If you feel like your hair isn’t growing—despite using all the right products—your daily habits might be the real problem. According to dermatologist Aleksandra Brown, some of the most common routines people swear by could actually be causing more breakage than growth.
In a recent TikTok, she shared three hair habits she would never do, warning that they can weaken strands, damage the scalp, and even lead to long-term hair loss.
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1. Going to Bed With Wet Hair
It might seem harmless, but sleeping with wet hair can do more damage than you think.
“Wet hair is very fragile and prone to breakage,” Dr. Brown explains. When your hair is damp, the strands are more elastic and easier to snap—especially if you toss and turn or tie it up before bed.
There’s also a scalp concern. The combination of moisture and body heat creates the perfect environment for yeast to thrive, which can lead to “itchy, scaly, flaky” buildup over time.
If you want healthier, stronger hair, experts recommend fully drying it before bed—or at the very least, letting it dry most of the way and keeping it loose.
2. Skipping Heat Protectant
If you regularly blow-dry, curl, or straighten your hair, this step isn’t optional.
“I would never apply heat to my hair without adding heat protectant first,” Dr. Brown says. Heat styling without protection can weaken the hair shaft, leading to dryness, split ends, and breakage that makes it seem like your hair isn’t growing at all.
Her tip: apply heat protectant twice—once on damp hair before blow-drying, and again on dry hair before using hot tools. This creates a barrier that helps minimize damage from high temperatures.
3. Wearing Tight Ponytails Too Often
Sleek, tight styles might look polished, but they can come at a cost.
“I would never wear my hair in a tight ponytail for extended periods of time,” she warns. Constant tension on the hair follicles can lead to traction alopecia—a form of hair loss that, in some cases, can become permanent.
Over time, this stress weakens the roots, especially around the hairline, causing thinning and breakage. Opting for looser styles and switching up your hairstyles can help reduce strain and keep your hair healthier.
The Bottom Line
Healthy hair growth isn’t just about what you add to your routine—it’s also about what you stop doing. Small habits like sleeping with wet hair, skipping heat protection, or pulling your hair too tight can quietly sabotage your progress.
Fixing these everyday mistakes could be the difference between constant breakage—and finally seeing real growth.
