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How to wash your hair properly (step by step)
- Step 1: Fully wet your hair
- Step 2: How much shampoo should you use?
- Step 3: Where should you apply shampoo: scalp or lengths?
- Step 4: How long should you massage the scalp?
- Step 5: Rinsing your hair: how long and how thoroughly?
- Step 6: Applying conditioner
- Step 7: Drying your hair without causing damage
- Should you wash your hair with cold or warm water?
- How often should you wash your hair?
- Benefits of not washing your hair
- Does washing your hair every day promote hair growth?
- Can you wash your hair with hand soap?
- How do you wash your hair without water?
- Conclusion
Washing and styling your hair properly is essential for maintaining healthy, vibrant hair that looks its best. A good hair care routine starts with choosing the right products for your hair type. Before washing your hair, it is important to brush it thoroughly with a comb or brush. This helps to minimise hair breakage, especially if you have long hair.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about washing your hair the right way, so that you can style it more easily afterwards and keep your hair healthy.
How to wash your hair properly (step by step)
Step 1: Fully wet your hair
Always begin by thoroughly wetting your hair. Make sure the water reaches all areas, especially if you have thick or long hair. This helps to loosen dirt, excess sebum and product build up before washing.
Before washing, gently brush your hair with a comb or brush to reduce the risk of breakage during washing.
Step 2: How much shampoo should you use?
Use a small amount of shampoo, roughly the size of a coin. If you have long or thick hair, you may need a little more. Using too much shampoo is usually unnecessary and can be harder to rinse out, which may lead to product build up.
First work the shampoo into a light lather between your palms. Then gently massage it into the scalp using your fingertips or a scalp brush. Try not to use your nails, as they can damage the scalp by scratching or rubbing.
It is best to wash your hair with lukewarm water, around 34 to 38 degrees Celsius. Water that is too hot can strip the scalp of its natural oils and may cause dryness.
Leave the shampoo on for a few minutes so the ingredients have time to work. Then rinse your hair thoroughly after three to five minutes, making sure no product residue remains.
Step 3: Where should you apply shampoo: scalp or lengths?
Shampoo should be applied mainly to the scalp, not to the lengths of the hair. The scalp produces sebum, and this is where most build-up of dirt, sweat and styling products occurs. The main purpose of shampoo is to cleanse the scalp and the hair roots.
Step 4: How long should you massage the scalp?
Massage your scalp for 1 to 2 minutes using your fingertips. This helps stimulate blood circulation and supports a healthy scalp environment. A gentle massage can also help loosen dirt and excess sebum without disturbing the natural balance of the skin.
You can also use a scalp or shampoo brush for this step. It helps distribute the shampoo evenly and provides a gentle massage without the need to use your nails on the scalp. Always apply light pressure to avoid irritation.
Step 5: Rinsing your hair: how long and how thoroughly?
Rinsing your hair is just as important as washing it. Rinse your hair thoroughly for at least 1 to 2 minutes with lukewarm water, around 34 to 38 degrees Celsius, until the water runs completely clear. Any shampoo left behind can lead to itching, flakes or a heavy feeling in the hair.
Step 6: Applying conditioner
Take a suitable amount of conditioner and apply it to the mid lengths and ends of your hair. These parts of the hair are older, drier and therefore more prone to damage. Conditioner helps to hydrate the hair, smooth the cuticle and make the hair easier to comb. This reduces the risk of hair breakage and frizz.
Use a comb or your fingers to distribute the conditioner evenly through the lengths of your hair. Avoid applying it to the scalp, as conditioner can make the hair at the roots feel greasy more quickly.
Leave the conditioner on for a few minutes so the nourishing ingredients can soften and protect the hair shaft. Then rinse it out thoroughly. A final rinse with lukewarm water, around 34 to 38 degrees Celsius, can help close the hair cuticle, which helps to improve shine and reduce frizz.
Step 7: Drying your hair without causing damage
After rinsing out the conditioner, gently squeeze the excess water from your hair using your fingers or a microfibre towel. Avoid rubbing your hair, as this can cause breakage and damage. Instead, gently press and squeeze the hair to remove the water.
Let your hair air dry whenever possible or use a hair dryer on a low heat setting. If you use a hair dryer, always apply a heat protectant first. For the overall health of your hair, allowing it to air dry is generally the better option.
Infographic: How to wash your hair
Should you wash your hair with cold or warm water?
Warm water helps dissolve oils and remove dirt. For this reason, lukewarm water is best for washing your hair. The ideal temperature is between 34 and 38 degrees Celsius. This is warm enough to loosen sebum and dirt effectively, while still being gentle enough to maintain the scalp’s natural protective barrier.
A final rinse with cool or cold water may help close the hair cuticle and improve shine. However, it is not necessary to wash your hair entirely with cold water. Choose a temperature that feels comfortable for your scalp.
How often should you wash your hair?
How often you should wash your hair depends on several factors, including your hair type, the condition of your scalp, and your personal preferences. If you would like to learn more, read our blog about how often you should wash your hair.
