It's hard to believe, but there is a right and a wrong way to shampoo your hair. By washing them properly you can make sure that they are healthy and silky to the eye and to the touch. Read on to find out how to treat your hair in the right way.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Shampoo
Step 1. Choose a moisturizing shampoo if your hair is dry or frizzy
If you have dry and frizzy hair, you should use a shampoo that can make it more hydrated. Those that contain glycerin, panthenol or shea butter are among the most suitable for solving the problem of dry hair because they are highly moisturizing substances.
Step 2. Use a volumizing shampoo if you have thin or sparse hair
If your hair is very fine or thin, you should select a shampoo that can make it more voluminous without weighing it down. Also, it is better to stick with clear-type shampoos; if you can't see through the product in the package, then don't buy it.
Avoid shampoos that include substances such as "sodium chloride" or "polyethylene glycol" (polyethylene glycol or PEG) among the ingredients. Both substances are used to thicken hair, but can dry out and weaken it
Step 3. Choose a shampoo that contains silicone if your hair is curly or wavy
If your head is full of curls or ringlets, it is important to use a moisturizing shampoo whose formula also includes silicone. Products of this type are able to give curls the necessary hydration to remain soft and supple, while preventing them from absorbing too much moisture and becoming frizzy.
Step 4. If you have normal hair, it is best to use a simple mild shampoo
If your hair has no particular needs or characteristics, you can freely use almost any type of shampoo. Just be careful not to choose a product that is too aggressive as it could damage their natural coating. A white tea shampoo is a good option.
Avoid shampoos that contain "ammonium lauryl sulfate" (ammonium lauryl sulfate), "sodium laureth sulfate" (sodium lauryl ether sulfate) or "sodium lauryl sulfate". They are among the most used surfactants in cosmetics, but they are very aggressive on the hair and can deprive them of their natural moisture, drying them out
Step 5. Use a disciplining shampoo if you have very thick and voluminous hair
If you are lucky enough to have thick hair, your goal must be to give volume to the roots, but not to the lengths and ends. You also need to make sure they stay hydrated.
A shampoo containing avocado or macadamia oil will only add volume where it's needed, while ensuring high hydration
Step 6. Look for a shampoo containing keratin if you want to solve the problem of dry or damaged hair
If they are damaged due to some aggressive treatment, intense use of heat for styling or abuse of cosmetic products, or if they simply tend to be dry by nature, you should select a shampoo that contains keratin. It is a highly moisturizing substance capable of repairing the hair structure.
In order not to make your hair worse, you should make sure that the products you use do not contain alcohol, as it will dehydrate them further. Protect your hair from further damage or dehydration by avoiding shampoos that contain "cetearyl alcohol" (cetylstearyl alcohol), "cetyl alcohol" (cetyl alcohol) or "stearyl alcohol" (stearyl alcohol)
Step 7. Use a vitamin shampoo if you have dyed hair
Vitamins A and E are great for preserving the shine and durability of the color. Alternatively, you can use a shampoo formulated specifically for colored hair, as it is gentler than normal hair.
Step 8. Try using a shampoo that contains tea tree oil if you have oily hair or to get rid of buildup of cosmetic products
Generally, oily hair is the response to the body's attempt to rebalance a dry scalp through increased sebum production. Tea tree oil can solve the problem of dehydrated skin by consequently eliminating excess oils. In addition, it guarantees a deep cleansing of the hair and scalp, so a shampoo that contains tea tree oil can also be classified as a clarifier.
Step 9. Choose the fragrance you prefer
This is definitely the simplest part of the decision. Consider the environment in which you spend most of your time making your choice. Your colleagues or classmates may be sensitive to certain fragrances. If you or someone you study or work closely with have particular intolerances or allergies, look for a fragrance-free product.
The strong smell of some substances, such as peppermint or tea tree oil, can stay on your hair for a long time
Part 2 of 3: Wash the Hair
Step 1. First, wet your hair
Before applying the shampoo, make sure they are completely soaked. Put your head under hot water to help open the pores and cuticles and dissolve the dirt and oils present.
- You should stay with your head under the water for at least a minute. This will give him time to start washing away the dirt and the skin and hair will become more receptive to the nutrients contained in the shampoo.
- After rinsing your hair with hot water for one minute, reduce the temperature slightly before applying the shampoo. Otherwise, if they were too hot, they could get damaged.
- The lengths and ends of your hair can handle hot water well, but you should proceed with more caution when washing the roots. The scalp can burn easily.
