Ever heard your nani or dadi claim that they’ve never had dandruff or an itchy scalp? If you wonder how the answer might very well be a great hair wash and drying routine that’s effective. So if you are on the hunt for remedies for a squeaky clean scalp, devoid of buildup and a hair drying regime that doesn’t result in frizzy, dry or limp hair, you are in the right place. TC46 brings you the ultimate tips on how to wash hair and dry it for healthy, shiny locks!
Read Here: 10 Ways To Keep Your Hair Healthy!
How Often Should You Wash Hair?
The frequency of washing your hair depends on the type of hair that you have. Let’s take a look at what your hair-washing schedule should look like based on your hair type. If you are planning to take a shortcut and planning how to clean hair without shampoo, you may use a dry shampoo during urgent situations. Otherwise, the following tips can be your go-to guide regarding the frequency with which you should wash your hair.
- If you have oily hair or use hair care products daily should ideally wash your hair once every 1 to 2 days
- People with dry hair should wash their hair comparatively less frequently
- For textured or wavy hair, you should wash it once every 1 to 2 weeks
4 Factors You Should Consider While Choosing The Right Haircare Products
The 4 factors that you should keep in mind to decide on the right hair care products while are as below.
1. Texture
Take a hair strand and press it between your thumb and index finger. If you can distinctly feel the strand, you have thick hair that is prone to frizz. If you can feel the hair strand to a certain extent, you have a medium or normal texture. If your hair strand cannot be felt between the thumb and index finger, you have fine hair that is sensitive to damage.
2. Shape
Straight hair may lack volume and lustre while curly hair is usually more prone to frizziness and dryness. You need to select your hair care products accordingly.
3. Type Of Scalp
After you wash your hair, allow it to air dry. Do not apply any products. After 2 to 4 hours, dab tissue paper gently on the crown of your head. If it looks the same, you have a dry scalp that is possibly rough, dull, frizzy, and prone to dandruff. If you observe only a few traces of oil n the tissue paper, you have a normal scalp. In case the crown of your head leaves a lot of oily traces on the tissue paper, you have an oily scalp that is prone to appear flat and greasy.
4. Porosity
Porosity can be defined as your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. The most effective way to know the porosity of our hair is to sip a hair strand into a bowl of water and wait for some time. If it dips in water almost immediately, your hair is highly porous. This implies that the hair is damaged, probably due to tears in the cuticle. If it floats on the surface, your hair is low in porosity. This is a condition caused when the cuticle lies flat and, hence, moisture and haircare products are difficult to be absorbed. You have medium porosity if the strand remains suspended in the middle. This kind of hair has sufficient moisture and is high on product retention.
2-Step Process On How To Wash Hair The Correct Way
1. Wash Your Hair Properly
Wondering how to wash hair properly or how to wash hair after oiling? You can also follow the below steps if you want to know how to wash hair after applying henna. It’s important to keep the hair and the scalp squeaky clean. Here are the steps to get started on how to shampoo your hair properly.
- Cleanse your scalp and hair thoroughly with a good shampoo, suitable for your hair type.
- While washing your hair, wet it completely, take some shampoo and mix it with water and then apply.
- Use circular motions to get a squeaky clean scalp.
- Don’t go too harsh and massage gently.
- Make sure the oil on your scalp and hair is removed completely.
Remember this guide on how to wash your hair properly the next time you shampoo. You can also refer to the above tips to know how to wash hair after oiling.
2. Do Not Skip The Conditioner
While on your way to knowing how to keep your hair clean and healthy, the next step is to apply conditioner. The right conditioner according to your hair type can work wonders for your hair. A conditioner will help you in keeping your hair soft and smooth.
- Choose a nourishing conditioner or hair mask, and apply only till your mid-lengths
- If you have thick hair you can use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the conditioner evenly on your hair
- Keep it for 5-7 mins and then rinse thoroughly
5 Tips On How To Dry Hair After Washing Like A Pro
Now that we are done with discussing how to wash hair thoroughly, let’s move on to understanding how to dry it properly. A simple guide on how to wash hair and blow-dry it can be the easiest way to get a great hairstyle. So, how do you get that great blowout without blowing out your wallet? Use the right hairbrush and dry your hair in sections (if you have bangs, dry those first). Starting with the side sections, take half of the section and pull it taut with your round brush while aiming the blow dryer at your roots. Repeat until the section is dry. Finish the other side and end with the top. Don’t rotate the brush too much as it can cause tangling. Finish up with a quick blast of cold air to calm the frizz.
- Wait for at least 15 minutes before blow-drying your hair
- Apply products to protect your hair from excessive heat while blow drying
- Skip the high heating setting of your heating tools
- Divide your hair into sections and blow-dry your hair accordingly
- Use hair-drying tools that do not damage your hair.
7 More Dos And Don’ts About How To Shampoo Hair
Here are some more tips to remember on how to shampoo hair and how not to.
1. DO Brush Your Hair Before Wetting It
Your scalp and hair are covered with dust particles that are not visible to your naked eye. Hence, brushing your hair before washing it can help in removing the dirt on your hair and scalp. This will help in achieving cleaner hair after the wash. A clean scalp is definitely beneficial for healthy hair.
2. DO Lather Shampoo On Your Palm Before Applying It
It is the bubbles that weave magic while absorbing and cleansing dirt and grime off your hair. Lather the shampoo thoroughly for it to serve as an effective cleansing agent by penetrating deeper into the roots of your hair. hence, after you take shampoo out from the bottle, lather it well and then apply it on your hair rather than applying it on your hair directly.
3. DO Rinse Your Hair Thoroughly
The shampoo helps in removing dirt and dust from your hair. However, it can clog your hair follicles if you do not wash them off completely. We often tend to overlook the neckline, hairline, and back of the ears while washing off the shampoo. The shampoo that stays back in your hair will irritate your scalp and cause itching, leading to serious scalp conditions like dandruff and others. Make sure to wash especially these parts thoroughly with water.
4. DON’T Apply Shampoo Directly On Your Scalp
This is one of the most common problems that most people tend to commit – applying the shampoo directly on the scalp instead of first lathering it. It could cause harm to your scalp as the cleansing ingredients of your shampoo may penetrate your scalp first. this, in turn, may lead to the scalp absorbing more moisture, making your scalp more oily than it is naturally.
5. DON’T Use Your Nails While Scrubbing
Gently use your fingers and palm while scrubbing and massaging shampoo on your hair and scalp. Using nails is most likely to prove to be detrimental for your hair and scalp, causing damage to the scalp and also weakening hair follicles.
6. DON’T Apply Conditioner On Your Scalp
A conditioner must be applied to your hair only, unless you are using a scalp conditioner. Know how to wash hair properly and condition it. More specifically, your conditioner should be applied from the middle to the end of your hair, since it is this part that demands hydration the most.
7. DON’T Wash Hair With Very Hot Water
This is yet another common practice – taking a shower in hot water. When it comes to how to shampoo hair, hot water when used for rinsing hair can strip it of its essential oils and moisture. It leaves the scalp dehydrated and your hair tends to get frizzy and static post-wash. We would recommend that you use lukewarm water for your hair wash and end it with a cold rinse. Cold water seals the moisture in your hair and leaves your scalp hydrated.
The real reason your hair looks and feels so good after a proper hair wash is a well-executed hair care routine. Know how to wash your hair and get that same effect at home with these hair washing and drying tips and learn how to take your hair care game to the next level.
