Step 1: Shampoo. Step 2: Condition… Simple right? But as it turns out, many of us are making shampoo mistakes that could be causing problems like itchy scalp or even hair loss. So if you enjoy having hair and would like to keep yours, we suggest you read the rest of our grooming tips.
1. You’re shampooing all wrong…
While we live for the luxury of long showers, most of the time we run into the shower and squirt on shampoo ASAP! You should actually rinse your hair for at least 30 seconds before you start shampooing to remove any residue that’s lingering on your hair. If you start with a dry palette, then you’re working harder to get the shampoo off. Warm water loosens excess oil and helps open your pores, allowing for a deeper penetration from your shampoo. So without a wet foundation, you might not be getting all that clean. Once you start shampooing, make sure you massage it into a lather by massaging your scalp to encourage absorption and boost blood circulation for a healthier, flake-free scalp.
2. DO NOT USE YOUR NAILS TO WASH YOUR SCALP.
Do you know how much bacteria is under the human nail? It’s a cesspool of disgust, nail scraping has to stop! Even with cleanser, you can’t kill every germ living under your nails.
We all love a good scalp massage, but be aware of how aggressively you’re going at your scalp when giving it good scrub. If you’re constantly washing with your man claws, you could be irritating and infecting your scalp with those under-the-nail germs. The scraping, yanking, and tearing could also cause hair loss. If you need a good massage to feel clean, use your fingertips and not the nails.
3. DO NOT APPLY SHAMPOO DIRECTLY TO HAIR
Shampoo shouldn’t sit in a blob on one area of your hair. You’re wasting more shampoo than necessary when you don’t spread it evenly through your strands. Drop a small amount on your palm first and then lather. This guarantees even coverage and less money spent on product.
4. MAKE SURE TO RINSE WELL ENOUGH
You may be saving water with a quick shower, but we sincerely hope that you’re taking enough time to thoroughly rinse. If you aren’t spending a moment under the faucet, you could be leaving a lot of buildup. Over time, that residue can cause dandruff- the itchy, scaly, flaky grossness that leaves gunk under your nails when you scratch it. And men are at higher risk of developing dandruff. Take enough time to rinse your roots and use a sulfate free shampoo to reduce the cranial crud.
5. YOU WASH TOO OFTEN
You DO NOT need to wash your hair everyday! Your scalp is meant to have some natural oils. Stripping those will dry out your scalp. Try to only wash it a few times a week. At first it may feel pretty weird skipping out on shampoo everyday. But your hair will look and feel healthier once the natural oil starts to rebuild and replenish your scalp.
6. YOU CONDITION YOUR SCALP AND NOT YOUR ENDS
One of the most common shower mistakes people make is applying conditioner to their scalp. Conditioner is deeply nourishing, and so by applying a layer to your roots, your hair is much more likely to get greasy, sooner. Your scalp is already naturally conditioned with sebum (the oil your body produces), however, as the ends are further from the scalp, they need a little extra TLC, which is why you should concentrate the conditioner here. Start with the ends and condition your way up so your tips have more time to soak up the moisture they need. Make sure you let your conditioner soak into your locks for at least two minutes. Finish with a cold water rinse to close the cuticle, which will help your hair retain moisture and appear smoother.
A rule of thumb: Your shampoo and conditioner work in opposite directions. Wash only your scalp, and condition your ends.
7. YOUR WATER IS TOO HOT
There’s honestly no better feeling than standing under a nice hot shower. While this may work wonders for your stress levels, it’s actually wreaking havoc on your hair. Your hair cuticles don’t seal properly after conditioning and you’re left with hair that is more susceptible to breakage and hair loss. Try to resist the urge to crank up the heat and opt for warm temperatures instead. If you can’t bear the cold, finish your shower with a surge of cold water snapping your cuticles shut and sealing in all of that clean, fresh moisture. Although, remember to rinse your hair thoroughly.
THE RIGHT WAY TO SHAMPOO AND CONDITION
Thoroughly wet your hair.
Lather a quarter size amount of shampoo in your palms and then work into your roots. You don’t need to shampoo the tips of your hair.
Rinse out all of the shampoo.
Apply conditioner, concentrating on the ends.
Rinse with cold water
Keep your routine simple and chemical free with BOYZZ ONLY haircare products.