Best Hair Wash Tips To Wash Your Hair The Right Way

The ultimate cheat sheet to keeping your tresses clean, nourished, and shiny.

Reviewed by Madison Dufour, Barber & Cosmetologist
Written by Anjali Sayee, BTech

Edited by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach

Fact-checked by Krati Darak, MBA, Certified Skin Care Coach • Nov 16, 2023

Best Hair Wash Tips To Wash Your Hair The Right Way

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Discussing the right way to wash hair may not seem as important. But isn’t it true that most of us make mistakes while following the process? In this article, we discuss how to wash your hair properly and certain hair wash tips and techniques that help keep your hair clean and promote better hair health.

Using hair styling tools regularly, braiding, extensions, sun damage, product- residue, dirt build-up, uneven pH balance, and other factors can make your hair look dull. Rough hair makes detangling difficult and proper hair care is required to treat your hair problems. A hair wash can help nourish and cleanse your hair at the same time, and it is a crucial part of self-care.

In This Article

How To Wash Your Hair The Right Way – The Dos

1. Oil Your Hair Before Shampooing

Ensure you apply and massage hair oil into your scalp and hair 2 to 3 hours prior to a hair wash. You can use coconut, olive, or mustard oil for this purpose. Most shampoos contain harsh ingredients that can strip essential oils from your hair strands. Oiling your hair prior to a hair wash can help fight this problem.

2. Detangle Your Hair

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Detangling before shampooing can ease the hair knots. This is when your hair is dry and the knots can be removed easily. It is hard to detangle your hair when it is wet. Also, wet hair is weak and more fragile and can easily break off.

You can detangle your by dividing it into four sections. Always begin hair shower by brushing your hair. This helps stimulate blood circulation in the scalp, thereby reducing hair fall and preventing pores from clogging. This can also reduce split ends.

3. Rinse Your Hair

Rinse your hair properly for a minute before applying shampoo. Soak it well with water for a minute. Use lukewarm water (hot water can dry your hair) in this case – it can help open the pores.

Trivia

The Cedrela plant was used by the ancient Chinese for hair wash as it was believed to stimulate hair growth and keep insects at bay.

4. Use Warm Water First

Use warm water to wash your hair before and after using shampoo. Warm water helps open the pores on the scalp. Before you condition your hair, rinse your hair with warm water. Make sure the water is not scalding hot as it can damage your hair and burn your scalp. But finish your washing routine with cool water to close the cuticles again, seal in the moisture, and leave the hair sleek and shiny.

5. Dilute The Shampoo

Always dilute your shampoo by mixing it with water. This will lower the concentration of the shampoo applied to the hair and scalp. Shampoo could contain harsh chemicals, and by diluting it, you reduce the risk of hair damage. Shampoo selection is also an essential component of hair care. Pick a shampoo that provides hydration, nutrition, and heat protection. If you have colored or bleached hair, go for a shampoo that provides color protection. Breakage prevention, shedding prevention, and frizz control are also some of the factors that you should keep in mind along with the overall maintenance of hair.

Pallavi, a beauty blogger, concurs with this method of diluting the shampoo to soften the harshness of strong formulas. She writes, “I dissolve the shampoo in a mug with water and pour over my wet hair, it kind of minimizes the harshness of shampoo over a localized region (i).”

Did You Know?

A Bengali traveler, entrepreneur, and surgeon named Sake Dean Mahomed opened the first commercial shampooing vapor masseur bath in England with his Irish wife, Jane Daly.

6. Condition Your Hair

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After you shampoo your hair, rinse it and follow with a conditioner. Ensure you never apply conditioner directly to your scalp. Also, apply conditioner with the help of a comb as this allows for an even application. Conditioner selection also plays a crucial role in hair care. Ensure that the conditioner suits your hair type and contains nourishing ingredients. You can then rinse in 1-2 minutes or leave-in the conditioner on your hair for a little longer, as per the directions.

After this, wash the conditioner completely. Any residue can harm your hair and make it look dull.

7. Scrub Your Scalp Gently

Scalp care is also necessary. Scrub your scalp gently in small circles and never too harshly. You can use your fingertips to loosen any dirt, skin flakes, residue, and natural oils. After you scrub, rinse with lukewarm water for a minute. Clean your scalp regularly and avoid using strong chemicals to maintain scalp health.

Another beauty blogger, Jocey, talks about maximizing the lather to disperse it through the length of her hair. She explains, “I focus the lather on my scalp to remove build-up and then just use some of that lather to lightly run it through my hair. I don’t rub the ends of my hair to make more lather as the friction can cause breakage, frizz, and excess dryness (ii).”

8. Massage Your Head

Woman massaging her head while shampooing

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While shampooing, massage your head with your finger in a circular motion – from the front to back and the back to the front. Repeat for several minutes. This helps with exfoliation and stimulating the scalp.

9. In The End, Rinse With Cold Water

As a final step, rinse your hair with cold water. If possible, make it a point to remove all of your conditioner by washing your hair with cold water. Rinsing with cold or normal water helps close the cuticles and seals the moisture in each strand.

10. Avoid Rubbing Your Harshly

Woman squeezing out excess water from hair

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Towel drying is always preferable, but never be harsh while rubbing your hair with a towel. This can cause severe damage and make your hair look very dull. You can instead try squeezing out excess water gently or leave your hair to dry on its own.

Mistakes Women Make While Washing Hair – The Don’ts

1. Two-Timing Your Shampoo

You may enjoy experimenting with new products. This may even want you to start using two different shampoos at a time. Though your hair may not be able to differentiate between products, it is not necessary that you use whatever that looks appealing.

