How should I be washing my hair?

We get so many messages asking all about your hair care routine, particularly when it comes to your shower routine! There are so many factors to take into consideration when caring for your hair, from hair type, thickness, lifestyle and more. Whether you are looking to add a little time between hair washes or are just curious about general hair health, we are here to help bring some clarity to your hair routine and help you find what works best for you!

How do I make the most out of my shampoo?

Now this is a question we don’t actually get asked a lot, it seems like it is a really simple process but it’s one a lot of people are not taking advantage of. Washing your hair seems easy right? Shampoo, rinse, condition, rinse? Wrong. We’re here to talk you through the best way to make the most of your hair care products and keep your hair looking and feeling fresher for longer. We highly recommend when washing your hair you opt for a sulphate and paraben free shampoo (try our Miracle Shampoo here).

When washing your hair, you want to fully wet your hair and scalp before applying any product. Pump a small amount of shampoo into your hands, lather in your hands and evenly distribute your shampoo all over your scalp by massage in. You want to focus on your scalp and leave the length of your hair as focusing shampoo on the length can dry it out and lead to damage. Your shampoo won’t produce a huge lather (particularly if you are using a sulphate free option) however this does not mean that it isn’t working. With good quality products your first shampoo is working to break down any dirt, oil or grease from the scalp. Once you have massaged in your shampoo rinse out the product allowing it to wash over the length of your hair, this allows for the rest of your hair to experience a more gentle cleanse still removing any dirt without drying it out.

Now most people hear the phrase “lather, rinse, repeat” but completely forget about that last step! The full benefits of using a professional shampoo come with your second cleanse. Double shampooing cleanses the root of the hair and scalp, helping to fully remove any remaining dirt, oil, or even build up on the scalp giving you a deeper clean. There are many benefits to taking this extra step in your hair care routine. Shampooing your hair twice leaves your hair feeling cleaner for longer and in turn you won’t need to wash your hair as often. Most people have noticed that they can go longer between washes and their hair feels cleaner, softer and healthier. If you don’t already do this, try it next time you wash your hair and see if you can notice a difference.

Is washing your hair daily bad for your hair?

Very few people actually need to wash their hair daily. I know a lot of people will be reading this and will be thinking “But my hair looks greasy if I don’t wash it everyday!”. Here is why that might be the case. Over-washing your hair to remove excess oil often leads to irritation and drying of the scalp. To compensate for the lack of natural oils, the scalp then produces more oil to try balance out and ease irritation. Once you are in the habit of washing your hair daily it can be difficult to re-train your hair and adapt to washing your hair less frequently. This will be a process so if you are interested in adding some time between hair washes, I recommend double shampooing and taking it slow.

There are always exceptions to a rule, for example people who do a lot of exercise who are sweating a lot can find their hair getting greasy more often. People with finer hair often find their hair gets greasy quicker too, where as those with thicker hair tend to feel more dry. This is the time to get to know your hair, your scalp and find a routine that works for you. Most professionals advise that you wash your hair every 2-3 days, but if your hair is really dry you can last as long as a week without needing to shampoo.

Should I be using a conditioner every time I shampoo?

In short, yes absolutely. When you are cleansing your hair with shampoo, you are removing any excess oil which can lead to the hair feeling dry and it not treated, can even lead to damage. Water can also dry out the hair and leaves it vulnerable to damage and even breakage. After cleansing your hair you need to replenish some moisture and hydration back into the hair by either using a hair mask or conditioner. I recommend using a conditioner for regular use and a hair mask for that extra boost of nourishment (see our latest post on hair masks here). This is an important step in any hair routine no matter what your hair type is.

How do I keep my hair in good condition in between washes?

This is where we strongly recommend investing in some good nourishing products to use on the length of the hair in between washes. Using a product like a leave in conditioner (try our Miracle Milk here) can keep your hair feeling soft, smooth, hydrated and more manageable. This gives your scalp a break from irritation caused by over-washing yet the lengths of your hair is kept healthy. We recommend using this daily as a styling product if your hair is particularly dry. We also advise that you take steps to reduce stress on your hair, for example limit heat usage and avoid using tight accessories straining the hair. If in doubt always ask your hairdresser for tips and advice as they will be able to take a look at your hair and make a plan for you.

I really hope this gives you an insight and helps you find a hair washing routine that works for you. I’ve loved reading all your messages and we are so glad you are loving this series of blog posts so far. If you have any questions you would like us to answer please either message us on any of our social media platforms (@mooandyoo) or send us an email at info@mooandyoo.com.