Hair washing is a seemingly banal thing to do. Despite being considered as uncomplicated, this cosmetic act has an immense importance – whether we do this correctly or not it affects the condition of the hair. Find out how you should wash hair and whether some gadgets like a foam maker can be useful.
Cleansing constitutes one of the most important daily hair care habits. In most cases, we use a shampoo to get our hair clean (some people favor using baking soda instead of shampoo) but sadly we keep doing it without greater scrupulousness. This is a mistake that can cost us a lot.
Why should you wash hair correctly?
Washing hair is a kind of a legwork that we don’t pay much attention to. This is bad because when insufficiently cleansed, hair and scalp are more exposed to the following problems:
- itchy and irritated skin
- more oil secretion (greasy hair)
- burdensome dandruff
- hair thinning and weakened strands
To avoid such problems you should learn the right way of hair washing. Luckily, there are just a few rules to memorize to be then introduced to your daily hair care routine. The effects – such as improved hair appearance – appear quickly!
Hair washing: Step-by-step manual
Are you sure how proper hair washing technique looks like? Find out if you do this correctly. If it appears that your hair washing routine needs some improvement, make use of the following hair washing tips.
1. Detangle your hair first
Before treating hair with a shampoo, you must detangle it first. There are no exceptions from this rule so even people with curly hair should reach for a brush before washing. Hair detangling should be considered as the first step of hair washing because bigger impurities can be simply removed from hair due to a comb or brush.
2. Choosing the right shampoo for your hair
What hair shampoo is the best? It must match your hair type, which means that it must be enriched with the right nutrients. For example, if your hair is fine and sensitive, you shouldn’t buy shampoos containing SLS and SLES. Another example, damaged hair should be treated with a shampoo with a high protein content.
3. Adequate portion of shampoo
It’s time to distribute some shampoo in your hand! One portion of this cleansing cosmetic shouldn’t be bigger than a walnut, unless our hair is really long. Shoulder-length and short hair should do with just a small dollop.
4. Making the shampoo ready
The right way of hair washing requires you to thin the shampoo with water before putting it on hair. You can do it in your hand, a cup (so-called the cup method) or a special foam maker (see below) – no matter the technique used, the liquid form of a shampoo must turn to lather before it is applied to hair.
5. Hair washing
Once you do this, you can proceed with hair washing. Lathered shampoo can be put on hair roots, then keep massaging it for a few minutes using circular motions. Focus on the scalp only. The length of hair will be cleansed with the shampoo that flows down so you don’t have to knead it and strain.
6. Hair rinsing
Finally, you have to get rid of the lather. You can use lukewarm water (never hot water!) but also you can try using acidic hair wash that will close the cuticles and leave your hair smooth. Remember to remove the shampoo thoroughly!
What’s the point on thinning down and lathering the shampoo?
When you know the right way that you should use to wash the hair, it has become clear why thinning a shampoo with water is so crucial. Applying a lightweight, runny lather to hair instead of dense shampoo is a good solution because:
- lathered shampoo works gentler on scalp
- you use less shampoo per one washing
- it’s easier to remove lather from hair
- hair tangles less (you skip lathering done on your head)
Foam maker, which is something for gadget lovers
What a foam maker actually is? This is a gadget that allows you to thin shampoo down with water in an easy way. Additionally, you need just a few motions to create the lather. How does it work?
Foam maker looks like a tiny jar but in most cases it’s made of light and safe plastic. You need to pour a portion of shampoo into it, add a few spoons of water and then make the foam. This gadget comes with a special strainer that speeds up lathering. You just need to grab a handle to push it up-and-down and this is how the foam appears within a few seconds.
The good news is that this is a cheap gadget that can be bought in a drug store on ordered online (e.g. on this well-known Chinese auction website).
Should you consider foam maker an essential tool?
Of course, you shouldn’t! For minimalists a foam maker would be just another dust-collector that does nothing but occupies room in a bathroom. Therefore, if you know that you wouldn’t reach for foam maker often, because you wash hair in a rush, don’t buy it. You can thin the shampoo in your hands, a jar or a yogurt cup (#zerowaste, right?).
