There is something soothing about running your fingers through your hair.
The texture, the feel, the way it moves and twirls around your fingers.
I know, because I used to have this habit and I sometimes I catch myself twirling my curls or playing with my hair.
I always thought it was a harmless habit, but I was wrong.
Have you ever stopped to wonder if it’s bad to touch your hair a lot?
The answer might not be what you think.
In this post, I’ll cover why it’s not ideal to keep touching your hair and give you some tips to stop doing that.
These tips did work for me, so I hope they help you as well!
Let’s begin!
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Is it bad to touch your hair a lot? 2 Reasons why touching your hair isn’t going to help you:
1. It can add to dirt and product buildup
Firstly, let’s talk about the scientific aspect of hair.
Our hair is made up of a protein called Keratin – the same protein that’s also found in our nails and skin by the way.
Keratin is a miracle worker – it is what’s responsible for the strength, structure, and elasticity of our hair.
However, when we constantly touch our hair, we transfer oils, dirt, and bacteria from our hands onto our hair strands.
And this can cause a buildup of these substances which eventually damage the hair and cause breakage.
This is the same reason why people with acne (like me obviously) should also avoid touching the face because we can spread more bacteria and cause clogged pores and more acne.
I’ll talk about how to stop doing this especially if it’s a compulsive habit soon!
2. It can cause split ends and greasy hair
Constantly touching and pulling at our hair can also cause mechanical damage.
When you twist, twirl, or tug at your hair, you can put stress on the hair shaft, which can cause it to weaken and break.
This can lead to split ends, frizz, and overall damage to the hair.
Additionally, excessive touching of your hair can cause your scalp to overproduce excess sebum, leading to oily and greasy hair.
3. It displays nervousness
This is definitely not a negative reason for your hair.
But it is a sign of nervousness that almost anyone with basic information about reading body language will understand.
When you constantly touch your hair, it can be a sign of anxiety or nervousness.
I understand that this is a way for you to cope with the stress of releasing pent-up energy – because I too touch my hair when I am nervous.
But this is a distracting action and can prevent you from focusing on other tasks or conversations.
I remember joining a book club where each of us had to talk about a book we were reading and I was twirling my hair non-stop.
I caught myself doing it and stopped. I was nervous and it was obviously distracting the other members as well.
Again, I’m not saying this is an extremely bad habit.
But it is compulsive. And you need to be mindful – if you feel like you are overdoing it, then you may want to stop so that you can be more in control of your actions and not cause stress to your hair.
What are some ways we can stop ourselves from touching our hair?
Let’s find out!
How to Stop Touching Your Hair – 7 effective ways that have worked for me
It’s a common habit that can be hard to break – believe me when I say it’s hard.
It’s an action that just happens in the background and almost becomes involuntary for me.
So, here are some methods I used to help stop touching my hair.
1. Keep your hands busy
If I am working, my hands are always in front of me on the keyboard typing or drawing on the iPad.
If I am in a meeting or my hands are idle, I use something to fidget with so that my hands don’t wander up to my hair.
One of the main reasons why people keep touching their hair is because they need something to do with their hands.
So, keeping your hands occupied with some kind of stress ball or fidget toy will help a lot and provide you with a healthy outlet for your nervous energy.
I use a pen and like to play with it by moving it around with my fingers. Some people even use a coin. The choice is totally up to you!
2. Wear your hair back or up
If your hair is constantly falling on your face, you’re making it very hard for you to stop touching your hair.
However, if your hair is out of your face and style in a bun or a ponytail, you’re less likely to touch it.
Just don’t keep your hairstyles too tight because it can hamper hair growth.
I usually tie my hair up very loosely in a satin scrunchy and this helps me not touch my hair.
You can experiment with different hairstyles that are both practical and stylish.
3. Use hair accessories
I do this now when I go out.
Earlier, I’d wear my hair in a side parting and keep playing with my bangs.
Now, I tie the front of my hair back with claw clips like this:
Since I have a habit of playing with the front portions of my hair, I’ve basically put an end to it.
Headbands, clips, and scrunchies can not only add some flair to your style, but they are going to prevent you from touching your hair!
And they come in so many beautiful colors!
I recently bought some gold-colored ones and I love them so much!
4. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is a form of meditation that basically means being present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts and feelings.
When you feel the urge to touch your hair, take a deep breath and try to identify the underlying emotion that is driving the behavior.
I have been practicing mindfulness a lot this year and it’s really helped me understand why I do a lot of things like eat when I’m bored or play with my hair or touch my face.
This brings me to my next point!
5. Be aware of your triggers
Pay attention to when you are most likely to touch your hair.
Is it when you’re nervous, bored, stressed, or tired?
Identify that.
Once you identify your triggers, you can take steps to avoid or manage them.
For instance, I touch my hair when I’m anxious or I’m in deep thought.
6. Seek support from friends and family
Let your friends and family know that you’re trying to break the habit of touching your hair.
They can hold you accountable and provide support when you’re struggling.
They can also point it out when you’re unconsciously touching your hair and you’ll be able to get a clearer picture of how often you’re doing it and when.
7. Practice relaxation techniques
If touching your hair is a sign of anxiety and nervousness, practicing relaxation techniques like:
- Meditation
- Journaling
- Deep breathing
- Yoga
can actually help.
I do all of these and I feel very relaxed and better equipped to handle the day.
Even doing calming activities like reading, walking, and listening to music can help ease your mood and make you feel very relaxed and calm.
These are all activities that everyone should be doing honestly – and I now space them out during the day so that I can be more mindful and relaxed.
By doing this, you are actually solving the root of the problem.
Conclusion
Remember, breaking the habit of touching your hair is a process that takes time and effort.
It’s after all a habit that you’ve built over months or years.
So, please be gentle with yourself and celebrate your progress along the way.
Focus on reducing it at first and then eventually stopping.
With persistence and determination, you are going to overcome this habit and feel more confident and in control!
I hope this helps!
Here are a few more posts you may enjoy:
- 5 Steps to Revive Second-Day Curls (Quickly and Easily)
- Should I Wet My Hair Before Cutting? All You Need to Know
- 12 Surprising Benefits of Rose Water for Hair + How to Use It
- 11 Genuine Reasons Why Your Hair is Sticky after Washing
- 9 Reasons Why One Side of Your Hair Grows Faster
- Can Black People Have Red Hair? [+ Photo Evidence]
- 10 Disney Princesses with Black Hair
- How to Make Curtain Bangs Last All Day Easily
- 7 Best Hair Colors for Brown Skin (Indian Girl)
- 9 Reasons Why Your Curly Hair is Becoming Wavy (+How to Fix it)
- 7 Real Reasons Why Your Hair is Getting Shorter Without Cutting It
