearing the wrong extensions. Choosing the right method of extensions is crucial for your hair health. If you have fine hair, tape in and glued in extensions could damage your hair. When choosing the right hair extension method, consider weight distribution and application technique to avoid pulling and damage. Kashmir extensions are glue and tape free and are evenly distributed by rows that are customized to fit your head size. 

6. Sleeping with wet or damp hair. We get it. Sometimes you have to wash your hair before bed and that means your hair may be wet or damp when you go to sleep. Your hair is its most vulnerable when wet. Sleeping on it wet can cause irritation and dryness at your scalp. If you have to wash at night, carve out time to blow dry before hitting the pillow. Your scalp will thank you. 

7. Ignoring your scalp. Don’t sleep on scalp care. Seriously. Your scalp health is your hair health. Your hair needs your scalp in order to grow. Taking care of your scalp will keep it from getting itchy, dry and irritated. It will also help your hair grow stronger. To achieve a healthier scalp, use gentle products that avoid sulfates and other harsh chemicals like alcohols or fragrances. Wash less and shampoo gently, lathering and accessing your scalp without being too rough. 

You can also use a scalp treatment to promote hair growth. We love Iles Scalp and Hair Rejuvenating Booster. Spray it generously and evenly to a damp or dry scalp every day. Massage it into your scalp to activate circulation. For the best results, use it with Iles Shampoo and Conditioner, which will help with hair breakage while the booster will help with hair growth. 

8. Washing your hair too often. So your scalp produces natural oils called sebum. Sebum protects your hair from losing moisture. Over-washing your hair will strip it of sebum and dry out your scalp. As a result, your hair will feel dry, brittle and be more vulnerable to breakage. The solution here is simple - wash less. How much you wash will be dependent on where you live, seasonality and if you have dry or oily skin. We recommend washing 1-2 times per week but again, it will be largely dependent on the factors above. 

9. Not using a hair mask. Hair masks are such an easy step to add to your hair care routine. With the right hair mask, you will nourish and strengthen your hair with every use. We recommend Iles Hair Mask Haute Performance - it’s truly our holy grail. Use the hair mask after shampooing and before conditioning. Apply it from your scalp to your roots. Leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes, rinse and then condition. 

Taking care of your hair and scalp doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Taking or changing a few simple steps will make a big difference in your hair health. 

When establishing your hair care routine, remember that it should be customized to you and your hair. Not all hair care routines are alike, nor should they be. 

There are so many factors to consider and all hair care routines will look different. Your routine may also change over time and that’s ok. The above recommendations are to help you know what not to do as you’re discovering what works for your hair. 

We’re excited to be on this hair care journey with you. 

Click here or text (310) 340-1053 to book a consultation/schedule your next appointment with Kashmir.