Properly Shampooing Hair
- By naani
- Published 09/23/2007
- FAQ
-
Rating:
Unrated
How to properly shampoo hair
- How should I apply shampoo?
Gently massage the shampoo into your hair and scalp using the pads of your fingers. NEVER used your fingernails to scrape or scratch at your scalp. Doing so is a great way to create tiny nicks/bruises. If you've ever chemically treated your hair, you know you're not supposed to scratch your scalp a few days prior to applying the chemical treatment or
Relaxer. The common misconception is that you need a layer of dirt to protect your scalp from the chemicals. The reality is, when you scratch your hair, you're creating tiny, open wounds on your scalp. When the chemical treatment is applied, it's just like pouring alcohol on an open sore.
So the urge to scratch may be great but look at it this way, when you wash your body, you don't use a steel wool pad. You don't scrape at your skin to get it clean. Why then would you scrape and bruise your scalp?
- Is squeaky clean hair better?
Nope! Actually, in most cases it's exactly what you don't want. A squeaky clean feel indicates that you've done an excellent job removing virtually all products, oils and residues from your hair. Unfortunately, it means the beneficial oils, such as your hairs'
Natural oil and protectant,
Sebum, has been washed away too. Squeaky clean hair also indicates that you may have raised your hairs' cuticles thus leaving it more susceptible to damange and breakage. So avoid aiming for squeaky clean. Do a proper and thorough water rinse to insure that your hair is free of any non-beneficial residues.
- Should I rinse my hair with hot or cold water?
It depends and ironically, the same logic in using cool/hot water on your hair also applies to your face and skin.
Cool water rinses help close the cuticle. This makes our hair smoother and shinier. Clients with oily hair types should use cool-tepid water rinses as this will help slow the release of oils.
Luke-warm water stimulates oil production. Clients with dry hair should use luke warm water to encourage the slight opening of hair cuticles.
Hot water is to be avoided
UNLESS directed. Heat hurts skin and hair.
- How long should I rinse my hair after shampooing?
Rinsing is the most important thing you can do with respect to caring for your hair. How long you rinse depends on your hair length,
Texture and style. Where the average person rinses their hair for 60-90 seconds, a full two minutes is probably best. This will help insure that you've completely removed all product from your hair. If you have long, thick hair or long, mature
dlocks may take several months to well over a year to form and are considered a permanent style.
The term "Dread"locks has been regarded as negative by many. "Dread" refers to the "dreadful" appearance as regarded by racist entities. People who regard this term negatively prefer the terms "locks" or "locs" instead.'); return false">Dreadlocks for example, you will want to rinse your hair even longer. Improper rinsing of shampoo is often the cause of
Build-up in dreadlocks. Shampoo
residue can leave hair looking dull, dry and eventually lead to damage.
After rinsing, your hair should feel "light" or free from any coatings of product (unless you have a thickening, balsam shampoo or any shampoo that purposefully leaves behind noticeable trace elements).
Finally, rinse your hair with the water flowing in the direction of your cuticle (the opposite of the phone shown). In essence, your head should be leaning back versus forward and over the basin. This will help prevent the water from raising or force raising (water pressure) the cuticle.
- How should I treat my hair after I shampoo it?
Gentle handling of the hair after shampooing is important in maintaining healthy hair. After washing you need to blot the hair, don't rub the hair dry. Rubbing can cause tangling and even breakage of brittle hair. After your hair dries or when it is damp, comb hair with a wide-tooth comb, holding sections of hair to gently comb through tangles.
- I have hair that gets greasy/oily fairly quickly. What shampoo should I use?
People with naturally straight hair tend to distribute sebum more readily than those with naturally coily/curly hair. If your hair gets greasy at the end of the day, an oily-hair shampoo that is designed to remove excess hair oil from your hair while at the same time maintaining your hairs' moisture balance would be best. In terms of conditioners, given that your hair naturally produces an abundance of oils, avoid daily conditioners. Your hairs' natural oils are already doing the conditioning.
- I have dry hair or hair that feels dry after shampooing. What shampoo should I use?
People with naturally curly/coily hair find themselves adding greases/oils/moisturizers post-shampoo to combat dryness. For dry hair, use
moisturizing, natural/mild shampoos that contain humectants. You must follow with a quality conditioner. Avoid daily conditioners as you're not shampooing your hair daily. Conditioners will help seal in moisture and protect your hair from damage or loss. In addition, using an occassional
deep conditioner will help prevent moisture loss by closing the hair cuticle and softening hair so that it is more manageable and easier to style.
If hair is very dry, an
essential herbal hot oil or tonic treatment will work wonders.
- I chemically color or treat my hair. What types of shampoos should I use to help prevent further damage?
Permed, relaxed and/or colour-treated hair need special attention. Look for products specifically designed for your use on hair that has undergone your specific chemical treatment (such as a colour-treatment shampoo) or follow the suggestions listed for those with dry hair as many dry hair formulas are also "dry-damaged" hair types.
For more information on proper hair care and for a salon quality products for all hair types, textures and ethnicities, visit http://www.naani.com.
