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Answering the banal question of how to properly wash your hair is not an easy task, because hair washing is a multi-stage process, and a mistake can be made literally at every step. We will tell you with the help of professionals how to do everything right.
How often should you wash your hair?
Many copies are broken in search of the truth. When do you need to wash your hair? Some say wash every day (they say, cleanliness is the key to health), others suggest pulling it to the last (water and shampoos dry hair).
The rate of hair contamination and, accordingly, the frequency of washing them depends on both the type of hair and the hairstyle.
Once every 5-7 days, owners of dry, curly, thick hair, as well as those who wear braids and buns, wash their hair.
Every day or every other day is the best regimen for those who have oily scalp, otherwise dandruff and itching may appear. Frequent washing is also recommended for those who play sports or constantly use styling products.
Once every three days is a good schedule for owners of normal hair. Those who like to wear their hair loose may need to shampoo more often as they quickly accumulate city dust.
Do you know what kind of shampoo you need? You can find out right now.
How to wash your hair: the steps in the right sequence
With frequency, everything is more or less clear. The point is small – to find out how to properly wash your hair using shampoo and balm, what are the sequence of manipulations and the order in which products are used.
So, we give a complete algorithm of actions, starting with preparation and ending with primary drying.
Comb your hair.
Wet your head thoroughly. Do not rush – the hair should be wet along the entire length. If the curls are long and thick, this may take time.
Squeeze out a small amount of shampoo and lather it into wet palms.
Apply the product to the roots of the hair, avoiding areas along the hairline closer to the forehead, around the ears, on the temples and in the back of the head.
Massage your head with light circular motions. Do this with your fingertips – do not scrape the skin with your nails so as not to injure it.
It is not necessary to lather the hair along the entire length: the foam flowing from the head is enough for them.
Rinse your head thoroughly with plenty of water.
If the hair was very dirty, use the shampoo again.
Gently wring out clean hair.
Squeeze the balm onto your hand, warm it slightly in the palms of your hands and apply along the entire length of the hair, stepping back 2-3 cm from the roots.
Leave for a couple of minutes. If the hair is so naughty that it is possible to comb it only when wet, then do it now, after applying the balm.
Rinse the balm thoroughly, pat your hair dry with a towel. After washing, you can rinse your hair with cool water to improve microcirculation in the scalp.
Overview of cosmetics for shampooing and subsequent hair care
We have analyzed the stages of washing your hair, now let’s talk about products that will help you put the knowledge you have gained into practice.
Shampoo
You already know how to wash your hair with shampoo. When choosing the right product, several factors should be taken into account: the type of scalp (dry, normal, oily), the condition of the strands (for example, dyed), even the hairstyle (short haircut, long hair).
Intensive anti-dandruff shampoo for normal and oily hair Dercos, Vichy
Contains the antioxidant selenium, which helps fight dandruff. At the same time, selenium disulfide has proven effectiveness in restoring the microbiome.
Shampoo care Elseve 3-in-1 “Luxury 6 oils”, L’Oréal Paris
A very mild shampoo without sulfates and foam is suitable for dry and brittle hair, with which it is important to adhere to the basic rule of care – do not overdry!
Shampoo for fine hair Fructis SuperFood “Watermelon. Volume, Garnier
Watermelon is the new hero of the Superfood line. Shampoo with watermelon extract thickens hair, makes it more voluminous.
Soft physiological shampoo-gel Kerium, La Roche-Posay
Contains a little salicylic acid for a light exfoliating effect and a feeling of impeccable cleanliness, as well as glycerin, which helps to avoid dehydration, for a comfortable cleansing of the hair.
Balm
Proper shampooing involves the use of a conditioner. This tool helps to restore curls after a cleanser (it always lifts the scales on the cuticle a little). The balm makes sure that the hair becomes smooth, soft, obedient.
By the way, you can also wash your hair with a balm: for these purposes, instead of shampoo, a special cleansing balm-conditioner is used – this washing technique is called co-washing (conditioner washing), it is advisable to use it if the hair is hard, curly, porous.
Balm conditioner for moisturizing hair Fructis SuperFood “Aloe”, Garnier
This product will give your hair what it needs after shampooing – hydration and softness without weighing it down.
Super balm Elseve “Easy combing” for long damaged hair, L’Oréal Paris
Balm with keratin, castor oil and vitamin B5 has a strengthening and regenerating effect, nourishes the hair to the very ends.
Conditioner for shine dull and lifeless hair Dercos Nutrients Vitamin, Vichy
The silicone-free formula softens and revives dull hair with tonic acai berries and hydrating aloe vera extract.
Conditioner for volume with rice extract and wheat protein Rice & Wheat Volumizing Conditioning Rinse, Kiehl’s
Rice extract and wheat protein, as well as honey in the composition of this product, help hair gain strength, shine, silkiness and well-groomed appearance.
Additional care
Hair will only benefit if it is pampered with additional care products.
Express mask Kera-Solutions, reconstructing the surface of the hair, Vichy
Gives an excellent chance to restore damaged and weakened hair.
Leave-in nourishing care with olive oil for dry hair Strengthening and Hydrating Hair Oil-in-Cream, Kiehl’s
Oils add shine to the hair and protect it along the entire length. Care with olive and avocado oils nourishes curls, strengthens them and protects them from breakage.
Mask 3-in-1 for dry and unruly hair Fructis SuperFood “Macadamia. Smoothing, Garnier
Taking care of your hair with this tool is not only pleasant, but also practical: it can be used both as a mask, and as a conditioner, and as a leave-in care – the hair will be satisfied in any case.
Elseve purple hair mask for blond hair and highlighted brunettes, L’Oréal Paris
Bleached hair often takes on a yellow, not too attractive shade. This mask will help the blonde shine again in all its original glory.
Beauty secrets: how to wash your hair properly
It would seem that even children usually cope with this task on their own, but it always raises many questions.
What should be the optimum water temperature?
The optimum temperature for washing your hair is warm, around 40 degrees. Exposure to too hot water activates the sebaceous glands, so the hair will become greasy faster. Cold water makes it difficult to remove sebum and styling residues.
How much shampoo to apply?
It all depends on the length of the hair and the foaming ability of the shampoo. If it is good, even for long hair you need very little. If the shampoo does not lather, you do not need to add it immediately. Most likely, the scalp was heavily contaminated, it is better to wash off the first portion and apply the composition again: the main part of the sebum will go away, and the washing base will more easily turn into foam.
How to wash long hair well?
Spare neither time nor water. Rinse off any shampoo very carefully, the same applies to balms. For thick, long, curly hair, the process may take several minutes. It is not necessary to apply shampoo directly to the length of the hair – as a rule, the main part of the pollution accumulates only at the roots. The foam that forms during the washing process will clean the hair along the entire length and ends when rinsed off.
How to understand that the hair and head are well washed?
Rub a strand of hair with your fingertips, and then rub your fingers together. If they slip, then the hair is not completely washed.
How to quickly wash your hair without water?
With dry shampoo: it absorbs excess sebum and refreshes the hair. But it does not wash, does not remove impurities, cannot replace a full wash. It should not be abused, especially if the hair is prone to oiliness. Irregular washing can provoke the development of fungus and the appearance of dandruff, and in some cases, pustular rashes.