Do you wash your hair properly? Washing hair seems as simple as it gets, but are you doing it correctly? (Spoiler: You’re probably not).
Washing your hair is one of those automatic, routine activities you completely forget about immediately after you finish. Because it’s so intuitive, it’s easy not to give it that much thought.
But as it turns out, washing your hair is more complex than it seems.
The ideal approach to washing hair isn’t common knowledge, so kids are often taught some less than ideal habits. This is a big deal because improper washing can damage hair and lead to problems like thinning, breakage, and brittleness.
And it’s not just the shower routine that most people get wrong. There’s a whole process that starts before you even grab a bottle off the shelf, and many guys are flat out unaware.
You probably don’t know the best way to wash your hair unless you grew up with hairstylist parents.
But it’s never too late to learn how to properly wash your hair, and that’s where this article comes in. I’ll take you through the whole process, from analyzing your hair type to drying your hair correctly.
3 Things To Know About Washing Your Hair
First, it’s crucial to understand that the right way to wash your hair will depend on your hair and what you want to do with it.
That means you need to know three things:
1. Understand Your Hair Type
Hair type is one of the biggest factors in setting an effective hair washing routine. If you have fine or thin hair and are using a shampoo meant for thick hair, you not only won’t get the best results but also will risk damaging your hair.
People talk about hair types in all kinds of ways, but there are two important elements you need to know: thickness and texture.
Thickness refers to the width of your individual hair strands. (This is different from hair density, which is the amount of strands on your head).
If you can barely feel a strand of hair between your fingers, you have finer or thinner hair. On the other hand, if a single strand has a substantial feel, you have thicker hair.
The texture is the behavior of your hair. This is generally grouped into four categories: straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair, and coiled or kinky hair.
A good way to figure out your texture is by cutting or plucking a strand of hair and analyzing its curl pattern or lack thereof. For an easier time, you can compare it to the popular Andre Walker hair type chart.
2. Choose the Right Products for Your Hair Type
Once you know your hair type and behavior, you’ll know what to look for when shopping for hair products.
A good shampoo or conditioner will keep your hair and scalp healthy while also counteracting any negative elements like dryness or breakage.
First, take your hair type into consideration. You may want a thickening or volumizing shampoo if you have fine hair. If you have thick hair that’s on the coarser side, you’ll need something with a softening/smoothing effect.
Here’s a quick rundown of what kinds of properties you should look for in hair products depending on your hair type and behavior:
- Fine hair: thickening or volumizing
- Thick hair: softening or moisturizing
- Dry hair: moisturizing
- Oily hair: Oil-free, grease-removing
- Damaged hair: nourishing, nutrient-rich
- Curly hair: moisturizing
- Coiled/kinky hair: moisturizing
Second, consider whether your hair is damaged in any way. Is your hair dry? You’ll want a nice moisturizing shampoo to provide the hydration you need.
Struggle with split ends and breakage? Grab a nourishing shampoo that provides restorative nutrients.
Third, look at the ingredients before buying any product.
If you see lots of artificial compounds like sulfates, silicones, phthalates, or parabens, you’ll want to steer clear — these are way too harsh on your hair.
Instead, look for more natural formulas that use organic ingredients like oils and plant extracts. It’s hard to go wrong with a sulfate-free shampoo like R+Co Cactus Texturizing Shampoo or Jack Black True Volume Thickening Shampoo.
And finally — avoid 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 combo products. Shampoo and conditioner work most effectively when each product is selected based on your needs and applied separately.
3. Don’t Wash Your Hair Every Day
You probably already know this one, but it bears repeating: Don’t shampoo and conditioner every single day.
Washing your hair daily strips natural oils that keep your scalp and follicles hydrated, which can lead to dryness.
At most, you should be washing your hair every other day — but you can (and probably should) go longer if you’re able.
As a rule of thumb, the more oily your hair is, the more often you should wash it. If you tend to grease up quickly, then wash your hair every other day. If you have drier hair that doesn’t get too oily, you can go as long as a week or two without a wash.
