Hair Care Routine Are You Doing It Right or Following Hair Myths?
Most women follow hair routines based on tradition, not science. Learn from a professional stylist which habits are worth keeping—and which ones are holding your hair back.
As a professional hair stylist, I often hear clients describe their routines with confidence.
They shampoo twice, apply conditioner from mid-lengths to ends, use a hair mask twice a week, then finish with serum and oil. On the surface, it sounds like a great plan.
But often, those steps are based on long-standing habits rather than real understanding of what the hair and scalp truly need. Over time, small mistakes can add up—and one of the biggest is this:
Applying conditioner or mask only from the mid-lengths down.
This advice has been repeated for decades, usually to avoid greasiness or heaviness at the roots. But here’s the truth. The scalp is the only living part of the hair. It’s where each strand begins, where nutrients are absorbed, and where real growth happens.
When you skip the roots, you leave out the foundation.
Modern product formulations have come a long way. Many conditioners and masks are now designed to be lightweight and safe for use on the scalp. If chosen correctly, they can help balance oil production, hydrate the skin, and support healthy hair from the source.
Another common myth is the idea that daily washing causes hair damage or hair loss. In reality, the frequency of washing matters far less than the kind of shampoo you use. A harsh formula may strip the scalp, but a gentle, hydrating one can support daily cleansing without harm.
In fact, washing more often may be necessary if you exercise regularly, live in a polluted city, or have an oily scalp. Neglecting to wash often enough can lead to buildup, inflammation, and microbial imbalance—especially with microorganisms like Malassezia, which feed on oil and can cause irritation or hair thinning.
A healthy hair routine always starts with the scalp. That means understanding your specific needs rather than following generic advice. In my salon, I never give the same routine twice. Each one is tailored to the scalp condition, hair texture, lifestyle, and goals of the person in front of me.
So what should you focus on?
Cleanse with a shampoo suited to your scalp type. Apply conditioner—and, if needed, your mask—from root to tip. Treat your damp hair with a lightweight serum to protect and smooth. Once dry, finish with oil only on the mid-lengths and ends to add shine without weighing it down.
If you’ve been following the same steps for years and still feel like your hair isn’t improving, it may not be the product—it may be how you’re using it.
Because good hair isn’t just about what you apply. It’s about where, when, and why you apply it.
And it always begins at the root.
