How Can You Wash Your Hair Properly?

Washing your hair may seem like a simple routine in general, but do you know how this seemingly simple task affects your hair health? The more this subject is investigated, the more details can be revealed. How should you wash your hair? Which hair care products should you use? Or how often should you wash your hair? You may be looking for answers on many topics like these, but unfortunately the answer will vary depending on your hair type and hair styling.

How Often Should We Wash Our Hair?

Although washing the hair frequently removes the oil and dirt from your hair, it also takes the natural moisture of the cuticle and therefore dries your hair. Using conditioner after hair washing is one of the right ways to restore lost moisture, but it will still be healthier to create a washing routine according to your hair type and daily routines.

• What is oily scalp? If you can't go more than 24 hours without washing your hair, you may have an oily scalp. People with naturally oily hair don't have to worry about excessive moisture loss from daily shampoo use, as the sebum (oil) on the scalp will always make up for it.
• If you have oily or straight hair, you should wash your hair daily. Normal and dry hair types and wavy hair can wash their hair by taking a break of 2-3 days.
• Another consideration is your age. The sebaceous glands produce less sebum as you age, so you may not need to shampoo as often as before.

Ideally, you should use the coldest water temperature possible when washing your hair. Using very hot water can make your hair dry and lint, which can eventually cause damage. If you find it difficult to take a bath or shower in cold water, you can use warm water for your hair.

How do you know if you're over-washing your hair? If your hair is soft and moist but not greasy in the middle of the day, you are probably washing your hair the right amount. On the other hand, if your hair is dry and lifeless, you may need to reduce the frequency of washing.

What Should You Use When Washing Your Hair?

The shampoo and conditioner recommended by dermatologists are basically sufficient for hair cleaning. Thanks to the shampoo, your hair gets rid of dirt, oil and styling product build-up. You should only apply the shampoo to your scalp to prevent your hair ends from drying out. You should apply conditioner to these areas to help replenish moisture in the middle and ends of your hair.

It is also important to find a shampoo and conditioner suitable for your hair type in healthy hair cleaning. While drier hair types can use products that contain denser, more moisturizing ingredients, oily hair should benefit from light versions. If you have color-treated hair, you should use color-protecting products to reduce color loss with each wash.

Another product worth having on hand is dry shampoo. While providing more volume to straight hair, it gets rid of excess oil on the scalp. There are different types of dry shampoos for oily and normal hair types. The purpose of dry shampoo is to help protect your hair between washes.

Considerations for Colored Hair

Color-treated hair needs less washing, just like dry hair. The less your hair is shampooed, the longer your color will last. However, washing hair infrequently can be difficult for oily colored hair. For this, you can help reduce the number of washings by using dry shampoo every other day. When washing color-treated hair, always make sure that your shampoo, conditioner, and styling products are suitable for color-treated hair. This helps ensure that less pigment is lost. Some products can even be enriched with pigments that build up in your hair with each use, resulting in an overall better vibrancy.

In summary:

• When washing your hair, try not to use your shampoo too much and not to foam too much. Otherwise, your hair may break. Instead, massage the shampoo into your scalp and let it foam up on its own.
• Do not apply conditioner to your scalp, especially if it is oily.
• If you have dyed hair, use products suitable for dyed hair.
• Do not skip washing times when your hair is oily. This can cause a buildup of dirt and oil in your hair and even breakouts along your hairline, back, and chest.
• Do not skip the use of conditioner. If you're short on time, try a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner, or use a leave-in conditioner after a shower.
• Avoid using hot water. This will cause dryness and damage to your hair.
• Do not rub your hair hard with a towel after washing. Instead, press the towel gently into your hair, remove excess water, and let it dry on its own.

Washing your hair is very important to your overall appearance, but it is also a self-care routine. You may need to wash your hair every day, a few times a week, or a few times a month. It all depends on your hair type, style and age.

If you think you are washing your hair with the right amount and you still have concerns, you can consult your dermatologist for advice.