In this article, we’re going to discuss the proper way to shampoo and condition your hair. It might seem self-explanatory, but you might be surprised that you might have been doing it wrong after so many years! How often you shampoo and condition depends on your hair type, but it’s definitely something that should be done regularly. If you have very oily or greasy hair, you may want to shampoo and condition it every day. However, if you have normal to dry hair you should skip a few days between washes so you don’t over-cleanse your hair and lead to drier and weaker hair.
Shampoo is meant for cleansing your hair. Shampoo helps get rid of oil, dirt, sweat, product buildup, environmental pollutants, and other things that build up in your hair over time. You probably know when it is time to shampoo. Your hair might feel oily or greasy and have visible buildup. You may even see dandruff in your hair or falling down on your shoulders. Look for a shampoo that works best in your hair type and works to clear up your hair concerns. For instance, if you have very dry hair, you’ll want to look for a moisturizing shampoo and/or one that gets rid of dandruff and itchy scalp. If you have thinning hair or hair loss, you’ll want to find a shampoo made for thinning hair that can help strengthen your hair follicles and stimulate your scalp. With so many options out there, be sure to use high-quality products that will help solve your hair problems and not add to them. If you are unsure of what products to use, your hair stylist may be able to recommend some based on your hair type and your hair concerns.
Conditioners help to moisturize your hair and protect it from every day stressors. Shampoo is applied to your scalp, and conditioner is applied to the ends of your hair. Applying conditioner to your roots could lead to oily hair faster, especially if you have oily hair. Many experts recommend to double cleanse your hair, which means to shampoo twice and rinse before you condition your hair.
Once you’ve applied conditioner to your hair, leave it on your ends for a few minutes to work its magic. This should help your hair become soft, smooth, and more manageable. It is best to use warm water when you shampoo. After applying conditioner and leaving it on for a few minutes, it is best to rinse with cool water to seal the cuticle. This can help create shinier and smoother hair. If your hair tends to get tangled after the shower, you can comb through it wet in the shower with a wide-toothed comb. You can also use a detangling spray or heat protectant when your hair is damp to help you work through any tangles. How much shampoo and conditioner you use depends on your hair type and hair length. Remember, less is more. You can always use more if needed, but if you use too much at once, it could be difficult to rinse out which can lead to buildup.
If your hair is very dry, you may want to use a deep conditioning mask every few weeks to ensure your hair stays strong and soft. In addition, if you have regular scalp buildup, oily scalp, or a dry, itchy scalp, you may want to use a scalp scrub or apple cider vinegar rinse. This can help get rid of excess buildup that shampooing may leave behind. You only have to do this once a month or so, depending on your hair type and hair problems. When you get out of the shower, use a soft microfiber towel or old T-shirt to gently squeeze out the excess water. Use a comb to gently brush your hair. Remember to treat your hair with TLC, especially if you are experiencing hair thinning and/or hair loss.
In between washes, you can also use dry shampoo to cleanse your hair quickly and add some volume. This doesn’t completely replace shampoo and should only be used in a bind when you can’t shampoo your hair. It can help get rid of some greasiness if you want to prolong your hair for just another day before you wash it.
Do you know what type of hair you have? Are you aware that there are different shampoos and conditioners for different hair types? Have you been shampooing and conditioning your hair correctly or could your routine use a little tune-up?
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