The Right Way to Wash Hair

The best way to wash your hair is to have a trained professional stylist do it for you. Unfortunately, this is a luxury that not many of us can afford. Since the vast majority of us have to wash our own hair at home, it is a good idea to learn the basic rules of hair washing.

The most important thing is to use the right products for your particular hair type. Hair that is permed, colored, or highlighted will require a shampoo specially formulated for chemically treated hair. Hair that is limp and fine can benefit from a volumizing or thickening shampoo. Hair that is coarse and dry will require a moisturizing shampoo. The same rules apply for choosing a conditioner. Choosing the right products is half of the battle.

The next step is to determine the frequency of washing. Hair that has not been colored or permed can be washed every day, while hair that is more fragile should be washed every other day. Shampooing the hair too frequently can cause haircolor to fade, while shampooing the hair too infrequently can cause the hair to look greasy and oily. There is no definite rule which dictates how often the hair should be washed. How often you wash your hair will depend of your particular needs.

To effectively clean the hair, the hair must be completely saturated with water. Most of the dirt and debris which accumulates on the hair and scalp can be rinsed away in the shower with water. Once the hair has been thoroughly rinsed, it is time to shampoo. Work the shampoo into a lather in the palm of your hands before applying to the hair. This will ensure even distribution of shampoo throughout the hair.

When shampooing, avoid the temptation to vigorously scrub the scalp. Fingernails can easily cause microscopic cuts and scrapes to the scalp which you cannot see or feel. Shampooing should be done using the fingertips, not the nails. After the hair has been thoroughly shampooed, the hair must be rinsed until all of the shampoo has been removed from the hair. If the shampoo is not completely rinsed out of the hair, your scalp will feel itchy and flaky. Often, the "flakes" you sometimes think is dry scalp or dandruff is actually residue left in the hair after shampooing.

Finally, the hair should be conditioned. The type of conditioner used will depend on the health of the hair. Dry hair will require a stronger conditioner than normal hair, and hair that is extremely healthy may not even require a conditioner at all. To get the best results, the conditioner should be left on the hair for 3-5 minutes before rinsing it out. Once the conditioner has been rinsed out, you will be ready to dry and style the hair.