Style Hair Hair Care These Common Wet Hair Mistakes Are Damaging Your Strands Here's how to care for wet hair and what not to do after washing. By Maggie Seaver Maggie Seaver Maggie Seaver is the digital health and wellness editor at Real Simple, with seven years of experience writing lifestyle and wellness content. She spends her days writing and editing stories about sleep, mental health, fitness, preventive health, nutrition, personal development, relationships, healthy habits, and beyond. She loves demystifying complicated health topics, debunking wellness fads, and sharing practical, science-backed solutions for healthy living. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 15, 2024 Photo: Soumen Hazra/Getty Images Adopting a good hair care regimen is important. As carefully and lovingly as you should treat dry tresses with the right brush and hairstyle, wet hair requires even more TLC as wet (or damp) hair is especially fragile. Scientifically speaking, when hair gets wet, the proteins that make up each strand (keratin) form weaker hydrogen bonds, rendering it more susceptible to damage from being pulled, stretched, bent, or otherwise roughly handled. Also, wet hair doesn't snap back into place as dry hair does; any stretching bends the cuticle (the flexible shield holding all of these keratin proteins) out of place, which causes your hair to look and feel damaged. Keep reading to learn how to avoid wet hair damage and keep those dampened locks strong, healthy, and luscious with wet hair care tips from the experts. Siobhán Quinlan is the creative director, stylist, and colorist at Art + Autonomy Salon in New York City. Helen Reavey is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Act + Acre. 01 of 10 Brushing Wet Hair Romilly Lockyer / Getty Images Brushing your hair out when it's dry will decrease the likelihood of breakage when removing challenging tangles created throughout the day or night. "I always brush my hair before the shower, when it's dry, to get the knots out," says stylist and colorist Siobhán Quinlan. Post-shower, you should comb your wet strands with a wide-tooth comb, or use a wet hair brush when hair is damp. 02 of 10 Using an Inappropriate Brush Various hairbrushes. Beth Galton/Photolibrary/Getty Images It's OK—and often necessary—to detangle wet hair, as long as you use the correct type of brush. Quinlan loves The Flex Brush ($26, theflexbrush.com), which has soft boar and nylon bristles, bends with the hair to avoid painful snags, and works for all hair types and textures, as well as on both wet and dry hair. Another favorite of Quinlan's, which is more of a splurge, is the Yves Durif Vented Hairbrush ($90, violetgrey.com). 03 of 10 Brushing Aggressively fotolgahan/Getty images Your technique when brushing wet hair matters. Avoid aggressively brushing damp hair to remove knots. "When hair is wet, it's more likely to break, so you want to be gentle and don't want to tear at your hair," says Quinlan. "And if your hair has been highlighted, you want to be especially careful with it when it's wet. Always start from the ends and work your way up while holding the section of hair you're working on in your hand." Quinlan adds that when brushing wet hair, it's good to use a leave-in conditioner or detangler to minimize snags and smooth locks. One of her favorites is the UNITE Hair 7SECONDS Detangler Leave-In Conditioner ($38, amazon.com). 04 of 10 Mishandling Wet Hair Aliyev Alexei Sergeevich / Getty Images You may have heard you're not supposed to use a regular terry cloth towel on wet hair, but Quinlan explains it's more about how you handle hair versus what you use to dry it. "Some people believe a cotton T-shirt is the best thing to use, and there are lots of fancy [microfiber] towels out there," Quinlan says. "But I don't think it's as much what you use as how you use it. You don't want to rough up your hair—rather than rubbing, gently squeeze the moisture out." 05 of 10 Using Hot Tools on Wet Hair Hit Stop Media/Getty Images This is a major hair don't. It's best to keep curling irons, straighteners, and other heated tools for dry hair only, with no exceptions. "This is so scary! You'll damage your hair," Quinlan warns. "All that heat will pretty much boil the water on your hair—you're basically cooking your hair. Not something you want to do." 06 of 10 Putting Wet Hair Up With a Ponytail Holder Guido Mieth/Getty Images Hair's elasticity changes as it goes from wet to dry—essentially, the strand shrinks as it dries, Quinlan explains. "If you try to put it up with a ponytail holder when it's wet, it can break at the band," Quinlan says. "If you're desperate to put it up before it's dry, it's best to use hair pins or a clip." 07 of 10 Blow-Drying Wet Hair Soumen Hazra/Getty Images This mistake isn't so much about hair damage as it is about styling efficiency—but it's still good to keep in mind. Even the best blow dryer will have to work extra hard (and extra long) on soaking wet hair. "Blow drying dripping wet hair will just take longer," Quinlan says. "Hair takes its shape from damp to dry, so I usually tell people to either towel dry it really well or tell people to let it air dry a little [before blow-drying]." 08 of 10 Applying Oils and Serums Too Late Prostock-Studio / Getty Images To get the maximum benefit from oils and serums, you'll want to apply them while your hair is still wet. "Think of your scalp and hair as an extension of your face," says celebrity hairstylist Helen Reavey. "Add products that need to lock in moisture like oil and serums to the scalp and hair when it's wet." 09 of 10 Waiting to Start Straightening CoffeeAndMilk/Getty Images If you're looking to straighten your locks, start when your hair is still slightly damp so it stays straighter longer, Reavey says. "When the hair is wet the bonds are broken and as the hair dries the bonds fix. If you let it air dry to a wavy state, it's very hard to get the hair to dry straight." 10 of 10 Using the Wrong Water Temperature A hot shower might seem like a good idea, but warm water is the way to go for your skin's sake. Glaze Image/Shutterstock A hot shower is relaxing, but hot water on your hair isn't that great. You should always wash your hair with lukewarm water. While it may be an unpleasant way to end a shower, a quick blast of cold water post-conditioning will seal the hair cuticle and prevent further damage. Frequently Asked Questions Can you sleep with wet hair? Wet hair at bedtime can result in more than just major bedhead. According to Reavey, your hair becomes more elastic and can break if you go to bed with a wet head. Medically speaking, you could end up with yeast growth that could cause scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. If you don't have time to fully dry your hair before you go to sleep, towel dry it as best you can or sleep with it in a gentle braid so it's loose enough to air dry. Can you dye or bleach wet hair? Short answer: It depends, Reavey says. Some toners and semi-permanent dyes are designed to work on wet hair, but bleach and permanent dyes are definite no-nos. When in doubt, read the manufacturer's instructions for the color product before you apply, or have it done by a professional. What are some wet hairstyling ideas I can try when I don't have time to dry it? Braids are a great option, Reavey suggests. She also twists her hair when it's damp, which helps protect the hair, prevents frizz, and creates a nice wave. You can also use a silk scrunchie or spiral hair tie and sleep with a high bun at the top of your head for gorgeous waves in the morning. Should I use hairspray on wet hair for volume? Hairspray and wet hair do not mix. Hairspray can make wet hair sticky and lead to damage and breakage, Reavey says. If you want to apply product to wet hair, look for thickening or volume sprays designed for wet hair. You can also opt for a mousse that will give you more volume without the crunchy texture. There Are 4 Types of Hair Damage—Here’s How to Treat Each of Them Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit