Best Way To Wash Your Hair
What is the proper way to wash your hair?
You might think that you know how to wash your hair correctly, after all, you’ve been doing it for years! But did you know that there are a lot of common mistakes that might be causing undesired results for your hair? You might be washing it the wrong way without realizing it, and it could be causing hair loss, hair breakage and might even be the reason why it gets oily after just one day of washing it! We all want beautiful hair that is also healthy and strong, and sometimes we spend hundreds of dollars on hair styling products to achieve the hair of our dreams, but what if we didn’t need a million different products? Today, we’re going in depth on how to properly wash your hair, so that you can get the strong, shiny hair you’ve always wanted!
1. Know your hair type.
This is the first step because you need to know which hair type you have to make sure that you’re using the right products. While sometimes, it’s not really about the shampoo and conditioner you’re using, but about how you’re using them instead, it also makes sense that you use products that are suited to your needs and designed to work with your hair type. Some products are formulated with special ingredients meant to work with your hair type, this will make detangling and styling much easier. Whether you have color-treated hair, thick hair, wavy hair, straight hair, dry hair, frizzy hair, thinning hair or fine hair, there are hundreds of different shampoos and conditioners specially designed for your hair type and concern, and those are the ones that you should be using. Take some time to choose the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair!
2. Don’t wash your hair every day
If there’s one thing that most hair experts agree on, it’s that washing your hair every single day is not recommendable. When you shampoo your hair every day, this will cause it to look dull and lose its natural luster. If you suffer from oily hair, then you might think that this is counter intuitive and you’ll probably be more inclined to washing it everyday compared with other hair types. However, if this is your case, it’s better to avoid washing too frequently because this will cause your scalp to produce even more oil. While the amount of time that it takes for your hair to look greasy or oily between washes depends on your hair type, shampooing and conditioning too often is one of the most common mistakes when it comes to learning how to wash hair. Try using dry shampoos in between washes instead!
3. Prep your hair before you wash it
One of the lesser-known hair washing tips that hairstylists swear by is having a pre hair wash routine. Before stepping into the shower, take a wide toothed comb or a paddle brush and take some time to brush your hair thoroughly. Taking time to do this step leaves your hair detangled and ready for washing. It will also substantially cut the time that you spend detangling after getting out of the shower. Think about it this way, if you go to apply your shampoo onto matted, tangled hair, it’s likely that the product won't distribute itself evenly throughout your entire head, and that by working it into your scalp, you’ll cause even more tangles to form. Not only that, but making sure that it’s detangled before shampooing and conditioning also helps protect hair from breakage and it stimulates your scalp, which encourages hair growth.
4. Wash your hair in hot or cold water?
You’ve probably asked yourself this question before: when I wash my hair, does it really matter if the water is hot or cold? The short answer: it does. Perhaps one of the oldest beauty myths is that you should be using cold water when showering and when rinsing your hair. We are not saying that all of your grandmother’s beauty tips are solid, but this one is! Exposing your hair to very warm water can leave it looking dry and dull, and it also causes color treated hair to lose its color faster than if you use cool water when it’s time to rinse your hair. Another plus? The cold water helps close the hair cuticle after applying and rinsing your shampoo and conditioner, and this can help you achieve shiny hair that looks silky smooth, so get ready to face the cold!
5. The wetter hair - the better!
One of the most overlooked steps in learning how to wash your hair correctly is making sure that you wet your hair enough for it to properly receive the product. Whether you are using regular shampoo or a special kind of hair care product, you won’t be seeing any positive results on your hair if you don’t prep it before application by making sure that it’s wet enough. First, we recommend using lukewarm water to wet your hair, because this will help the hair cuticle open up and receive the nutrients that your favorite shampoo and conditioners can provide. If your hair is not wet enough, the product simply will not take to your hair. After lathering or applying, make sure to rinse with plenty of water (bonus points if it’s cold!) to make sure that you are removing every last bit of the product.
6. Choose right amount of hair products
Another of the most common mistakes that people make when washing their hair is not using the right amount of each product. This can easily cause undesirable results that can lead to a lot of frustration and questioning the product when in fact the real issue lies in how much product is being applied. Of course, the ideal amount of product varies depending on your hair length and type, since longer and thicker hair will require more product than shorter, finer hair. A basic rule of thumb to use when you apply shampoo is to use the same amount as one nickel for finer, shorter hair; one quarter for medium length and thickness hair, and two quarters for longer, thicker hair. As for conditioner, you would usually use a smaller amount than the shampoo since it’s meant to go strictly on your ends.
7. Learn right washing technique
In some occasions, if you’re not seeing results with your hair care routine but are using the right products and the correct amount of them, there might be an issue in your hair washing technique. The way that you apply your shampoo and conditioner can affect the results. If you don’t spread the shampoo thoroughly throughout your scalp, then you might be left with hair that will look dirtier and greasy in a short amount of time because you’re not cleansing your scalp properly. Always use circular motions with the ends of your fingers to distribute the shampoo evenly, and try looking at your shampoo sessions as scalp massages! When conditioning your hair, the placement is important. You should actively avoid putting conditioner on the roots of your hair because this will leave it dull, make sure to apply it strictly to the ends instead.
9. Rinse your hair
A foolproof way to make sure that your hair won’t look dull and dirty after washing? Ensure that you are using enough water to rinse thoroughly after applying your hair products. If you don’t rinse out your shampoo or conditioner thoroughly by using plentiful amounts of water, then the residue will build up on your hair stands and scalp, causing your hair to look dull and lifeless. It will also leave it looking greasy or dirty within a much shorter amount of time between washes because of the product buildup. If you have a sensitive scalp or suffer from conditions like dermatitis, then you should be extra careful not to leave any residue on your hair since this can easily lead to a dandruff breakout which is no fun for anyone. Rinsing your hair properly after washing is the key to healthy, shiny hair!
10. Quality of the water
One of the most overlooked enemies of dream hair care is something that you might never have thought of: the quality of the water. Most people don’t think twice about considering the quality of the water coming out of their showerheads, but it might be what’s causing your hair to look dull, dry and brittle. A good idea to consider is investing in a water filter that can be easily attached to your shower. They aren’t very expensive and do a really good job at removing any bad chemicals or chlorine that can be lurking in your water pipes and hindering you from achieving your hair goals. Using filtered water when showering will not only cause a tremendous impact on your hair health and appearance, but there’s also an added benefit in that it’s great for your skin, too!
Start washing your hair!
By now, you should know all the do’s and don’t of washing your hair and applying conditioner, as well as how to treat your hair properly when you’re in the shower. These tips can greatly improve your hair, whether you have damaged hair, red hair, blond hair, brown hair, or have followed any other hair color trend, whether you have long hair, short hair… The hair of your dreams is in reach, and you don’t need any fancy hair masks or expensive hair oil to achieve it, you just have to wash your hair properly! Put these tips to the test and you’ll see how easy it was to get lush, healthy, strong hair. Make sure to use your favorite AYAM shampoo and conditioner combo for even better results!