Hair washing tutorial: Tips and tricks to get it right
The scalp and hair require the same gentle but careful attention as the skin of the face and body. The scalp has a dense network of blood vessels and nerves, making it a very sensitive area. A healthy scalp is supple, hydrated and pale pink on the surface. Healthy hair is shiny and elastic, does not fall flat and is firmly attached to the follicle. Both of these qualities are lost more quickly and more spectacularly if we treat our hair and scalp with inappropriate movements, materials and tools. If you are curious about more and want to learn deeper about caring for your beauty, take a look here.
How to wash your hair correctly?
If you only take one thing away from this article, it should be this: When washing your hair, wash the scalp, not the hair itself. It’s considered greasy hair if you wash it in the morning and it’s buckled in the evening — if it’s oily by the next day, third day, or even fourth day, you’ve got perfectly good hair. You should also massage your scalp dry for at least 10 minutes once a day to stimulate proper blood circulation, nutrient and water supply to the hair follicles and normal functioning of the sebaceous glands. You can comb your hair before washing if necessary, but always starting from the bottom up and not from the top of the head, as this will only generate bigger and bigger tangles.
Shampooing: shampoo on the roots, conditioner on the ends. You will need about half a walnut’s dose of the shampoo, which should be deeply massaged into the scalp. You have to be very careful to dilute the shampoo properly, which 90% of people forget or don’t even know to do before washing. The optimum amount to mix is one tablespoon of shampoo diluted with 100 ml of water. This quantity is enough for two washes with a good quality shampoo.
Generally, manufacturers indicate the duration of action, which should be followed even if there is little time to wash the hair. Conditioners should be used after shampooing depending on their active ingredients. Balms are used to help comb out the hair and should be preceded by gently squeezing the water out of the hair with a towel. Rubbing and twisting is not recommended.
Take time to wash your hair! Loosen up thick hair to clean it all over. A quick, few-move shower will never be as effective as a thoughtful hair wash. It’s best to wash your hair while leaning into the bath because this way you can get your cleansing just right. You can combine it with showering by washing the conditioner off while you’re showering, but it’s best done separately because you have much better access “upside down”.
Hair care
Nutrient-rich packs should be applied to a pre-dried scalp, as it is harder for the active ingredients to be absorbed from water-filled follicles. In cases of severe hair loss, it is recommended to apply the active ingredients to the scalp after it has been completely dried, so that there is no residual water in the follicle to reduce absorption time. For frizzy hair, it is also recommended to use these treatments, but as the hair is drier, a conditioner can be combed into the hair without flushing.
Hair drying was invented to protect the scalp, but you don’t use a machine that blows hot air. They are used in salons to create a long-lasting hairstyle. The scalp needs to be dried because the slow evaporation makes it cold easily. The swollen epithelium, which has been sucked dry by water, is very fragile and cracks after drying, resulting in more peeling, which is the first symptom of a cold scalp. At the same time, it provides a good medium for pathogens, especially fungi. Use a comb or brush made of wood, bone or bristle to dry your hair, and wash it carefully after each use.
In the period between hair washes, the hair may become knotted or tangled. Long-haired people should observe how often they wear synthetic fibre garments, as these electrically charge the hair, opening up the hair scales and making it easier for the hair to ‘fly’. To prevent this, you can use hair-end conditioning oils and waxes.
It follows from the above care of our hair and scalp also requires a sufficient investment of time and energy if we want a spectacular and healthy result. Choose your products and tools with great care, to ensure that your hair is a jewel and not a problem to be solved.
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319848
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-wash-your-hair
