For starters, the cleansing detergent in shampoo causes hair to dry out, leading to brittle hair and inevitable damage. Even shampoos that promise to repair dry hair will have this agent if they claim to cleanse hair as well. These shampoos often contain an agent that leaves a film on the hair to produce a false shine. Now you are left with damaged hair and it builds up. Also, the scrubbing action involved in the “foaming” process creates new split ends and worsens old ones. To avoid these problems, learn how to wash your hair as recommended by the stylists of the stars.
This process takes a bit longer, but the results are worth every second. Before you get into the shower, make sure your hair is free of tangles. After your hair is wet, apply a small amount of shampoo and gently rub it into your scalp, and your scalp only. If you are concerned that this may not be enough for cleansing, you can leave the shampoo in your hair without rubbing for another minute or two. Then simply rinse the shampoo out. As it glides through the rest of your hair, it will continue to cleanse, removing the products you’ve applied and the natural oils that occur on your scalp. Unless you’re washing your hair after a day of playing in mud puddles, the “repeat” instruction is completely unnecessary. The result is clean, easier-to-manage hair.
Some simpler tips can improve this process. When applying conditioner, use it only on hair that extends to the nape of the neck, not on hair near the scalp. The scalp produces natural oils that make conditioner unnecessary. Leave it on for a few more minutes and rinse with cold water to close the cuticles, leaving hair softer and less susceptible to further damage from styling. Finally, when it comes to drying your hair, never, and I repeat, never, rub it with your towel! Rubbing a rough yet gentle towel against your hair fiber further damages your hair and makes split ends worse because hair is weaker when wet. Instead, towel dry your hair and lightly comb it through with your fingers. When it’s dry, feel free to brush it out.
If you insist on using a blow dryer on your hair, there are a few rules to avoid heat damage. If you have time, wait several minutes to allow your hair to dry naturally. Drier hair is stronger and you won’t have to expose it to heat for as long. Also, swipe a serum or pomade into each section of your hair to create a barrier between the cuticles and the heat.
Let’s not blame the hair product manufacturers for not informing us of these vital instructions. Bottles are generally small, leaving room for only three (misleading) words. And, of course, they do offer serums, masks and lotions so that we can repair the damage they have caused us.