Find a shampoo that suits you best and stick to it. Also, there are rules on how you wash your hair with shampoo (how often should you wash your hair, etc.) that you can check out here.

2. Taking Hot Showers

Taking hot showers is bad for the hair. It makes your tresses coarse and unattractive. It steals all the moisture and makes your hair unkempt and frizzy. Cold water is better for showers. You can mix some apple cider vinegar with cold water and rinse your hair with it. Vinegar is a great exfoliator that will remove dandruff and make your hair soft and smooth.

3. Not Using Hair Masks

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Another huge mistake women make is not using hair masks. Hair masks are great for your hair and are certainly a requirement. You should use at least one hair mask twice a week to protect your hair from damage and keep it beautiful. Also, remember to wash your hair thoroughly when you are removing the hair mask.

4. Skipping The Conditioner

The final mistake women make while washing their hair is skipping their conditioner altogether. The conditioner was made to be used and not to be missed out on. It is necessary for beautiful and thick hair and is something you should use while washing your hair. Remember that the conditioner needs to sit on your hair for about 5 minutes before you rinse it.

Following these little tweaks will add more shine to your hair and help you keep it manageable.

A Few Reasons For Regularly Washing Your Hair

1. A Sweaty Head

When you work out, you begin to sweat. The first place you sweat is your scalp and hair, and it isn’t wise to leave your hair unwashed. It contains DHT, which is a sex hormone that binds to the hair follicles and causes hair loss (1). In case you are experiencing severe hair fall, you may also try certain home remedies that may help reduce it.

2. Using Cosmetics

If you are someone who uses hair cosmetics, make it a point to wash your hair before going to sleep. Hair cosmetics can seep into your scalp while sleeping and block the skin pores. Also, stay away from using too many cosmetics at a time. The more natural your hair products are, the better.

3. Scalp Sebum

Many people complain about their hair getting too greasy throughout the day. Washing hair once a day can help keep it clean and free from grease (sebum). Sebum is the natural oil secreted from the skin. Excess sebum production can cause scalp and hair issues.

Using the right hair-washing products is important for maintaining healthy and beautiful hair. Let’s learn how to decide which ones are right for you.

How To Choose The Best Products For Washing Your Hair

To choose the best hair-washing products, first you have to consider your hair type, concerns, and preferences. Those with fine hair require gentle clarifying shampoos, while those with thick or coarse hair benefit more from moisturizing formulas containing natural oils like argan oil or coconut oil. For colored locks, color-safe options are ideal for maintaining vibrancy, while toning shampoos are good for bleached hair to combat unwanted brassy tones. Don’t forget to pair your shampoo with a moisturizing conditioner to ward off split ends. Post-wash frizz control and detangling products are great for getting rid of knots and tangles, and use a gentle hairbrush to prevent breakage. Tailoring your hair care routine according to your needs ensures your locks stay healthy, vibrant, and stunning.

Infographic: 7 Simple Tips On How To Wash Your Hair Properly

Have you been washing your hair the wrong way all this time? Don’t worry, we are here for you! There is more to a hair wash routine than a good shampoo and a nourishing conditioner. To help you out, we have rounded up 7 simple tips to help you wash your hair the right way. Check out the infographic below to know more!

7 simple tips on how to wash your hair properly (infographic)

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Download Infographic

Be sure to practice the right hair washing steps to cleanse your hair the right way. Following these simple tips, such as oiling your hair before shampooing, can go a long way in keeping your hair healthy and nourished. Bad hair washing practices, like over-shampooing your tresses, can damage your beautiful hair. Remember that if you have oily hair, do strenuous workouts that make you sweat profusely, or use hair cosmetics regularly, you should wash your hair daily. But apart from these circumstances, avoid shampooing and conditioning your hair every day, as they contain chemicals that can damage your hair.

Now that you know the steps to follow to wash your hair the right way. Follow them and keep your hair healthy and clean!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times a week should you wash your hair?

If you have regular or normal hair, you should wash your hair twice a week. Dry hair can be washed once a week, and oily hair can be washed thrice a week. If your hair is very greasy, then you can use a dry shampoo or co-wash to keep your hair fresh.

What should I apply to my hair before washing?

You can apply oil or try a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask before washing your hair.

Should I oil my hair after shampoo?

No, apply oil before you wash your hair. Applying oil after washing your hair can make it look greasy and flat.

Can I wash my hair daily with water only?

Washing your hair only with water will not cleanse your hair thoroughly. Water alone cannot remove dirt, buildup, product residue, and excess oil from your scalp.

Why is my hair so flat after washing?

If you haven’t washed your hair properly, product residue, buildup, and excess sebum can weigh it down and make it look flat. Using a clarifying shampoo can help.

Key Takeaways

Use lukewarm water before and after shampooing and cold water to rinse off the conditioner.
Gently scrub and massage your scalp in small circular motions to properly clean and exfoliate it.
Never skip conditioner or expose your tresses to hot water when taking a shower.
Regularly wash your hair to remove sweat and excess sebum from your scalp.

Keep your hair healthy and looking great with these simple hair washing hacks! Save time and money by following these tips from the video below.

Personal Experience: Sources

i. My Hair Care Routine | Hair Wash Technique
https://pallavinv.wordpress.com/2015/02/05/my-hair-care-routine/

ii. Shower Routine: Hair Washing Day!
https://joceysbeautyfiles.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/shower-routine-hair-washing-day/

Sources

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