However, if you regularly use hair products, you’ll want to wash your hair more often to prevent buildup. It’s also a good idea to use a clarifying shampoo once every week or so for a deeper clean that removes any gunk.
How to Properly Wash Your Hair (for Men)
Now that you know the fundamental dos and don’ts of washing your hair, let’s look at what you should actually be doing in the shower.
Here are 6 steps to better hair washing:
1. Use Cooler (and Preferably Softer) Water
The water you use makes a huge impact on your hair. This makes sense once you think about it, but it’s not obvious.
You need to pay attention to two factors: hardness and temperature.
Ideally, your shower water should be on the softer side. That’s because hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that can reduce product effectiveness and dry out or otherwise damage your hair.
It’s easy to see how hard or soft your water is by purchasing water hardness test strips or a test kit. If you find that your shower water is fairly hard, purchasing a home water softener (or a softener showerhead if you rent) is a good idea.
In terms of temperature, it’s generally better to use lukewarm or colder water. Water that’s too hot can cause frizziness and irritate your hair cuticles.
2. Use a Thumbnail-Sized Amount of Shampoo
Going overboard with products is easy, even if you have short hair. Using too much product can clog up your scalp, so it’s best to start small and add more if needed.
Guys with shorter hair should typically use about a thumbnail-sized amount of shampoo. If you have medium-length or longer hair, use about double that amount.
Pay attention to how much coverage you’re able to get and whether it feels like any areas of your head are getting left out. This will help you calibrate the right amount of product for your hair.
3. Gently Massage Your Scalp With Your Fingertips (Not Nails)
Effective shampooing is all about the scalp. You don’t need a lot of product on your strands; rather, you want to ensure your entire scalp gets covered.
Apply gentle but firm pressure with your fingertips and massage your scalp for about 1-2 minutes. It’s important not to be too rough here, but you need to massage your whole scalp with small, light movements.
It’s also important to avoid using your nails, which can irritate your scalp. Stick to using your fingertips (and make sure they’re clean if you haven’t already).
Example of what to do:
What not to do:
See the difference?
4. Rinse Thoroughly!
One of the biggest mistakes most guys make in the shower is not rinsing well enough. You should spend as much time rinsing as shampooing, but you can even spend a little longer rinsing to ensure everything’s out.
For best results, rinse with colder water. The colder the water, the less it will dry out your scalp.
5. Apply Conditioner
Treating your hair with conditioner is an important part of the hair washing process. However, shampoo and conditioner have different functions — shampoos clean, conditioners restore — so they need to be applied differently.
Most guys should apply a thumbnail-sized amount of conditioner to the ends of their hair. (Don’t apply directly to the roots of your hair unless your scalp is especially dry).
Then, leave it in the conditioner for the recommended amount of time, but no longer. A good approach is to start your shower by shampooing and conditioning your hair, washing your body, and then rinsing the conditioner out. (If you do skincare in the shower, save that step for last).
Once the conditioner has worked its magic, rinse thoroughly one more time. Again, spend a minute or two on this step to flush everything out.
6. Pat or Squeeze Your Hair Dry
When hair is wet, it’s susceptible to breakage, so it’s vital that you don’t rub your hair dry.
Instead, pat or squeeze your hair with a soft towel or other type of cloth. Patting tends to work better for shorter hair, and longer hair may need to be squeezed and then patted.
A microfiber cloth is best for this job. If the material you use is too rough, it could damage your hair.
Wash Your Hair Properly to Avoid Damage
Knowing how to wash your hair properly is essential for every man. This isn’t just about looking your best — it’s about ensuring your hair and scalp are the healthiest they can be.
Even getting one or two of these steps wrong can create lasting damage, so it’s critical to familiarize yourself with the entire hair washing process from start to finish.
Understanding what goes into your shampoo and conditioner is as important as how you scrub your scalp. The good news is that now that you know, you’ll never forget.
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