Step 2. Make sure you are using the correct amount of shampoo
If it exceeds the size of a 50 cent coin, it means you are using too much of it. Unless your hair is very thick or incredibly long, a half-dollar dose is enough. If they're really thick or long, you can double the amount, but you shouldn't use a whole handful of shampoos to wash them, no matter how thick, thick, or long.
Step 3. Make the foam
When shampooing, simply lather around the roots and nape of the neck and then transfer it to the lengths and ends. In other words, you don't have to apply more product to the tips and then distribute it towards the head.
If your hair is shoulder length, apply conditioner first to safeguard the health of the ends
Step 4. Don't rub your hair
Make gentle movements as you try to lather. Try not to move your fingers in a circular fashion, even if it seems like the most natural way to do it. It is best to move your fingertips from top to bottom and vice versa.
Step 5. Rinse your hair with cold water
Before applying the shampoo you used the hot one to open the cuticles and prepare the hair to absorb the beneficial substances contained in the selected product. At this point, however, you have to rinse them with cold water to seal the cuticles so that the hair retains moisture and nutrients, so once dry it will look healthy and bright.
Step 6. Now apply the conditioner to the lengths and ends
If you intend to use the conditioner after shampooing, do not apply it all over your head to prevent the hair from becoming greasy or heavy, especially at the root. What you need to do is massage it into your hair from mid-lengths to ends.
- Use cold water again to rinse the hair from the conditioner, helping to close the cuticles.
- In general, the conditioner should be applied after each shampoo. If you have damaged hair, for example due to dyes or styling tools, you can try using a mask that deeply nourishes it, once a week, alternating it with conditioner.
Step 7. After rinsing them, pat them dry with the towel
When they are perfectly clean, pat them with a soft towel to absorb excess water, then let them air dry - this is the best way to avoid damaging them.
Part 3 of 3: Taking Care of Your Hair Between Washes
Step 1. Apply a heat protection product before using your hair dryer, straightener or curler
If you need to dry them with a hairdryer, because you want to style them in a particular way or simply because you don't have time to wait for them to dry themselves, protect them from the heat with a specific product. The same applies if you intend to use the straightener or curling iron. This will reduce the damage caused by intense heat.
Thermal protectors are generally in the form of a spray; you can find them in perfumery, at the hairdresser or in the most well-stocked supermarkets
Step 2. Give your hair a break
The time that can elapse between one shampoo and another varies from person to person, according to the type of hair and daily needs. In general, a day off between washes would still be better.
- If you don't want to use shampoo, but still want to revive your hair, just wash it with water. However, you will be able to remove some of the dirt and excess oils, without risking damaging them due to too frequent use of the shampoo.
- If you have wavy or curly hair, you can use conditioner instead of shampoo. They will be clean and revived, without compromising the level of hydration. This is a good way to control frizz and emphasize natural curls.
Step 3. Use dry shampoo
If your hair looks slightly oily, but you want to wait another day before washing it, you can rely on the properties of a dry shampoo. Its function is to absorb excess sebum and oils so that the hair returns to being clean and light.
- Start by spraying the product along the hairline around the face (be careful not to direct it into the eyes);
- Then divide the hair into 2 or 4 sections, using your index fingers or a comb to separate them at the height of the ears and in the middle of the head;
- For each section, further divide the hair into sections about 3 to 5 centimeters wide. Spray the dry shampoo on the roots of each individual strand.
- Distribute the product on the hair by massaging it with your fingers from the roots to the ends, otherwise it will seem that you have a whitish or gray hairline. Finally, brush them thoroughly to remove excess dust.
Advice
- To lose less hair when you wash it, use a wide-toothed comb and not a brush while in the shower. Also, comb them gently when they are still dry to remove most of the knots.
- Leave the conditioner on for 30-60 seconds before rinsing off. The hair will be very soft.
- After massaging the shampoo into your scalp and hair, let it act for between 1 and 5 minutes, then perform a final massage before rinsing. This will give the cleaning substances time to dissolve the dirt and oils, so you can use less shampoo and / or avoid applying it a second time.
Warnings
- Do not brush your hair when it is wet. Use a wide-toothed comb if you need to get rid of knots. When wet, hair becomes brittle and breaks more easily.
- If you experience allergic reactions when shampooing, look for a simpler, more natural product that contains only a few ingredients to see if the symptoms subside. See a dermatologist if the problem persists.
