We grow up taking care of our hair a certain way without ever giving it a second thought as to whether it is the correct way or not. And so the habits form. We all want great hair, but are we willing to change some habits in order to ensure that happens? The thing about hair habits is that they are usually hard to break, but on the other hand, your hair is very easily broken! So what’s a girl to do? The first step is to see if there are better ways to handle that delicate mane of yours. From simple up-dos to your regular shower routine, check out these seven damaging hair habits you need to change as soon as possible.

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#1: Brushing Tangled Locks From Roots to Ends

The obvious way to brush hair may seem to move from top to bottom: right? Wrong. If you’re prone to tangly hair, you’ll want to work from the bottom up to ensure each knot is brushed out with the least amount of damage possible, as opposed to pushing each knot onto each other. Grab a wide-toothed comb and begin with the lower sections to avoid unnecessary hair loss.

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#2: Trying to Dry Soppy Wet Hair

There are two ways in which you shouldn’t try to dry super wet hair: with your towel or with a hairdryer. Yes, we’re all guilty of it sometimes but it’s best to quit rubbing your towel over your tresses like you’re trying to light a fire with two twigs. It causes unnecessary friction. Try using a cotton T-shirt or something less abrasive to blot your hair dry if you must. As for hairdryers, avoid reaching for it until your hair is 50-60% dry before applying the heat tool to finish it off.

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#3: Brushing Your Hair Too Often

Is brushing your hair too much of a good thing? Perhaps. It’s time to say goodbye to the 100 strokes before bedtime habit that our mothers instilled in us. Constant brushing, especially if done vigorously, can lead to extra damage for both the scalp and your tresses. Take extra caution if you have curly hair, as brushing too often unfolds those curly-Qs of yours. And to top it all off, if you’ve heard that you need to brush to distribute the natural oils you can toss the theory to the wind. Dry hair is a result of lack of moisture, not oils.