Perhaps you have never heard that there is a right and wrong way to wash your hair. If you do it right, your hair will feel and look healthy and shiny. This article will show you!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Shampoo
Step 1. Choose a shampoo that contains a moisturizer if your hair is coarse or curly
For this type of hair, you need a shampoo that can increase the moisture in your hair. Shampoos containing glycerin, panthenol, or shea butter can be good choices for coarse or frizzy hair because they provide added moisture to the hair.
Step 2. Try a volume-boosting shampoo if you have fine and/or thin hair
For hair like this, you'll need a shampoo that gives your hair volume without making it limp. You should choose a "clear" shampoo. If you can't see through the bottle, don't buy it.
Avoid products with ingredients such as sodium chloride or polyethylene glycol. Both of these chemicals are used as thickeners, but can cause dry and brittle hair
Step 3. Choose a shampoo with silicone if your hair is curly or wavy
If you have hair like this, it's best to use a moisturizing shampoo, but try to choose products that also contain silicone. This shampoo will give your curls the moisture they need so they can rock well, and at the same time won't absorb too much moisture and leave your hair feeling shiny.
Step 4. If your hair is normal, you can experiment with a mild shampoo
“Normal” hair (also known as medium or balanced hair) allows you to use any type of shampoo you want. However, make sure you don't choose a shampoo that can strip your hair of its natural oils. White tea shampoo can be a good choice.
Avoid shampoos that contain the following compounds: ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and sodium lauryl sulfate. They are all harsh detergents that will strip your hair of its natural moisture and make it dry
Step 5. Use a volume-controlling shampoo if you have very thick hair
For thick hair, you should give volume to the roots, not the ends and make sure that the hair has enough moisture.
Look for products with avocado or macadamia nut oil, which can add volume in the right places while moisturizing
Step 6. Choose a shampoo with keratin if you have dry or damaged hair
For dry hair, or if it's damaged for some reason (e.g. dyeing, using heat or excessive hair products), look for a shampoo that contains keratin. Keratin acts as a super moisturizer which will help repair the hair.
Don't use products that contain certain alcohols, as they can dry out your hair further. If your hair is dry or damaged, avoid products with cetaryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, and stearyl alcohol
Step 7. Use a vitamin-rich shampoo if your hair is colored
To keep hair color bright and shiny, look for shampoos that contain vitamins E and A. Shampoos for color-treated hair are usually specially formulated and gentler than regular shampoos.
Step 8. Try a shampoo with tea tree oil if you have oily hair
In fact, oily hair is the result of increased oil production to compensate for a dry scalp. Tea tree oil helps treat dry scalp problems thereby preventing the body from producing too much oil.
Step 9. Choose the scent you like
The easiest part of choosing a shampoo is finding a scent that you like. However, try to consider the work and school environment when making your choice. Some people are sensitive to certain scents. If you or a colleague have this sensitivity, look for an unscented product.
Part 2 of 3: Washing Hair
Step 1. Wet hair
Before using shampoo, make sure your hair is completely wet. Wet hair with hot water will help open the cuticles and release the oil stuck to the hair.
- Rinse hair for at least 1 minute. This will allow the water to loosen the dirt stuck to your hair and make it easier for the shampoo to absorb the nutrients.
- While it's recommended to wet your hair with hot water, you should lower the temperature slightly once you're ready to wash your hair. Washing your hair in hot water can damage it.
Step 2. Use the right amount of shampoo
If you pour shampoo larger than the size of a $100 coin, it means too much. Using a $100 coin-sized amount of shampoo will suffice, unless you have very thick or very long hair. If the hair is very thick and long, you can double the amount. It's best not to use a handful of shampoo, no matter how thick or long your hair is.
Step 3. Rub the shampoo all over your hair
When you wash your hair, all you really need to do is rub the shampoo into your roots and the nape of your hair, then spread it all the way to the ends of your hair. In other words, don't apply shampoo to the ends of your hair and distribute it from the bottom up.
If your hair is longer than your shoulders, first dampen the ends of your hair to keep your hair healthy
Step 4. Don't scrub your hair hard
When shampooing your hair, use gentle movements. Avoid circular motions, even if it feels like something natural when washing your hair. We recommend using an up and down motion with your fingertips.
Step 5. Rinse hair with cold water
Just as you wet your hair with hot water to help open the cuticles and prepare them for shampooing, use cold water for the final rinse. Cold water will close the cuticles and lock in moisture. In addition, cold water also makes hair healthy and shiny.
Step 6. Apply conditioner from the middle to the ends of the hair
If you use conditioner after shampooing, don't apply it all over your hair. This will make your hair limp and greasy, especially at the roots. Instead, apply conditioner in the middle to the ends of the hair.
In general, you should use conditioner every time you wash your hair. If your hair is heat-damaged or over-dyed, you may need to try a deep conditioning treatment once a week in addition to your normal conditioner
Step 7. Dry your hair with a towel
After washing your hair, dry it with a towel to absorb excess water and let it dry naturally. This is the best way to avoid hair damage.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Hair Between Shampooing Schedules
Step 1. Use a hair protection product if you are using heat
If you must use heat to dry your hair, either because you want to style it a certain way or are in a hurry, use a protective product first. This will prevent the heat from the dryer or straightener from damaging your hair.
Some good protective products are thermal setting mists, heat protection sprays, or gels formulated to control heat and humidity
Step 2. Give your hair a chance to rest
How often a good hair wash schedule varies from person to person, depending on your hair type and your comfort in leaving your hair slightly greasy. In general, you can shampoo your hair every other day.
If you don't want to shampoo your hair, but need a fresh look, rinse with water. This will remove dirt and oil without risking dry hair from overwashing
Step 3. Use dry shampoo
If your hair feels a little greasy, but you want to delay shampooing, try a dry shampoo. This product absorbs oil in the hair, making it look fresh for longer.
- Start by spraying the hairlines around the face (be careful not to get in the eyes).
- Then, divide the hair into 2-4 sections, using your index finger and moving it back and forth from left ear to right.
- In each section, divide the hair into 2.5 to 5 cm parallel sections. Spray dry shampoo on the hair roots from each section.
- Spread the spray all over your hair using your fingertips, from roots to tips. Otherwise, you look as if you have gray or white hair roots. After that, comb your hair.
Tips
- To reduce hair loss, use a wide-toothed brush, and gently comb your hair before showering.
- Leave the conditioner in your hair for about 30 seconds to 1 minute before rinsing it off. That way, the hair will be very soft.
- After massaging the shampoo into your hair, let it sit for 1-5 minutes, massage again, then rinse. This way, the shampoo gets a chance to break down dirt and oil, allowing you to use less shampoo and not even need to use a second shampoo.
Warning
- Never comb your hair when it is wet. If you have to do this, use a wide-toothed comb. Wet hair will stretch and break easily. Never brush hair that is still wet.
- If you are allergic to shampoo, try a more basic shampoo as it contains fewer ingredients, and see if the allergic reaction reduces. See a dermatologist if the problem persists
