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Think You Know How to Shampoo? Think Again!

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How do you wash your hair? First, apply shampoo and then follow it up with a conditioner, right? This is the basic routine most of us follow. But what if we told you that there’s an elaborate and more effective hair washing technique, waiting to be explored? A method that will nourish and improve the quality of your mane. Honestly, not just a wrong shampoo, but even an incorrect routine can get stressful for your delicate strands and cause damage.

Here are some excellent tips that will help you achieve maximum cleaning with minimum hair damage.

Steps to shampoo and condition your hair

Detangle before shampooing
Most of us skip this step because we trust our shampoos and conditioners to even out the tangles. But it’s advisable to detangle your hair before taking a shower. Why? Your hair is at its weakest when it’s wet, and combing damp tresses will make it more vulnerable to breakage. Also, go gentle on your hair and use a wide-tooth comb to remove the knots.

Wet your hair before shampooing
Want to learn how to wash hair properly? Step one - wet your hair before you begin shampooing. Working on a dry palette will make it tougher to rinse the shampoo completely off your hair. Warm water, on the other hand, loosens excess oil and helps open your pores, allowing the product to work better. So, fully dampen your hair before shampooing so that your cuticles are open and ready for a good wash.

Shampoo gently
Instead of directly applying a dollop of shampoo to your hair, make a lather using water and gently massage it into your tresses. First, apply the shampoo to your roots, where most of the impurities and oil tend to accumulate. Then work the shampoo from your scalp to the ends, moving in the same direction as water, and rinse it off. And if you don’t want a knotted nest on your head, avoid rubbing the shampoo into your scalp or pile up your locks on top. While shampooing, if the product doesn’t create enough foam, it’s a sign that your hair isn’t fully clean. So, you can repeat the process after the first wash, before applying a conditioner. Also, don’t use your nails to massage the shampoo as this can cause injuries to your scalp. So, how much shampoo should you use? This depends primarily on the length and texture of your hair. If you have short hair, a dollop of shampoo should be enough. But for longer hair, you might need two to three pumps or more.

Condition it right
Every time you apply shampoo, follow it up with a conditioner. And remember this cardinal rule - leave the scalp alone. Let’s break it up like this – shampoo is for the scalp and the conditioner is for your hair. Once you rinse out the shampoo, apply the conditioner to the ends, and then, using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers, work it up the length of your hair. Let it stay for a while as you continue with your usual shower routine and then rinse it.

Lukewarm water for the perfect wash
A hot water shower after a long day may be relaxing for your body, but it damages your hair. Hot water does not seal your hair cuticles completely after conditioning, making your tresses more vulnerable to damage. Instead, use lukewarm or cold water to rinse the conditioner, as it not only closes the cuticle but also locks in fresh moisture.

Don’t rub! Blot instead
Though it’s natural to dry your hair using a towel, it also causes damage. Your tresses are quite fragile when they are wet, and the friction caused by rubbing a towel can cause them to break. So, either use a microfiber towel or take out an old cotton t-shirt from your wardrobe and wrap it around your wet hair, to remove excess water.

Post-shower hair care routine

Want to know how to stop frizzy hair after washing? Create a post-shower hair care routine that includes the following steps:

A serum or leave-in conditioner
Once you are done removing excess water using a t-shirt or microfiber towel, apply a leave-in conditioner or serum to your damp hair and let it air dry. This will make it easier to detangle your hair and prevent breakage!

Comb it gently
After applying serum or a leave-in conditioner, use a wide-tooth comb and start combing your hair gently from the ends, working your way up to the top to remove knots.

Comb it gently
Before styling your hair, apply a heat protectant spray to protect it from the direct impact of the heat, and prevent any moisture loss caused by heat-styling tools.

Wondering how to stop your hair from getting greasy after one day? Dry shampoo is your answer.

Now that you know how to use shampoo and conditioner, it’s time to pick the right products and we’ll tell you how to select a shampoo to get healthy hair. Try Pantene’s wide range of shampoos and conditioners that are designed to address your unique haircare woes.

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