Why is My Hair Flat? 10 Things You’re Doing Wrong

Are you suffering from limp, lifeless hair? We think we know why! Flat hair can be caused by a variety of factors including always wearing the same parting, washing hair too much or not enough, and choosing haircuts that weigh down the hair. In this blog, our head of education Laura Elliott reveals 10 mistakes you’re probably making.

1. Rough towel-drying

You could be drying your hair all wrong! Rough towel-drying can make your hair cuticles lose their natural bounce, causing your hair to fall limp. Additionally, this can also cause breakage within your locks.  If you need to towel dry your hair as part of your hair care routine, gently dab instead of vigorously rubbing.

 2. Using hair oil

Build-up of natural oils in the hair is one of the main causes of flat hair. So, adding additional hair oil should only be used in moderation. Instead, use hair products that enhance volume, rather than restricting it, like our TEXTURE Spray. To use, section hair, shake the bottle and spray 20-30 cm away within each segment. Shop now: TEXTURE Dry Shampoo & Finishing Spray

3. Heavy haircuts

If your ends are dense, it can pull your hair down and cause it to look lank and lifeless. Some haircuts that cause flat hair are those with centre partings, thick bangs, blunt cuts and extremely long hair. If volume is the goal, avoid these styles and ask your stylist for their top advice.

4. Over-straightening

Straightening hair can have great results when done right. When using straighteners on your full head of hair, it can be easy to get carried away and use the tool too close to the scalp. This tames hair into staying limp against the head, preventing the natural shape of your roots. Using heat on your tresses without protection can also cause it to become dry and thin, so we would recommend always using a protective spray when straightening. Our GUARD solution can be used on wet or dry hair to provide a barrier against heat damage. Learn more: GUARD Heat Protection Spray

5. Washing hair too much or not enough

Going too long between hair washes can cause build-up of natural oils in the hair, weighing it down. At the same time, hair washing shouldn’t be too frequent, as this can strip hair almost completely of natural oils, causing your hair to fall flat. Hair’s natural oils should be kept in a natural balance, so there needs to be a happy medium. We would recommend washing hair every other day, or every two-three days depending on your hair type.

6. Hair type

More stylists in our hair salons report that clients bemoan their fine, thin hair than any other hair-related situation. Thin hair can be caused by a variety of factors including genetics, hormones, age and neglect. The result? Hair that stays stuck to your scalp. We’ve categorised some of our best products for flat hair, from shampoos to hairspray - find out more: Fine Hair Products

7. Hair drying mistakes

Hair drying in the wrong way forces flatness in your locks. This can happen if you dry your hair from above as this blows your hair directly against your head. In addition, using this motion all over the hair can reduce movement within your tresses, causing it to stay limp. Instead, mix it up and flip your head upside down. Find out more about our hair styling tool: HERØ Ionic Hairdryer

8. Wearing the same parting

Just because you have to tell your hairdresser where your parting is doesn’t mean you have to wear it there every day! Using the same parting over-and-over causes hair to stay trained either side of it. Over time, this can cause this hair to fall flat, leaving you with hair with no depth or volume at all.

9. Choosing the wrong shampoo

Many people use the wrong shampoo for their hair without realising. This can be because you don’t understand your hair type or aren’t entirely sure what exactly you want to achieve from your shampoo. We’d suggest using products like those in our AMPLIFY range which create the perfect base for your voluminous hair. Browse today: AMPLIFY Volumising Shampoo and Conditioner

10. Using the wrong brush

The brush you use could be hampering your hair! Flat brushes are incredibly popular, but they actually flatten your hair by pushing hair against the scalp. Brushes with widely spaced bristles should also be avoided, as they are unable to lift hair from the roots to create volume.

Now you’ve learnt what you’re doing wrong, look into what you can be doing right! We’ve written a blog all about how to achieve big and bouncy hair, making flat, limp locks a thing of the past. Read now: How to Get Volume in Hair