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Have you ever wondered why going to the salon to get a hair wash makes your hair feel cleaner? Well, I’ve learned during my hair experience with hairstylists that washing your hair is similar to cleansing your skin. The process of washing my hair, though, is something I both enjoy and detest. Revamping my hair in a single day can be overwhelming with all the required items, accessories, and suggested actions.
For years, I’ve been trying to find the right and convenient routine that will keep my hair looking lovely and healthy without requiring me to spend the entire day in a salon and in front of the mirror. But I’ve discovered that the best way to cut through the confusion about what you should and shouldn’t be doing with your hair is to listen to advice from knowledgeable professionals. I’ve had my fair share, so here I’ll offer some comprehensive hair wash tips and fundamentals that I picked up from a hairstylist.
1. Pick your hair products carefully
This is fundamental. You don’t choose your products just on the basis of how nice they smell. Choose the best shampoo for your type of hair. You could wind up doing more harm to your hair than good if you choose the wrong shampoo. You should use a mild clarifying shampoo if you have fine hair. Look for something hydrating if you have thick or coarse hair. If you have colored hair, seek a product that is color-safe and won’t wash your hair dye out every time. Look for a clarifying shampoo for bleached hair to avoid unwelcome yellow tones.
Photo Courtesy 2. Don’t wash your hair every day
Everyone should be aware of this. Your hair will lose its natural oils if you wash it every day, which will cause long-term damage and dryness. The ideal time to wash your hair, however, differs slightly based on your hair type just like it does with your shampoo. Dry hair may only need washing once or twice a week, while oily hair types may need to be washed every two to three days. In either case, allowing a few days between washes allows your hair’s natural oils time to function and maintain it healthily.
3. Employ the right water temperature
Both hot and cold temperatures are inappropriate for cleaning hair. Extremely cold or hot water will make washing your hair uncomfortable when it should be soothing. Both extremes will harm the strands. The optimum temperature for shampooing hair is warm water since it helps to open the cuticles and remove grime. When you rinse your conditioner off, use cold water if you want to seal the cuticles and leave your hair softer and shinier.
4. Scrub gently
Most people tend to scrub their scalps vigorously because they believe this will clean them more thoroughly. That is not necessary. My hairstylist told me that the hair is three times weaker when wet. Scrubbing vigorously or with your fingernails will tangle the hair strands, harm the cuticles, and cause you to lose more hair than is necessary. The most effective approach to scrub is to go in and use the tip of your fingers to softly rub in a side-to-side motion, not a circular motion.
5. The foaming doesn’t matter
Foaming is neither necessary nor is it a sign to show authenticity. There’s a foamy ingredient that certain brands use to make it seem like their shampoo product cleanses effectively. These brands include detergent and additives in conventional shampoos to give the impression that the product is more effective at cleaning. The truth is that excellent shampoos are available that clean hair while producing little to no foam if any at all.
6. After a good scrub, rinse thoroughly
My hairstylist insists that one of the most common errors people make is unintentionally leaving shampoo in their hair, which causes a buildup of debris on the scalp. So, it’s best to make sure there is no soap left in your hair by washing it for 1 to 2 minutes. Try rinsing your hair with cold water if you have dry hair because it keeps hair stronger and healthier. Your hair’s sebum layer, a naturally lubricated barrier that makes your hair strong and preserves it, is not dried out by cold water.
Photo: Allthingshair.com 7. Do not skip the drying process
After washing, towel-dry your hair. Don’t rub your hair dry; instead, squeeze or pat it. If possible, dry your hair with a microfiber towel or an old T-shirt. Your hair is more likely to suffer harm the rougher the material fiber is. Following towel drying, you can apply a detangler or hair protectant if desired.
8. Post-wash care is as critical as the wash itself
The first elements of your wash regimen, cleansing and detangling your hair, are crucial, but so are the subsequent styling steps. A moisturizing style cream should be part of your post-wash day routine to assist keep the hair healthy. An excellent styling cream, in my hairstylist’s opinion, will aid in maintaining the style created on your wash day by enhancing shine, hydrating, or adding definition where necessary.
In summary, however, if you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to your hair-washing routine. You might shampoo and condition your hair every day, or you might wait a few days in between washes. Either way, you probably don’t think much about it.
But the truth is, there is a right way and a wrong way to wash your hair. And if you’re not doing it the right way, you could be damaging your hair – and making it harder to style. In this case, helpful tips and tricks given by your hairstylist will help you avoid damage, keep your hair healthy, and make it easier to style.
