Top 10 Hair Washing Tips

We all put a lot of time, effort, and energy into having our best hair. But sometimes it can be hard to know if you’re properly carrying for it or unknowingly causing more damage. 

Over the last couple of years I have had the privilege to work with amazing stylists, dermatologists and get tips from my French mother on how to maximize hair health, and I want to share all this incredible information with you.

1. Use a detangle brush

Use a proper detangle brush before getting in the shower. And try to brush to nape of neck, like a low ponytail. Your hair is the most fragile when it’s wet so it’s extremely important that we detangle it as much as possible to avoid breakage. Reducing mechanical stress before washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent unnecessary breakage and cold temperatures can make it worse.

2. Wet your ends first

Once you’re in the shower, put your hair under the water, facing away from the water. Wet your hair starting with the ends and keeping your fingers close to your head. Saturate your hair well with warm water (around 100 degrees Fahrenheit) because this will help to open the cuticle so later the shampoo can really work its way into each strand to remove any product buildup or debris. 

3. Massage your roots

Keep your fingers close to your head and press gently on your follicles to stimulate blood flow and massage your roots only to avoid pulling. Stimulating blood flow helps to get thicker hair growth, your scalp is more important than most people realize.

4. Shampoo close to your hairline

Take a nickel size shampoo and apply it along the hairline and down to the nape of your neck. Make sure you are keeping everything close to the hairline. Then take another nickel size and massage your head, focusing only on your roots.

5. Don't apply shampoo to your ends

Rinse out the shampoo by focusing on the roots and scalp. You don’t need to wash your ends with the shampoo, as it will wash out with the suds. By not applying shampoo on your ends you avoid causing breakage to your fragile, wet hair.

6. Remember conditioner

Condition your hair gently only from the mid-length down, then comb through evenly. Make sure you don’t condition your scalp, as that could result in clogged follicles. Don't overlook other issues like dry scalp either.

7. Give your conditioner time to act

Wait 3-5 mins while the conditioner soaks into the hair so the vitamins, nutrients, and essential oils from the conditioner have time to work their way into the follicles.

8. Dry gently

Out of the shower, towel blot the roots and top of head gently, preferably using a microfiber towel. Microfiber is a very fine material that doesn't rub against your hair to cause breakage. Reducing friction during drying is especially important for maintaining smooth, healthy-looking hair.

9. Detangle after showering

Use a detangling spray after towel drying before brushing it out, not only to avoid breakage but also to even out the porosity of the hair, increase moisture and add nourishment.

10. Brushing is key

Lastly, brush out using the same technique we started with before getting into the shower. 

The Takeaway