The trick to washing hair more effectively
Nobody is perfect, but the latest word on the humble art of shampooing seems to suggest that we humans are incapable of getting anything right.
Just when you thought you wouldn't possibly require a tutorial on how to wash your hair, a haircare expert has come out to tell us just that.
According to Janis McNicholas – whose authority on the subject probably lies somewhere within her impressive title of Scientific Regional Trainer for French haircare brand Klorane – your go-to method of squeezing shampoo onto your palm and applying the dollop straight into your hair is the wrong approach.
This technique uses up more shampoo than necessary, which can result in limp hair. The vigorous foaming also puts wet hair at risk of damage.
So what's the correct way to get our locks cleaned? Here are the steps, as told by McNicholas to Huffington Post Australia.
- Rinse your hair with lukewarm water. Apply a tiny amount of shampoo into the palm of your hand.
- Rub your hands vigorously together, distributing the shampoo onto the fingers while keeping the majority on the palms.
- Beginning at the back of your neck, push fingers through the scalp, combining in the centre, keeping palms off and away from the scalp.
- Rub hands again, distributing more product onto your fingers and work the product from the fingers through the crown.
- Repeat the process moving forward to towards the forehead.
- Once the product has been distributed through the scalp, start at the nape and very gently massage the scalp in circular motions. Do not do this this too vigorously.
- The lather of the shampoo can then be 'raked' or distributed through the mid lengths and the ends of the hair using your fingertips.
- Rinse well.
According to McNicholas the eight-step hair wash procedure would ensure a squeaky-clean scalp and would require less shampoo too.
"Many people have an oily t-zone and that doesn't just stop at the hairline, it extends to the scalp. As the scalp is an extension of the skin, it is important to remove impurities, dry skin build up and sebaceous oil," said McNicholas to Huffington Post Australia.
To condition your hair, use the same method, but apply the conditioner to the mid lengths rather than the scalp.
Will you give this new method a try? Let us know in the comments below.
First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.
Related links:
Hair care secrets from an 81-year-old fashion blogger
Tips for dealing with scalp sensitivity and dandruff
How to cut your shower time in half