Thursday, April 17, 2014

How to Wash Your Hair Properly



You may be surprised to know that you could be doing it wrong!

By: Don Stacy Patronelli


So you would think that washing your hair is simple enough, right? Well, you may be surprised to know that there is actually a correct technique to washing your hair that you may not be doing. Washing your tresses correctly can make a huge difference in your hairs health, bounce and shine. While was washing your hair incorrectly can cause damage!

Start with a Rinse
Just like you wet your skin before “suds-ing” up, so you should your strands. Make sure your hair is thoroughly wet before adding your shampoo. Keep in mind that hot water will open the cuticle, and is good for removing dirt or product trapped in the hair. It will loosen the oil through the scalp and will also prep the hair for optimal absorption when you are ready to condition.

Long Hair Needs to Condition First
Sounds silly, but a pre-condition will protect fragile ends from drying out and further damage.  Not only will it boost hair health, it will fill any holes in the cuticle with moisture, making it smoother and boosting shine. A really good pre-condition treatment for long hair or any length hair that is dry and damaged is using 100% organic coconut oil. Apply all over to dry hair, concentrating on ends, and wrap hair up in a t-shirt or shower cap. Let it sit for a minimum of 30 minutes, or as long as you desire. Unlike most oils, coconut oil penetrates all the way to the center of the hair follicle. Benefits include: Restores and Shields Hair Protein, Moisturizes and Seals in Moisture, Improves Blood Circulation, Provides Nutrients, and Contains Antibacterial and Anti-fungal Properties.

Lather Up - But only on the Scalp!
Most people don’t realize this, but you only need to shampoo the scalp, particularly at the nape. Lather up from roots to ends. The hair closest to the scalp is the youngest and will inevitably be the oiliest, while the end of the hair is oldest and usually driest, most fragile part of the hair. Keep in mind there is no need to use a lot of shampoo, a high quality concentrated shampoo only requires a dime, whereas most others require a quarter size. If you have super thick, long hair, double it.

Be Gentle
Friction can permanently damage your hair’s cuticle, leading to unwanted breakage and frizz. Think about washing your hair like you would hand wash your delicates – very carefully. As stated earlier, start your lather at the roots. Increase blood flow to the scalp and stimulate hair growth by using vertical strokes with medium pressure. Do not use circular motions, as this can tangle your hair. Next, smooth the lather over the ends in a straight stroking motion. Do not scrub the fragile ends or use a back and forth motion like you’re washing a rag on a washboard!

No Need to Rinse & Repeat!                              
Despite what the instructions on the back of your shampoo bottle may say, there’s no need to wash your hair twice. A double shampoo can potentially strip the hair of necessary oils. If you have extremely oily hair where you feel it needs two shampoos, try switching your shampoo to a more purifying one. We suggest ColorProof ClearItUp Detox Shampoo. It will gently cleanse and deodorize hair while removing dulling build-up, without stripping hair color. Gently enough for daily use!

Time to Condition…
After you've rinsed out your shampoo, “squeeze some of the water out of the hair before you put in the conditioner. Then clip your hair up and finish showering, leaving the conditioner rinse out for the final step of your shower. The longer the conditioner stays on your hair, the better it absorbs. There is no need to apply conditioner at the roots of your hair; as the natural oil from your scalp is more concentrated there.  If you have naturally oily, or fine/flat hair, opt for a light-weight and/or volumizing conditioner to avoid weighing hair down.

A Cold Spritz to Finish the Job!
Just like hot water opens up the cuticle, cold water will shut the cuticle tight, sealing the shingle-like outer layer. This will cause the strands to reflect the most light and give off the most shine, and help seal in all the nutrients and moisture you just put in!