Washing your hair is not rocket science. But you shouldn’t take it for granted either.
The things is, there are many misconceptions about the way hair should be washed. And if you’re doing all the wrong things, before you know it, you’ll be dealing with all sorts of hair problems.
Being aware of how you could be washing your hair wrong helps you correct it immediately. If you do it right, washing hair can become a pleasure. These are some of the hair washing mistakes that you should watch out for:
Shampooing hair every single day
This may come as a surprise to some people, but washing your hair too often can cause just as much damage as not washing it at all. If you wash your hair way too much, you’re stripping it of all the natural oils that’s beneficial for your hair and scalp. The actual frequency of how many days you should spend shampooing your hair will depend on your hair type, but here’s a clue: it’s definitely not every single day.
That said, there are some cases when impractical not to wash your hair – such as when you live in really hot climates or you’re really active and sweat a lot on a daily basis. While shampooing shouldn’t be done daily, you can still use your conditioner and other styling products.
Using hot water
It’s tempting, we know. Piping hot water brings some feeling of relief to the hair and scalp, especially when it’s winter and the cold weather is just unbearable. Steamy showers can be relaxing and can really soothe your senses, which is why people go to saunas.
The problem with subjecting your hair to very high temperatures is that heat and hair don’t really mix – or at least they shouldn’t. The general rule is you should keep your hair away from heat as much as you possibly can, but of course some styling tools cannot function without it. Don’t make it worse by showering with really hot water as well.
High temperatures can dry out not just your hair but your scalp. You may not feel it immediately because of the soothing feeling that a hot shower gives you, but this dryness will really affect your hair eventually, especially if you do this on a regular basis.
Not scrubbing enough
Shampoo isn’t something you just put on your hair, rinse off, and then benefit from. Shampoo is great for your hair but it also benefits your scalp, which is actually where the dirt and the oils can really stick.
With vertical strokes using your fingertips, massage the shampoo gently into your scalp. Massage it from the area behind the ears and going all the way up to your crown. You must also massage the back of your head moving down to your nape.
Thinking shampoo is a one-size-fits-all kind of thing
Shampoo may not stay in your hair for too long, but the reason why there are different kinds of shampoo is that there are also multiple hair types. Picking the right kind of shampoo for your hair type is an integral part of washing your hair properly, so read the labels carefully.
When picking your shampoo, think about what kind of hair you have. Most of the time, it’s common sense. If your hair is super oily, you must steer clear from shampoo variants that’s extra moisturizing and overly-hydrating. Instead, a light clarifying one would be more appropriate. On the other hand, if you have dry and damaged hair, you will surely benefit from shampoo with extra moisturizers.
The choice of shampoo and conditioner is also important particularly if you have chemically treated hair. Whether it’s a hair dye, chemical rebond, or perm, you should pick shampoo that’s been specially formulated for hair that’s been chemically changed.
Being too impatient with your conditioner
Some people take really long showers, but there are also those who just want to get it over and done with. If you want to enjoy the full effect of your conditioner, then you must be patient with it. Ideally, you should leave it on your hair for at least 2 minutes, allowing it to set.
Doing this will ensure that you’re really locking in the moisture, and really getting all the benefits that your conditioner was formulated for. If you rinse it off too early, then the effects may not be as long-lasting.
Not rinsing off everything
People spend most of the time lathering the shampoo and massaging their hair, and then end up hurriedly rinsing it off. In fact, you should pay as much attention to the rinsing part, because the last thing you want is for shampoo to stay in your hair even as you dry it out.