Benefits of not washing your hair
Although maintaining good hygiene is important, some people choose to follow a “no poo” or low poo approach. This means washing the hair less frequently or avoiding traditional shampoos altogether. Supporters of this method claim several potential benefits, including:
- Retention of natural oils: washing the hair less often may help preserve the scalp’s natural oils, which nourish and hydrate the hair.
- Improved hair texture: some people find that their hair feels softer, smoother and easier to manage when they reduce how often they wash it. Natural oils can help protect the hair shaft and maintain moisture balance.
- Less reliance on styling products: by reducing the use of stronger shampoos and styling products, some people find they can achieve a more effortless and natural hairstyle.
However, in some cases not washing your hair can lead to drier hair or scalp related issues. It is important to be aware that avoiding washing altogether may cause problems that need to be addressed with scalp care products.
For this reason, experts at Neofollics Hair Technology do not recommend completely stopping washing your hair. Washing less frequently can sometimes be a better option, depending on your individual hair and scalp condition.
Does washing your hair every day promote hair growth?
Washing your hair every day does not directly promote hair growth. The speed at which hair grows is mainly determined by genetics and overall health. However, maintaining a clean and healthy scalp can help create an environment that supports optimal hair growth.
In addition to proper cleansing, using targeted hair care products may help support the condition of the scalp. Products from the Neofollics Hair Growth product line, for example, are developed to care for the scalp and support the natural hair growth cycle.
Here is how regular washing may influence hair growth indirectly:
- Scalp health: washing your hair regularly helps remove dirt, excess oil and product build up. These can clog hair follicles and may interfere with healthy hair growth. A clean scalp allows the hair follicles to function properly and supports healthier hair growth.
- Blood circulation: massaging the scalp while washing your hair can stimulate blood circulation to the hair follicles. Improved blood flow delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to the hair roots, which can help support healthy hair growth.
- Hydration: a clean scalp helps maintain a balanced moisture level. Washing too often or using harsh shampoos can strip the scalp and hair of their natural oils, which may lead to dryness and potential damage. On the other hand, washing too infrequently can cause excess sebum build up, making the hair look greasy and heavy. Finding the right balance by washing regularly and gently helps maintain a healthy level of hydration in the scalp, which indirectly supports hair growth.
- Using body wash instead of shampoo is not recommended. Body washes are designed to cleanse the skin, whereas shampoos are specifically formulated to clean the hair and scalp.
- Shampoos also address specific hair and scalp concerns and provide conditioning and detangling benefits that body washes do not offer. It is therefore best to choose a shampoo that suits your hair type.
Can you wash your hair with hand soap?
Although it is possible to wash your hair with hand soap in emergency situations or as a temporary solution, it is not ideal for regular use. Hand soap is formulated for cleaning the hands and may contain harsher ingredients compared with shampoos that are specifically designed for the hair.
Here are some reasons why using hand soap on your hair is not recommended:
- Different formulations: hand soap is designed to remove dirt, oils and germs from the hands, while shampoos are formulated specifically to cleanse the hair and scalp. Hand soap may contain ingredients that can dry out or irritate the scalp and hair.
- pH levels: the pH level of hand soap is usually higher than that of shampoos, which can disrupt the natural pH balance of your scalp. This may lead to dryness, irritation and potential damage to the hair.
How do you wash your hair without water?
In practice, it is not possible to fully wash your hair without water. Water is needed to rinse away dirt, sebum and product build up from both the hair and the scalp. Without water, much of this build up will remain.
There are, however, products that can temporarily refresh the hair. Dry shampoo is the most common option. This product absorbs excess oil at the roots, making the hair appear less greasy and adding some volume. However, it does not cleanse the scalp in the same way as a regular wash.
Dry shampoo can therefore be a practical solution between washes, for example when you are short on time or want to freshen your hair for a day. It does not replace proper cleansing with water and shampoo. For a healthy scalp, it is still important to wash your hair regularly with water and a suitable shampoo.
Regularly washing your hair with water and appropriate hair care products is important for maintaining scalp health, removing impurities and keeping your hair in optimal condition.
FAQ
Does wetting your hair without washing it help?
Wetting your hair without using shampoo can help rinse away some sweat, dust and loose dirt. However, it does not remove excess sebum or product build up from the scalp.
If your hair feels greasy at the roots, water alone is usually not enough to clean it properly. In that case, washing with a gentle shampoo is more effective. Simply wetting the hair can still be useful for restyling or for rinsing away light dirt temporarily.
Conclusion
To wash your hair properly, use water, shampoo and conditioner in the correct order. Water helps loosen dirt and excess sebum. Shampoo cleanses the scalp and removes build up from styling products. Conditioner then restores moisture in the lengths of the hair and helps reduce breakage and frizz.
Alternative methods, such as using only water or dry shampoo, do not provide a complete cleanse and cannot replace a proper wash. By washing your hair regularly and in the right way, you support a healthy scalp and keep your hair in optimal condition.
This information does not replace professional medical advice. If in doubt, always consult a doctor or specialist.
