Do’s And Don’ts When It Comes To Washing Your Hair

Washing your hair is something that’s often overlooked, but it’s important for keeping your strands healthy. The right shampoo and conditioner for your hair can make all the difference, but it’s not enough to just lather them up and rinse – you also need to know how to do it properly.

DO Massage Your Scalp

A scalp massage can help increase blood circulation to your hair follicles, and may even promote hair growth. This is because a scalp massage stimulates the nerve endings near the skin on your scalp. It also helps remove dead skin cells and dandruff, which is caused by bacteria that builds up on the scalp. Similarly, it can help remove product build-up, which could be weighing your strands down, and improve absorption of the ingredients in a hair treatment for thicker, fuller locks.

DON’T Use Hot Water

Hot water can burn your scalp or hair, cause redness and irritation, and impede the way your strands absorb nutrients. It can also lead to dandruff and itchiness, which can inhibit hair growth and weaken your strands. Dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD says, “Washing your hair with hot water can strip the natural oils from your scalp and dandruff, which may lead to a dry and itchy scalp that inhibits healthy hair growth and development.” It is important to choose the right temperature for your hair wash based on your specific needs. Lukewarm water (defined as 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, 36.5 to 40.5 Celsius) should be used when washing your hair with shampoo and a cool rinse should be applied as your last rinse to lock in moisture and protect your hair from heat damage.

DO Use Conditioner

​Conditioning your hair with a conditioner is one of the most important things you can do for your strands, and using it correctly can make all the difference to the health of your locks. A conditioner is a hair product that binds to the cuticle of your hair to add shine, tame frizz and reduce drying time. You should always apply your conditioner after you shampoo, and make sure to apply it on the ends of your strands, not your roots, and keep it on for about a minute before rinsing it out thoroughly!

DON’T Brush Wet Hair

When hair is wet, it is more vulnerable to breakage, which is why it is always recommended that you avoid brushing your hair immediately after a shower. The reason your strands are weaker and more susceptible to breakage when they’re wet is because water lifts the keratin cuticles protecting your hair. This weakens your strands and makes them more sensitive to damage from shampoos, conditioners, heat styling tools, and the like. When your hair is wet, it’s also more prone to tangling and knotting so you should always use the right tools to detangle it. That includes a wide-tooth comb or a wet brush to gently loosen knots and tangles without damaging your strands.