Washing your hair seems simple, we’ve been doing it all our lives, right? But doing it the wrong way can lead to dryness, breakage, and even an oily scalp!
The right technique ensures your hair stays clean, healthy, and full of life.
Read along to learn how to properly wash your hair, learn the common mistakes to avoid, and more!
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
How often you should wash your hair depends on your hair type and scalp condition. Over-washing can strip your hair of it's natural oils, leading dryness and breakage. Under-washing may leave your hair oily and matted, making it embarrassing to go out.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Oily Hair → Wash 2-3 times per week, focusing shampooing on the scalp.
- Dry or Curly Hair → Wash 2 times per week to retain moisture.
- Normal Hair → Wash every 2-3 days to maintain balance.
Don't know your hair type? Then read our blog, How to Know Your Hair Type.
If you have oily hair, washing often helps keep it clean, but always use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. For dry or curly hair, daily washing can strip essential oils, making it more prone to damage. If you must wash more often, opt for hydrating shampoos and always use conditioner.
Is It Bad to Wash Your Hair Every Day?
One thing is certain, you should avoid washing your hair every day. As mentioned previously, it can strip your hair of its natural oils. It can even make your hair oily—the opposite effect!
Surprisingly, some people wash their hair every day without issue, but a general rule of thumb is to try to avoid it.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Properly Wash Your Hair
Washing your hair properly isn’t just about applying shampoo and rinsing. It’s a process that ensures your scalp stays clean and protected from damage. Follow these steps for the best results:
Step 1: Brush Your Hair
Brushing your hair will help detangle it and get it ready for washing. You want to make sure to brush before wetting your hair, since wet hair is weaker and more prone to breaking.
You can brush your hair with a wide-tooth comb.
Step 2: Wet Your Hair
Now you're ready to wash your hair!
Make sure to wet your hair thoroughly. Let your hair get wet for a few minutes while moving your fingers through it to make sure it gets all the strands.
Avoid using hot water because this could dry out your hair. Instead, use lukewarm water, which helps open the hair cuticle and allow for a deeper cleanse.
Step 3: Lather up with Your Favorite Shampoo
You'll want to squeeze a small amount (about a nickel-sized) of shampoo in your palm, mix it with some water, then lather it up. This helps make the shampoo easy to mix into your hair.
Ensure to focus working the shampoo into the scalp and along the hair to the mid-lengths. No need to work on the ends—your shampoo will cleanse the lengths as you rinse. Just make sure you aren't too rough with the scalp, since you could irritate it or dry it out.
For washing, you'll want to make sure you have the right shampoo for your hair type. Our Recover Me Shampoo works for all hair types, removes impurities and is made with an organic formula.
Pro-tip: Try giving yourself a nice, relaxing scalp massage while working the shampoo into your scalp. Not only do they feel relaxing, they have a lot of health benefits. Check out our scalp massage article to learn more.
Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse for at least a few minutes with lukewarm water. Work your hands through your hair, splitting it in sections if needed. Your goal is to make sure no shampoo residue remains. Leaving residue can lead to product build-up, which can cause irritation and clogged pores.
Step 5: Repeat Wash and Rinse
Repeating Steps 3 & 4 ensures you remove any remaining residue. It's not just to use more product!
Step 6: Condition Properly
Apply conditioner from mid-lengths to ends, avoiding the scalp to prevent greasiness.
Let it sit for 2-5 minutes to allow hydration to penetrate. Make sure to read the product directions to know the proper amount of time to leave-in.
Pro-tip: For a a deeper hydration, you can add a deep-conditioning hair mask to your routine. Hair masks contain potent formulas with nutrients that penetrate the hair, leaving you with a healthier, softer hair. You only need to use them once per week, and can replace your regular conditioner for that wash day.
Our Hydra Glow Mask is a great hair mask with biotin and asian rice. It works great for frizzy, damaged and color-treated hair.
Step 7: Final Rinse with Cool Water
Cool water helps seal the cuticle, adds shine, and reduces frizz.
Step 8: Dry Hair Gently
Use a towel and squeeze out excess water gently or pat down—avoid rough towel drying, which can cause damage. Even better, wrap your hair in a Microfiber Hair Towel. It will help absorb the water and dry your hair naturally and efficiently. And leave your hair frizz-free!
We’ve got a whole post on After Shower Hair Care here.
Follow these steps so that your hair stays clean, hydrated, and strong without unnecessary damage!
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Your Hair
Even with the best products, certain habits can damage your hair over time. Avoid these common mistakes to keep your strands healthy and vibrant:
1. Using Too Much Shampoo
More product doesn’t mean cleaner hair! A nickel-sized amount (or a little more for long hair) is enough.
2. Washing with Hot Water
Hot water strips moisture from your hair, making it dry and frizzy. Always use lukewarm water to wash and cool water for the final rinse to seal the cuticle.
3. Scrubbing Too Hard
Massaging your scalp is great, but aggressive scrubbing can irritate the scalp and lead to excess oil production or dandruff. Use gentle, circular motions with your fingertips, never your nails.
4. Applying Conditioner to the Scalp
Conditioner should be applied only to the mid-lengths and ends. Applying it to the scalp can cause buildup and greasiness.
5. Not Rinsing Properly
Product residue can lead to scalp irritation, buildup, and dull-looking hair. Rinse your hair for at least a minute to ensure all shampoo and conditioner are completely removed.
6. Rough Towel Drying
Rubbing your hair with a towel causes friction, frizz, and breakage. Instead, use a microfiber towel or a cotton T-shirt to gently squeeze out excess water.
7. Using Hard Water
The water coming out of your shower could secretly be drying out your hair! Some areas have hard water, which contains minerals like calcium and magnesium. These can build up on your hair, drying it out and causing other problems.
If you live in an area with hard water, you should install a filtered shower head. They help filter out the chemicals and leave you cleaner water.
By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll protect your hair from unnecessary damage and keep it looking its best!
Conclusion
Washing your hair properly is important for keeping a healthy, beautiful head of hair. Make sure to remember these steps for your next wash day.
Now that you know how to wash your hair, now you just need to have the right products for your hair care routine. Take your hair care routine to the next level with our organic, cruelty-free products. at Agua de Cielo. Because healthy hair starts with the right wash!
Hair Washing FAQs
How long should you wait to wash your hair after getting highlights?
You should wait at least 48 hours after getting highlights to allow the color to fully set. Washing too soon can cause fading and dryness. Use a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and rinse with cool water to preserve your color. Make sure to use cold-water and quality products.
How long do you have to wait to wash your hair after a perm?
After a perm, wait 48-72 hours before washing your hair to allow the curls to fully set. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and avoid harsh scrubbing to keep your curls intact.
How to wash your hair with braids?
To keep your braids clean and fresh, wash them once a week with a diluted shampoo mix. Mix shampoo and water in a bottle with a nozzle, then squeeze it onto your scalp. Gently wash without messing up the braids. Rinse really well, then use a light conditioner and rinse again.
To keep your hair moisturized, spray a liquid leave-in conditioner and dry your braids under a hooded dryer so they don’t get mildew. To keep them looking neat, redo the braids around the edges every 2-3 weeks. Try not to wear them for more than six weeks to keep your natural hair healthy.
