Let’s be honest: wanting long, healthy hair and actually getting it are two different things. You can spend money on fancy oils, do all the trendy challenges, and still feel like your hair is stuck at the same length—or worse, breaking off. Why? Because real hair growth isn't just about what you add to your routine. It’s also about what you stop doing.
In this post, we’ll dive into the five most common mistakes women make when trying to grow their hair—and more importantly, how to fix them.
1. Over-Washing Your Hair
You might think that washing your hair more often means keeping it fresh and healthy, but this can actually do more harm than good. Over-washing strips the scalp of its natural oils, which are essential for keeping your hair moisturized and protected. When those oils are constantly washed away, your strands become dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage.
How to Fix It:
Start by cutting back to washing your hair no more than 2-3 times a week. On the days you skip shampoo, use a gentle, sulfate-free co-wash or simply rinse with water to refresh your scalp. For added support, consider using a shampoo bar with nourishing ingredients like shea butter or rosemary oil—they’re gentler and more concentrated than liquid shampoos.
Pro Tip: If your hair gets oily fast, it might be reacting to too much washing. Give your scalp a few weeks to rebalance, and you’ll likely notice less grease over time.
2. Using Harsh Hair Products
From cheap drugstore shampoos to alcohol-heavy gels, harsh hair products are everywhere. They often contain ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and drying alcohols that can wreak havoc on your hair health—especially if you already struggle with breakage or dryness. These products might give your hair a quick “fresh” look, but they’re damaging in the long run.
How to Fix It:
Switch to clean, nourishing products that are free from sulfates and parabens. Go for aloe vera, coconut oil, argan oil, and of course, rosemary oil—known for stimulating hair growth. And always check the label: if the first few ingredients are hard to pronounce or sound like chemicals, that’s a red flag.
The Velanico Shampoo Bar is a great alternative if you’re looking for something that’s gentle, eco-friendly, and loaded with hair-loving nutrients.
3. Heat Styling Damage
We all love the look of freshly flat-ironed or curled hair, but regular heat styling is one of the biggest culprits behind slow or stagnant hair growth. Why? Because high heat weakens the hair shaft, causing it to split, break, and ultimately stunt your length goals.
How to Fix It:
Try protective styles like braids, twists, or buns to reduce your heat use without sacrificing style. When you do use heat, make sure to apply a high-quality heat protectant and never go above 375°F (190°C). Also, invest in tools with adjustable temperature settings—your hair doesn’t need max heat to hold a curl.
And don’t sleep on the power of a good bonnet! The Velanico Bonnet helps protect your hair from friction and moisture loss overnight, especially when you’re giving your hair a break from heat tools.
4. Poor Diet
Hair is made of keratin, a protein. So if you’re not feeding your body what it needs, your hair will reflect that. Poor nutrition, especially a lack of protein, iron, biotin, and other essential vitamins, can lead to slow hair growth and even hair loss.
How to Fix It:
Start by adding more whole foods to your meals: leafy greens, nuts, seeds, lean protein, and fruits rich in vitamin C. Hydration also plays a huge role, so drink plenty of water throughout the day.
If you struggle to get all your nutrients from food, consider supplementing with hair-friendly vitamins. Our Velanico Hair Growth Gummies are specially formulated to target the key nutrients your hair needs most—and they taste delicious, too.
5. Scalp Neglect
Most people focus all their attention on their hair strands, but healthy hair growth starts at the scalp. Think of your scalp like the soil in a garden—if it’s dry, clogged, or irritated, nothing’s going to grow well. Scalp neglect can lead to buildup, inflammation, and weak roots that make it harder for your hair to thrive.
How to Fix It:
Create a weekly scalp care ritual. This might include a gentle exfoliating scrub, a stimulating scalp massage, or applying a nutrient-rich oil like rosemary oil. Not only does this improve blood circulation (which feeds the hair follicles), but it also clears away buildup that can clog pores and block growth.
Velanico Rosemary Scalp Oil is a favorite for a reason—it’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, and packed with powerful ingredients that nourish your scalp and promote longer, stronger hair.
Final Thoughts
Hair growth isn’t just about what you do—it’s also about what you stop doing. From over-washing to harsh products, heat styling damage, poor diet, and scalp neglect, these common mistakes can silently sabotage your hair journey. Start small. Swap your shampoo, rethink your heat routine, feed your body well, and give your scalp the love it deserves. With time, consistency, and the right habits, longer, healthier hair is possible.
