Shampoo and You

Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to wash your hair. How you shampoo and condition your hair will make all the difference in its health, shine, and overall condition.

The first thing you should do is to comb the tangles out of the hair before you wet it so your hair will wash easily and the tangles will not worsen. Then, wet your hair thoroughly under the shower. (When washing your hair, it is best to do so in the shower, as you won't be able to rinse properly in the sink.) Rinse your hair under the shower to get rid of the leave-on conditioner and styling products you have used previously, using gentle strokes of your fingertips.

Then, pour a dollop of shampoo in the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together, and then apply the shampoo to your scalp and massage it in a circular motion. You should put the shampoo on your scalp and not at the ends of your hair, as the shampoo will dry your hair's ends and cause it to weaken and split. Rinse the shampoo off. (One of the best shampoo types to use is a shampoo with a balanced P.H. value, these shampoos will return your hair to its natural P.H. level and make manageability very easy.)

Sometimes, we need to shampoo our hair for a second time. The purpose of the first shampoo is to clean the oil and dirt off; the second shampoo is supposed to let the shampoo treat our hair. So, repeat the process, but let the shampoo sit on your hair for around a couple of minutes. Rinse the hair completely after this.

To get the excess water off your hair, just squeeze the water out. Be gentle! To protect your hair, smooth your hands from the top of your head down to remove excess water. Do not pull or tug at the hair because the hair is at its most delicate when it is soaked. When the excess water is out, apply a dollop of conditioner and apply it along the hairline, the nape and the ends of the hair. Pile your hair on top of your head and let the conditioner stay there for around ten minutes. And then, rinse it off completely.

Many people believe that shampooing everyday will be too drying to their hair, especially if they have naturally curly or damaged hair. However, it is completely safe to wash your hair every day. If you have very dry hair, use shampoos that are designed to be gentle and conditioners that will help seal in extra moisture. Most styling brands clearly mark their shampoos and conditioners according to hair type (ex: volumizing, color-treated, dry & damaged). You wouldn't go a whole day without washing your face, and the same should go for your hair. Skipping a day can not only result in dull, limp locks, but also the dirt and grease from your hair can spread to your face while you sleep, causing unsightly blemishes.

Follow these tips and you will have clean, shiny,healthy hair!