Wash, shampoo, condition, rinse, dry, repeat. Simple. We all do this cycle often and what can go wrong in it? Well, nothing can go wrong in it, but is it being done the right way is what’s to be considered.
Let’s have a look at the steps to wash your hair the right way:
Before Hair wash :
Take few drops of argan oil in your palm and gently massage it on your scalp for few mins to treat dry rough and frizzy hair. Gentle brush your hair to get rid of any knots or tangles. Leave the oil for an for an hour before you wash your hair.
Step 1: Rinse your hair with plain water
This step is very important to begin with, because working with a dry surface will make it harder to get the shampoo off.
It is advisable to use warm water and not hot water (even though hot water seems way more soothing to your head and body), because hot water will weaken the hair and open up the pores, making it easier for the hair to fall out. It can also make the hair dry, brittle and frizzy, stripping the moisture away, which can cause hair breakage. Therefore, using lukewarm water to wash your hair is ideal. It will loosen up product build up, dirt and grime, while also preserving the hair’s natural oils and keep the scalp hydrated and moisturized and also allow deeper penetration of the shampoo.
Step 2: Shampoo your hair evenly
Once your hair is nice and wet, shampoo your hair evenly and don’t let it fall like a blob in only one area. It would be better to use most of the shampoo evenly on your scalp first and the remaining on your hair, as the scalp is oiler than the hair itself. When water is poured, the shampoo will anyways seep down to the entire length of the hair. READ MORE – HOMEMADE NATURAL SHAMPOO RECIPES for hair growth
At this stage you could also dilute one part of shampoo with one part of water before using it on your hair, as most shampoos are made with chemicals like sulfates that can strip the hair of its natural oils and can also result in hair fall if used too often. So, to reduce over-exposure to these chemicals, but also get the desired hair wash results, diluting your shampoo with water before use can help reduce the effects of the chemicals, but also wash your hair, retaining some of the hair’s natural oils which are required for the hair.
Tip:
- Do not mix the water into the entire bottle of shampoo. Only mix as much as you want to use for one wash, in the palm of your hand or into a mug.
Step 3: Lather your hair and massage your scalp
Use a scalp massager to scrub your scalp. Use circular motions, so you can also promote blood circulation in the scalp. This step is important because bacteria, dirt and grime collects on the scalp and can lead to scalp infections and dandruff build up, in the long run, if not washed away properly. This process will also make you feel like you are giving yourself a head massage, while you lather up your tresses as well (right through the whole length of your hair until the tips).
Step 4: Rinse off the shampoo thoroughly
This step is important, as no shampoo should be left behind on the scalp or hair. Use sufficient water, remove all the shampoo and gently squeeze your hair to get out the excess water, to prepare your hair for conditioning.
Step 5: Condition your hair
Unlike the shampooing part where you start with your scalp, for the conditioning, you start with your hair strands and work your way up, so that the conditioner soaks into the hair shafts properly.
Lather a little conditioner in your palms and gently run your hands through your hair and leave it on for 5 to 6 minutes. Then rinse off with lukewarm water or cold water, until all the conditioner has got washed off properly.
Step 6: T-shirt Hair Drying
It is best if you could simply squeeze out the excess water with your hands and pat dry your hair with a towel and then let it dry naturally. At this stage the hair roots are extremely weak and fragile and therefore it is not advisable to wring your hair up into a towel. A lot of people tie up their wet hair into a towel, once they come out from a head shower. This practice can cause you to have hair fall. Use a soft t-shirt to gently wipe off the water and then wrap the hair around with the t-shirt to enhance your curls.
Also remember not to comb out wet hair, as it will cause your hair to break or fall out easily.
Tip: It is advisable to oil your hair at least once a week and let the oil sit for around 30 minutes before you can wash it off. This will help improve your hair condition, texture and strengthen the hair right from its roots, making it more smooth, shiny and manageable. READ MORE – Overnight Hot oil Haircare for faster and thicker hair growth