Using shampoo and conditioner is a very simple process, but a surprising amount of people do it in a way that will cause both long-term and short-term damage, including follicle-clogging, hair loss, and breakage. Read on to learn how to shampoo and condition your hair in a way that will keep it both healthy and clean in the long run.
Before doing anything else, brush or comb your hair. This will prevent tangles and knots from forming, making the whole rest of the process a lot easier. Next, wet your hair for about half a minute so the shampoo and conditioner can work properly. Afterwards, you’ll want to rub about a large coin-sized drop (depending on how much hair you have) into your hair. Don’t use your fingernails, or you’ll damage your scalp! Once the shampoo is rubbed in sufficiently, just rinse it all out with cold water. The cold water is actually very important since it’s safer for your hair. Using hot water will open your follicles up and you’ll be prone to clogging and hair loss.
Now let’s move onto conditioner. Wring out your hair (or dry it with some other method if you have shorter hair and can’t wring it) so most of the water comes out, but be careful not to tug it. Then, put the same amount of conditioner in the palm of your hand as you did with the shampoo, and apply it to the ends of your hair (stay away from the roots, as this can clog your follicles, creating a whole world of problems nobody wants to deal with). Let it sit for 1-3 minutes (unless the bottle instructs you not to), then rinse it all out with the coldest water you can handle. As an added note, be careful not to tug or pull on your hair too much, as that will easily pull your hair out.
As for drying out your hair, try to avoid using blow-drying. Blot out enough water with a towel until it’s not dripping-wet, and then let it dry out by itself. Letting the air do the work for you is safer since blow-drying can make your hair excessively moisture-deprived and cause damage. Not only that, but the heat will also open up your follicles, leaving them prone to clogging (as with using hot water).
Try to avoid brushing your hair while it’s wet, as this will damage it. Also, when rinsing your hair, do so thoroughly and don’t miss any spots. You wouldn’t want leftover conditioner making your hair all slimy and gross!
And you’re done! You’ve learned how to properly use shampoo and conditioner so as to prevent damage to your hair and keep it looking healthy and alive. Remember to apply the tips outlined above regularly, and your hair is sure to stay healthy and beautiful for a very long time.
