Avoid these 5 wet hair mistakes to save your tresses from mess

All of us want long and strong tresses like Rapunzel, don’t we? And with the festive season approaching, the desire to flaunt our crowning glory has grown manifold. Unfortunately, with increasing pollution and the overuse of chemical treatments, it all seems like a far-fetched dream. On top of that, we end up committing some silly mistakes unintentionally that eventually wreaks havoc on our tresses. Do you know what we are talking about? Yes, most of us are guilty of making some common wet hair mistakes that can take a toll on the health of our hair.

Why may you ask? Well, when your hair is wet, it requires more care, and we end up doing the opposite.

“Hair is a strand of keratin, which behaves very similarly to fabric. The bonds in our hair are at their weakest when wet. They are prone to breakage on vigorous handling, heat, and weak points, particularly when you use hair bands and tie ponytails,” shares Dr Aparna Santhanam, renowned dermatologist, with HealthShots.

So, what are some of the other common mistakes that people commit?

“The top 3 wet hair mistakes that I see in my patients include drying wet hair too vigorously and brushing when wet, tying up wet hair, and using heating tools on wet hair like curlers and straighteners,” she adds.

Let’s go through some other wet hair mistakes:

1. Waiting to detangle knots when the hair is wet
We know it sounds like the right thing to do, but it really isn’t! Make sure you always brush your hair before entering into the shower, so that your hair isn’t susceptible to any damage. If you feel your tresses are too dry, use a dash of serum or hair oil and run your comb or brush. It will be easier to detangle your hair.

2. Brushing wet hair too aggressively
Ideally, you should not brush wet hair, but even if you decide to, do not brush it too aggressively, and always use a leave-in conditioner. It is important to be gentle, especially at this point. Always start from the ends, and work your way up. Hold the section of the hair you are brushing/combing in your hand.

3. Tying your hair when it’s wet
As mentioned above, your tresses are the weakest and most vulnerable when wet, and while it may seem tempting to tie them into a ponytail or bun (especially when you are in a hurry and have to head out), stop yourself from doing this. That’s because when you tie wet hair, the tension will increase when it dries. You must ONLY tie your hair, when it’s completely dry.

4. Blow drying wet hair
We know it’s simple to blow hot air and dry your tresses, but please refrain from doing this! Wait for the water to drip out, put your dryer on medium heat, and then move on to a higher level to style your hair, just the way you like it. A simple step like this can go a long way!

5. Heading to bed with wet hair
If your hair is slightly wet, it’s still fine; but in case it is dripping, you are in for major trouble. That’s because this is going to damage your hair follicles and cause breakage. If you plan to wash your hair at night, draw the excess water out with a microfibre towel, and then blow dry your hair on medium heat.

What is the best way to take care of wet hair?

“The best way to care for wet hair is to first pre-condition the hair with a coconut-based hair oil before washing it. This ensures hair strength and proper elasticity, even after shampooing, thanks to the internal shaft strengthening provided by these oils. After shampooing and conditioning, gently dry your hair with an old cotton T-shirt or soft cotton, or a microfiber towel. I love the thin netted soft south Indian towels that gently absorb water,” shares Dr Santhanam.

She also advises women to use a flex wet hairbrush, if need be.

“Apply a little serum or spritz a little coconut-based hair oil on the ends, and then air dry or blow dry on cold mode to let it fall into place,” she concludes.