5 Things I Did Wrong When I Was Trying to Regrow My Hair

For a long time, I was stuck in a frustrating cycle of hair loss and regrowth. Every time I thought things were improving, the shedding would start again. I became obsessed with finding the right products, the right routine — anything that could help my hair grow back stronger.

But despite all my effort, nothing seemed to work. My scalp felt off, my hair was dull and lifeless, and my confidence was slipping. Looking back, I realize I was unintentionally making things worse. The truth is, I didn’t understand what my scalp and hair actually needed to regrow — I was focused on “doing more” instead of doing the right things.

Here are the main mistakes I made when I was trying to regrow my hair, and what I learned from each one.

1. I Washed My Hair Infrequently

I thought washing my hair less often would help me “retain” the little growth I had, and that shampooing too much would lead to hair loss. What actually happened? Product buildup, clogged follicles, and an itchy scalp.

When you don’t wash your hair regularly, oil, sweat, and dirt accumulate on your scalp — suffocating your follicles and creating an environment that’s not ideal for growth. A clean scalp is a healthy scalp, and healthy hair starts there.

Lesson learned: Regular cleansing is non-negotiable. Even if you have braids, protective styles, or dry hair, your scalp still needs to be cleaned consistently. I currently wash my hair 3 times a week because of my workout schedule. We recommend that you wash your hair at least once a week.

How often should you wash your hair? Click to find out

2. I Overloaded My Hair with Oil

I genuinely believed that more oil meant more benefit. I would drench my scalp in a scalp oil and put enough oil in my hair that, make no mistake, was NOTICEABLE. All because I thought this was the way to nourish my scalp and hair

Too much oil without proper washing does more harm than good. Oils can attract dirt and dust, trap sweat, and create buildup that blocks your follicles. Plus, if your scalp isn’t clean, oil just sits on top — it doesn’t penetrate or do any real work.

How much oil is too much oil? Click here to find out

Lesson learned: Oils are meant to seal in moisture, not replace it. And scalp oils should be used in moderation. There is no need to drown your hair or scalp in oil.

3. I Mixed My Own Scalp Oil (Poorly)

DIY sounded like the ultimate self-care move — I could control what went into my products and make them “more natural.” The problem? I had no idea what proportions were safe or effective. I mixed potent essential oils with carrier oils in random amounts, thinking more was better. Spoiler: it’s not.

Essential oils can be irritating and even cause inflammation if used too strongly, which is the opposite of what your scalp needs when you’re trying to regrow hair.

Lesson learned: Scalp formulations are chemistry. If you don’t have the right balance, you can easily throw off your scalp’s health. It’s worth investing in well-formulated, tested products instead of playing chemist at home. I saw more regrowth in the 6 months that I used the Scalp Elixir compared to the 6 years of DIY formulations I was trying out.

Click here for how to scalp oil for SUCCESS

4. I Avoided Using “Too Much” Shampoo

Somehow, I convinced myself that shampoo was the enemy — that the more I used, the more hair I’d lose. So I would use juuuuust enough but honestly, my scalp was never really clean.

But now I know that shampoo isn’t what causes hair loss; an unhealthy scalp is. By not cleansing properly, I was allowing buildup to stay behind, weakening my roots and stunting growth.

Lesson learned: Use the right type of shampoo for your hair — gentle, sulfate-free if needed — but use enough to actually clean your scalp. These days I shampoo like a salon visit, its rich and foamy and my scalp always feels airy but hydrated. Clean doesn’t mean stripped.

Click here for the ultimate guide to choosing your perfect shampoo and conditioner

5. I Didn’t Protect My Hair at Night

I would go to bed without a satin bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase, completely unaware of how much damage that was causing. Cotton pillowcases absorb moisture and cause friction, leading to breakage, dryness, and split ends.

I would wake up to tangled, dry hair and wonder why it seemed to be thinning or breaking so easily.

Lesson learned: Nighttime care is as important as your wash day. Protect your hair with a satin or silk bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase to retain moisture and reduce friction. Personally, I can’t deal with a scarf or bonnet, so I opt for satin pillowcase instead (which is also good for my facial skin :) )

The Turning Point

Once I started cleansing my scalp regularly, using the right amount of product, and sticking to a simple, consistent routine, my hair transformed. It wasn’t an overnight miracle, but over time, my scalp became healthier, my strands stronger, and my hair started to thrive again.

If you’re on your regrowth journey, don’t make the same mistakes I did. Focus on a clean, nourished scalp, balance your moisture and oils, and be patient. Hair growth is a marathon, not a sprint — and it starts with healthy habits, not hacks.