Shampooing is one of those things anyone would assume is easy to do. However, there are menial parts of our hair routine that go unnoticed such as shampooing that damage and sabotage our hair's health when done incorrectly. When it comes to shampooing your natural hair there are five mistakes to avoid when it comes to a successful wash day.
1) Using your nails to scratch the scalp
Scratching the scalp; when done intensely it can cause breaks in the skin. Skin lacerations or open cuts that can make the scalp susceptible to irritation, soreness, and infection.
Instead:
Make sure you’re using the pads of your fingers to massage your scalp instead of your nails. Using a scalp shampoo massager is also a great option when aiming to help rid the scalp of buildup.
2) Not switching up shampoo
Different shampoos meet different needs. There are moisturizing shampoos, clarifying shampoos, protein-based shampoos, etc.
Instead:
Your shampoo also needs to change depending on the season. You may want to add a shampoo with more moisture during the cooler months, and a shampoo with more clarifying properties during the summer months when the hair is prone to more sweat.
3) Shampooing quickly
Treat hair washing the same way you would treat the rest of your body. Take the time to make sure you have enough shampoo to thoroughly cleanse the scalp and hair to remove buildup.
Instead:
To quickly and effectively wash your hair take the time to lather and rinse in sections ( if needed) to ensure you’re not overlooking any specific area.
4) Using water that is too hot
The use of hot water can be subjective. Meaning, what feels hot to one person may not feel as hot to another. I recommend warm water when shampooing, and cooler temperatures of water when rinsing out a conditioner to help seal the hair’s cuticle.
Instead:
It’s been my experience that the higher the temperature of water used; the dryer the scalp and hair becomes because it draws moisture from the hair. Opting for warmer water will gently open up the hair’s, cuticle allowing you to wash away dirt easier.
5) The wrong type of shampoo for your natural hair
Choosing a shampoo for your natural hair type is very important. When done incorrectly, it can cause hair damage because of the product's inability to meet your hair's needs.
Instead:
Keep in mind that for natural hair, the curlier your hair type is the more prone to dryness it can be. Choose a sulfate-free, moisture-rich shampoo that will address your hair's needs without stripping it of moisture. All products that claim to be designed for curly hair will work well with your hair. That's why it’s important to pay attention to which ingredients work best for your hair within your shampoo.
Wash day is the foundation to any great hair regimen and just like a house shouldn’t be built on a bad foundation, neither should your hair routine. Avoiding these common natural hair shampoo mistakes will help improve your hair wash routine results and help build your ideal hair regimen.
Shampooing your natural hair is the foundation of any great hair regimen and just like a house shouldn’t be built on a bad foundation. Neither should your hair routine. Avoiding these common mistakes will help improve your Wash Day results and help you begin to build Your ideal natural hair shampoo regimen.
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