How to Wash Long Hair Properly

I want to talk to you about how to wash long hair properly, to prevent tangles and breakage to the hair. I know that most people will wash their hair when they take their shower, although its convenient, its not always the best thing to do for long hair to be washed that way. When you are standing under that hot shower, especially in the winter months, it can be very drying to the hair. Its also very difficult to wash your long hair in the shower because with the force of the water, it tends to hold your hair down straight and it can be very difficult to get underneath the hair and really shampoo and clean properly. What happens, we shampoo the outer areas of the hair, and what this does it dries out the outer layer and makes it difficult to get into the scalp area to cleanse.

There is a way to prevent this and that is to use a hand held shower. If you use your hand held shower after you have taken your regular shower, you can get out, wash your hair separately and adjust the water temperature, so you don't have to use the hot water on your hair which will dry your hair out and your scalp. The more we dry out are hair by using hot water, the more we will be prone to breakage of the hair. Also, I found that by using the hand held showerhead and bending over from the waist so that your long hair hangs, it will actually give you more body to your hair. It cleanses the scalp properly; your hair is upside down the whole time, its almost like blow-drying your hair upside down which gives your hair more volume and body. I found this is a good way to do it.

When your taking your regular shower, you can just use a shower cap or put your hair up in a clip or a bun, so your hair isn't exposed to the hot water. I found this much easier to do and then you can enjoy your hot shower without harming your hair.

I found the best way to use the hand held shower on long hair, is to stand up along the side of the bathtub, bend from the waist, flip your hair over the bathtub and take your hand held shower and start at the back of your head and work your way around the whole scalp. Using Luke warm water, this saturates your scalp very well and you have a lot more control of the held showerhead. It takes approximately ninety seconds to completely saturate your hair to be able to use your shampoo. Depending on your preference and how dirty your hair is, you can either shampoo once or twice. Sometimes you can't get a good lather with the first shampoo, depending on the oils in the hair.

When applying the shampoo, its best just to concentrate on the scalp area. Massage the shampoo in and squeeze the shampoo down into your long hair that is hanging. Do not pile your hair on top of your scalp, because all this does is create tangles and breakage when you comb it out. Rinse your hair and add the conditioner to mostly to your ends and hair shaft but not on the scalp, as that can way your hair down. Rinsing the conditioner with very cold water, which will give your hair extra shine and close the cuticles.

Wrap your hair in a towel for a few minutes, and then use a leave in conditioner on the ends of your hair, just to help prevent breakage. With a wide toothcomb and starting at the ends comb out your hair. There should be no tangles or very few and help prevent added breakage to your long hair.