How To Wash Your Hair Properly: A Step By Step Guide

How many of you prepare before you shower? Well, I didn’t mean the battle against cold water! Jokes aside, getting your essentials ready before you wash your hair is important, because if you’re missing a product or item, you might skip essential steps. So, before running your water, make sure you have these essentials.

• Tepid Water

Whether you use warm or cool water it really doesn’t matter. But if you want optimal results, use warm water after shampooing and cold water after conditioning.

• Shampoo

Select a shampoo that suits your hair type ( e.g., oily, dry, curly. color -treated) to effectively cleanse your hair.

• Scalp Massager or Your Fingertips

Do you rinse shampoo without massaging it in? Probably not! To make it easier and helpful you can use a scalp massager if you have one. Otherwise, use your fingertips to give a proper massage and remove the dust.

• Wide-Tooth Comb

Use it to detangle hair before and after wash.

• Conditioner

Using a conditioner is essential. Choose one that fits your hair needs-sometimes extra moisture, and other times damage repair.

• Microfiber Towel or T-shirt

A soft towel will help reduce the frizz and damage, so make sure you're using a cotton cloth to soak up excess water from your hair.

• Leave-in Conditioner or Hair Serum(optional)

It actually helps in nourishing your hair, especially for those who are dealing with messy hair, as it locks your hair properly. 

First, check whether or not your hair is tangled. If it is tangled then, brush your hair, as it makes your washing easier.

Additionally, it will reduce breakage and stimulate hair growth. Meanwhile, it will save time making it easier to work through detangled hair.

You may have heard that warm water can cause split ends, right? Well, that’s true-but there’s a way to use it safely. Also, you may be wondering how often to wash hair for growth and which water to use. So, your answer is to not wash your hair frequently and use warm water before and after shampooing. 

Thus, when you rinse your scalp with warm water, it opens the hair cuticles. As it allows better cleansing after shampooing.

When selecting a shampoo, it's essential to know your hair type. Understanding your hair type is crucial, as it helps you choose products that meet your specific needs. Without knowledge, you will always be confused about how to shampoo hair properly.

Hence, take a small amount of shampoo and apply it to your scalp, not the ends. After that, focus on the roots, where oil and buildup accumulate. Gently massage your scalp using a scalp massager or a fingertip in a circular motion. This will help in blood stimulation and remove dirt.

Now, the shampoo you applied should wash out. So, do you have any ideas on how to not wash your hair? If not then, you should use warm water and make sure you clean it properly.

If small ounce of shampoo remains in your hair, you might suffer from hair issues like dandruffs, itchy scalp, and hair growth issues. Thus, ensure that the water dropping off your is crystal clear.

While applying shampoo, you were told not to use it at the ends of your hair. But the conditioner is all about ends. Thus, use a recommended amount of conditioner for your hair, paying attention to your hair type and length. 

If you overuse it, it will create oily hair, limps, and hair loss. So, be careful with the amount you use.

After applying the conditioner, all you have to do is flush out your hair with cool water or lukewarm water. For a reason, it closes the opened cuticles and seals in moisture.

However, you may be curious about when to wash your hair after conditioning. Well, right after you let the conditioner penetrate for a few minutes it can be a minimum 5 minutes to a maximum 20 minutes. If you ever leave it for more than 20 minutes you may catch some hair problems.

Letting your hair air dry may cause frizz hair, so gently squeeze excess water from your hair. What not to do is, never twist or wring your hair, otherwise you will wonder how to properly dry hair.

Also, pat the hair with a soft or microfiber towel, as it will protect hair from breakage and damage.

Now the choice is yours because this step is optional. You just have to use leave-in conditioner in your damp hair and seal the moisture.

All you have to do is brush out your hair and spray or apply a small portion of it and make sure you just apply it to mid-length and ends but not the roots.

Do: Oil Your Hair Regularly

Wondering how to keep your hair hydrated? The answer is oiling. For oil you can use argan oil, coconut oil and others because it delivers essential vitamins and acids that are required to create a barrier around the hair cells.

Don’t: Use Harsh Product

Having a confusion whether or not your product is harsh? Also, are you wondering which product is best for you? The best answer is a silicone-free shampoo because it maintains hair hydration and its natural shine.

In order to check your product, make sure it contains vitamins, proteins, rich oils, and more. If they do have, it is good to go. 

Do: Protect Your Hair From Sun Damage

UV rays are dangerous to not only the skin but also to hair. As it weakens the protein structure in each strand by drying the hair out and reducing the elasticity of hair. 

To eliminate the trouble from sun damage, use a protective shield, whether it’s a headscarf, a sun hat or anything else. Simply block the sun.

Don’ts: Overwashing

Are you enjoying the dark reality of washing hair frequently to keep your hair clean? If so then, you should know the reality. Overwashing your hair will cause hair problems like dandruff, itchy scalp, tangled hair, and more.

Without having any confusion follow the steps of washing hair mentioned above and wash your hair properly also don’t confuse yourself with an underwash method. 

Do: Apply a Heat Protectant Before Heat Styling

You can find different types of heat protectants out there, so find one that works well for your hair care routine.

Therefore, it creates an additional layer over your hair cuticles that will prevent your hair from coming into direct contact with the heat emitted from your styling tools.

Don’t: Be Rough With Your Hair When it’s Wet

Have you noticed wet hair falls out more easily then your dry hair? It’s because of the weak cuticles. So, while carrying out your hair care routine, you need to make sure that you’re always being gentle with your locks while they’re wet.

Do: Add a Weekly  Hair Mask Routine

Hair masks contain a higher concentration of hair-loving ingredients that benefits your hair in deep hydration. Additionally, using masks once a week will add volume to your locks and give you a perfect shine and nourishment.

Hence, it is necessary to grow your hair healthy. While it is beneficial, don’t confuse it with your regular conditioner. Using it too frequently can weigh your hair down.

Don’t: Tie Your hair Back Too Tightly

Are you someone who feels easy to make a ponytail as your go-to routine? Even though it saves your time, tying your hair tight in a ponytail can put unnecessary pressure on your hair roots.

Consequently, it causes damage and breakage in your hair. So, tie your hair loosely and give plenty of breaks in between. This will help your hair breathe and circulate blood. 

Washing hair becomes an easy task if you end up using the right techniques. However, sometimes it might leave you in a confusion about which product to choose.

Thus, visiting a shopping center might be your first choice, so make sure to check the ingredients it contains. For the fact that, ingredients play a vital role and they differ according to the hair type.  

For Dry Hair

If your hair is dry, make sure your products don't contain:

Sulfates: It features in removing dirt and oil.

Parabens: It disrupts the hormone system and blood circulation.

Polyethylene glycol: It can also strip your hair of moisture and make your hair more prone to breakage.

For Oily Hair

Your oily hair needs proper care so, avoid products that have:

Silicones: It can build up on hair and make it look oily.

Mineral oils and lanolin: It can leave residue on the hair.

Intensive conditioner: Conditioner labeled as dry, damage can leave your hair looking greasy.

If you avoid these things and make a better choice then you can have healthy and rejuvenating hair.