ARE YOU CLEANING YOUR HAIR RIGHT?

You may say “Yes” but if you are still searching for the “right” shampoo, then perhaps you need to get some basics right.

For years I have seen people complain about their shampoo. It either doesn’t wash off easily, makes the hair greasy, makes the strands too dry, creates frizz, triggers hair fall, or some other hair issue. So is it really the fault of the shampoo or are you doing something wrong? Washing your hair is not really rocket science… At the end of the day, all you need to do is smack on some shampoo on the scalp, build up lather and then rinse. Simple! Or is it?

Between these three simple steps of applying the product, lathering up and rinsing, remain small techniques that can literally make or break your hair. Here are a few essentials to keep in mind:

1) Always thoroughly wet your hair before applying the shampoo. This helps in spreading the product and cleansing better. Applying shampoo on dry hair can entangle and damage strands.

2) Don’t put the product directly on your scalp. Our tendency is to smack on the product right on the crown of the head. This habit creates product buildup and may eventually lead to a bald patch. So the correct application technique is to take the shampoo on your palm and with your finger tips massage it onto your scalp. Much like how you would apply oil on your head.

3) Remember the word shampoo is derived from the Indian word “champi”, which essentially means head massage. So rather than concentrating on lathering the strands, massage your scalp and then work the shampoo through the lengths of the hair for proper cleansing.

4) After the first wash, apply the shampoo once more. Two washes are required for thorough cleansing.

5) Rinse your hair thoroughly by gently rubbing the scalp and strands with your finger tips. Not your nails. Be careful to wash off from the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Finally, to ascertain that it’s squeaky clean, take a thin segment of strands between your fingers and gently rub it. If it makes a “squeaky” sound it means that the hair is washed through.

My tricks: Instead of using a conditioner, I use a hair mask once a week and on the days I shampoo my hair, I massage my head with my blend of hair oil, 20 minutes prior to the wash. After towel drying my hair, I spritz on my Refresher Hair Spray to condition and tame flyaways.