5 Things You Should Never Do to Wet Hair
Is it bad to brush wet hair? Can I sleep with wet hair? Is it okay to straighten hair while wet? These are the important everyday questions we all ask ourselves.
Let’s be honest, we’ve all heard the rumours about the dangers of roughing up wet hair and usually ignored them. Well, ignore them at your peril because we’ve learned a lot about what can happen to wet hair if you don’t treat it with respect.
Here, we’ve got five quick tips on what you should never do to your wet hair – and why, busting common wet hair myths and showing you the correct way to care for wet hair:
1. Is it Bad to Brush Wet Hair?
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The short answer is - yes. Whatever you do, do not brush your hair when it’s wet because that’s when it’s at its weakest and becomes vulnerable to breakage (leading to flyaways), split ends and damage. Even worse, you can actually pull hair from the roots that way. The best time to brush your hair is when it is almost or completely dry. But if you have tangles after washing it or after a swim, you can use a wide-tooth comb on your wet hair to restore order, but make sure it has smooth tooth ends so you don’t irritate your scalp. Try the Scunci de-tangling comb. Also, make sure when running the comb through your hair that you’re combing slowly.
So, is it bad to comb wet hair? The answer is no. If you have the right tools, combing hair while wet is neither good nor bad. With a wide-tooth comb, you can get away with taming tangled tresses after a summer day at the beach or a quick rinse-off in the shower. Just remember to leave the brush in the drawer to avoid temptation. Save your locks and reach for a comb instead.
2. Don't Apply Hairspray on Wet Hair
There are many good products to apply on wet hair, including oil treatments, but there are some products that shouldn’t be used. Hair spray is a product that should never be used on wet hair.
While it’s tempting to give it a bit of a spray to keep things in place, especially if you are air drying and getting on with other things, don’t do it. The only thing you will achieve is crunchy, flaky hair, never a good look!
When using hairspray, make sure your hair is completely dry to get the desired result.
3. Avoid Pulling Wet Hair Back into a Ponytail or a Bun
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Sometimes after shampooing or swimming, it can be tempting to just put it in a ponytail, but that's a huge no-no. When you tie your hair back it stretches up to a third of its length causing tension breakage.
So make sure it’s pretty dry before putting it up. You might want to rethink that wet hair bun next time. Certainly not an option for anyone with fine, fragile hair. And don’t sleep with wet hair – again, it will cause tangles, breakage, and stretch your hair.
4. Never Use a Straightener on Wet Hair
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The only heated hair tool that should be used in conjunction with wet hair is a Hair Dryer or Hot Air Styler. You should never straighten your hair while it is wet.
It’s amazing that there are so many people who risk using straighteners and curlers on semi-dried hair as they are in a rush. Before you use any hot tools (besides a dryer or hot air styler mentioned above), your hair needs to be completely dry, or you will sizzle and damage the cuticles of your hair.
Having said that, there are exceptions to this rule. VS Sassoon has a Wet and Dry Straightener that uses unique technology so that when you pass the tool through your hair, moisture escapes as steam, and your hair becomes straight and smooth as it dries. It really is a great example of how the latest technology is changing up the game in hair styling. Still, you must be careful that the straightener you use on wet hair is one of these wet-to-dry tools.
5. Never go to Bed with Wet Hair
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Just like the old saying ‘never go to sleep on an argument’, you should never go to sleep on your wet hair. Even if you have obedient straight hair that doesn’t kink, you are still likely to end up with knots, which can be damaging to your hair.
As mentioned above, stretching or brushing wet hair is not good for it, and lying on wet hair can risk breakage. If you have curly hair, it will end up in a frizzy mess. It's best to get your hair dryer out, ladies!” If you are looking for hairstyles that are perfect for sleeping in so you wake up with beautifully styled hair, check out our blog post on the best hairstyles to sleep in.
Follow These Steps and Enjoy Beautifully Healthy Hair
Now you know how you are hurting hair when it is wet, so follow our tips closely so you don’t keep making the same mistakes that damage your hair. And remember, no matter how tempting it is, do not brush wet hair. If you need to get the tangles out and you can’t wait for your hair to dry, reach for a wide-tooth comb instead.
This has been the good, the bad and the messy of styling wet hair.
Love Your Style, the VS Sassoon Team x