Washing our hair is a simple task that we do mechanically and to which we do not pay much attention. But we should take care of at least four basic aspects so as not to damage the hair. From the temperature of the water to the composition of the shampoo or the way you dry your head, everything influences your hair to look healthy and beautiful.
The three basic steps of washing
- Comb it before washing. It is the best way to detach loose hair and eliminate the remains of hair products.
- Use lukewarm water to rinse. When you want to remove the remains of shampoo, conditioner or mask, do not use very hot water because this tends to dry out the hair.
- Finish with cold water. Although it impresses you a lot, do it whenever you can, because it stimulates the circulation of the scalp. Let the water fall for at least 30 seconds.
Choosing the right shampoo
Sometimes hair is damaged by the use of unsuitable products. When you go to it, look at the label: if it says that it is sulfate-free, the better, because it is less aggressive, especially with sensitive scalp and fine and dyed hair. Sulfates produce a lot of lather, dry out the hair and remove the natural protective oils from the scalp. The best thing is that the shampoo is enriched with moisturizing and plant-based ingredients.
Be careful with the quantity
The cleansing ingredients present in the shampoo remove the oily protective layer from the cuticles, leaving the hair unprotected. In addition, they lighten the color of dyed hair, since they carry the pigments of the dye. Use little shampoo and wash your hair 2-3 times a week at most. There is an obsession with the more lather the better, but if the hair is not very dirty, just applying the shampoo once is enough, dermatologists advise it! A second pass is not necessary. Also, when you lather, massage the shampoo only into the scalp, without rubbing the hair together, because the cuticles lift and break.
Be careful with the water
A recent study ensures that traces of copper from the pipes accumulate in the hair, damaging it. To avoid this, place a filter in the shower head and use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month: it is a purifying shampoo to thoroughly clean the hair and wash away any residues that may have deposited on it.
How to dry it properly
Wet hair is more fragile and easier to break than dry. When you've washed your head, wrap the towel around it like a turban instead of rubbing your hair, because the cuticles lift up and the hair gets frizzy. If you have a lot of hair, use a microfiber towel, more absorbent than the classic cotton one. Detangle it with your fingers or a separate toothed comb, not a brush, and do it strand by strand, holding the roots gently to avoid pulling and breaking.
