It seems like a simple, obvious question, but it isn’t. You see “directions for use” on the back of shampoos, but they vary from product to product. Should you massage the shampoo into your scalp for a few minutes? Should you leave the shampoo in your hair for a minute before rinsing or rinse immediately?
Well today I’m going to give you the definitive answers – not only on how you should wash your hair, but how you should do it for best results for hair health and growth.
First of all, let’s take a look at some instructions that are on the back of one of the most expensive shampoos in the world, Bioxsine Anti – Hair Loss Herbal Shampoo. After all, a shampoo that costs over $30 for a small bottle, should have some expert directions for us:
How to Apply
Apply Bioxsine Shampoo to wet hair, gently massage the scalp with finger tips for 1.5-2 minutes and rinse well. It can be used daily.
Massage the shampoo into your scalp
Bioxsine advise their users to massage their shampoo into the scalp for for 1.5-2 minutes. This is good advice. People always shampoo their hair, but often they forget the most important part – their scalps. Your scalp is really the part that needs to be cleaned most. Clear pores and a hygienic, healthy scalp are important for healthy hair.
Rinse Well
The point of shampoo is to wash your hair AND scalp. Don’t leave it on your scalp, especially if you’re using a cheap shampoo full of chemicals. Rinse thoroughly using your fingers to clean your scalp.
Don’t worry about losing your hair when you shampoo
Shampooing your hair will not make it fall out. It’s understandable that people worry about their hair loss when they’re washing their hair because that is when the hair loss becomes most obvious – when you see the shed hairs in your hands. However shampooing does not cause hair loss. Don’t worry about the hairs you lose when you wash your hair – they were on their way out and they didn’t fall out because of the shampooing. It’s a bad idea to avoid washing your hair because you’re worried that it will cause increased shedding – you’re only masking the true underlying cause of your hair loss and it’s far better to treat the underlying cause than to avoid washing your hair (which does not cause your hair loss). If you’re worried about your shampoo, switch to a gentle organic shampoo and read my ebook to learn how to reverse your hair loss.
Cold Water or Hot Water – Which is the Best?
Some people wonder whether cold water is better for your hair than hot water. Well, it doesn’t make much difference to the health of your hair in reality. But it may make a difference to the appearance of your hair because hot water rinses more effectively than cold water, so it removes oil more effectively. So, it’s worth giving your scalp a good thorough clean once a week using hot water, massaging the shampoo into your scalp thoroughly and rinsing thoroughly with hot water. This will give your pores a better clean but it may make your hair look dry because you’ve washed away more natural oil than usual. The rest of the time use cool water. If you use cold water, you’ll wash the least amount of oil away. This may make your hair look healthier, but it will also be less clean.
Good and bad shampoos
Most supermarket bought shampoos contain toxic chemicals like sodium lauryl sulphate. At the volumes used in these shampoos the chemicals aren’t hazardous to your health. However they are still toxic chemicals and they won’t do you any good. Some people think they have been effected by the toxic chemicals in shampoos and choose to use shampoos that don’t contain toxic chemicals.
Take a look at these for some examples of really good shampoos:
It all depends on skin type and scalp condition
If you have oily skin you should wash more regularly to keep your pores clear. Consider using a shampoo that contains tea tree oil or salicylic acid to keep your pores clear.
If you have very dry or flaky scalp skin, consider using a shampoo that contains ketoconazole. Research suggests that ketoconazole may also help reduce hair loss.
My advice – the best way to shampoo your hair
The best way to shampoo your hair is to use a good quality shampoo, massage it into your scalp for around a minute and rinse thoroughly. If you use a gentle shampoo it will strip less of the natural oil away and it won’t do you or your hair any harm. Use cool or warm water most of the time to rinse and once a week do a deeper cleanse with hotter water and a more thorough massage. If you use hair gel, always wash your hair before bed – don’t go to bed with products in your hair.
How frequently should you shampoo?
It depends on how oily your scalp and hair get. Take a look at this article for more details:
How frequently should you wash your hair?
