Shampoo Habits To Break For Healthier Hair

The style gods have spoken, and 2025's hair and beauty trends are set. But if you want to keep up with New York Fashion Week's predictions for hair trends you'll see everywhere in spring 2025, it's vital to keep your strands looking their best. Healthy hair comes down to several factors, from getting the right nutrition to maintaining trims at the salon. Of course, the products you're using also play an important role in your hair's health, and of these, none is as vital as shampoo. The habits we uphold during that all-important hair wash can make or break how our tresses look and feel, so getting it right is imperative. 

In an exclusive chat with Glam, certified trichologist Penny James of the Penny James Trichology Center reveals that some common shampooing mistakes can leave your locks worse for wear. The key takeaway is that there's a tried-and-tested process when it comes to washing your hair. "Make sure your head is entirely wet, soaking wet," James advises us, adding that the amount of shampoo you need will depend on your hair length. "Now apply the shampoo all over your head. Use your fingertips to massage shampoo all over the head; do not forget to massage all over your scalp. Your head should be lovely and sudsy; now rinse well." James suggests finishing off with conditioner to hydrate your hair. 

That said, James warns that people tend to make mistakes when it comes to selecting their shampoo and planning their hair-wash schedule, noting, "More often, it is because you're not washing your hair enough or not correctly," which can lead to issues such as an "oily scalp" and "dull hair."

Everybody has different hair, so no single shampoo works for everyone, and on the flip side, Penny James confirms that some shampoos aren't good for anyone. "NoPoo is the perfect example," she says. "The product does not contain properties to cleanse the scalp and hair." Getting familiar with the ingredients you should avoid in your hair products is a good place to start if you're narrowing down your search for the perfect shampoo, but James shares exclusively with Glam that it's also important to tailor your shampoo choice to your hair type.

"For hair types that are kinky [or] coily, the hair gets very dry, yet the roots and scalp can often be oily or feel dry and itchy," she notes. "Hydrate the hair with a hydrating shampoo with coconut oil ingredients." For example, the Soapbox Coconut Oil Shampoo is highly rated and free of silicone, parabens, and sulfates. Meanwhile, those with fine or thin hair might want to steer clear of heavy shampoos that weigh down their locks, and those with oily hair should avoid "heavy oils like castor oil, argan oil, or coconut oil" in their shampoo. John Frieda's Volume Lift Weightless Shampoo comes highly rated for fine or thinning hair, while Tea Tree's Special Shampoo could be a solid choice for oily locks.

If you're having trouble figuring out your hair type, James suggests asking your stylist, and this advice also applies to shampoo recommendations. "It is very confusing with all the shampoos on the market, and sometimes it take a few tries to get it right," she tells us. Above all, it's important to stay away from shampoo that doesn't adequately clean the scalp from sweat, oil, and dirt, regardless of your hair type.

The no-shampoo movement has certainly — and unfortunately — gained traction thanks to social media, but we know what happens when you go too long between hair washes: a buildup of bacteria and dead skin cells. Penny James agrees that not washing your hair enough is a huge shampoo mistake that can affect the growth and look of your locks. "Keeping your scalp clean is critical for your hair follicles and hair," she tells Glam exclusively. "Shampooing your hair regularly with the correct shampoo will help keep your scalp clean, make your hair look fuller and healthy, and keep a shine on the hair shaft." 

The exact frequency with which you should be washing your hair varies according to your hair type, but James suggests aiming for four washes per week as a standard. Lifestyle factors can also play a role here; if you're in an environment where you're exposed to excessive dirt or chemicals — think a lifeguard in a chlorinated pool — you'll want to wash it every day. Similarly, James advises more frequent washing if you have a naturally oily scalp, and she believes that you really need to wash your hair after every sweaty workout. At a minimum, you can wash your hair once a week if you have thicker or drier hair that could do with less frequent washing, but generally, James adds that you should shampoo your hair twice while you're in the shower if it's your only hair wash of the week.