How To Wash Your Hair Properly: The 6 Most Common Mistakes

The logistics associated with washing your hair can often present a challenge. Should I wash my hair today or will it hang on for a little longer? Can my dry shampoo handle this, or is it better to just jump in the shower? Together with hairdresser Nela Matýsková, we’ll give you advice on how to wash your hair properly, helping it stay soft and healthy for as long as possible.

How do you wash your hair properly?

Hair doesn’t typically get dirty, so we should focus on using shampoo to remove impurities from our scalp. How? “You should first make sure that your hair is damp, using water that isn’t too hot or too cold, because extreme temperatures don’t do a good job of removing impurities. Lather up shampoo in the palms of your hands and distribute it evenly over your scalp. You’ll activate it by adding water. Dampening and washing opens up the hair cuticle, so it’s important to reseal it again by using a conditioner or mask. Avoid scrubbing the skin and use circular motions to massage it with your fingertips instead,” recommends our hairdresser Nela Matýsková. 

What mistakes do we most commonly make when washing our hair?

1. We’re using the wrong products.
2. We only wash our hair once.
3. We don’t use a conditioner or mask.
4. We don’t rinse products off well enough.
5. We are too harsh on our scalp.
6. We don’t stick to the Curly Girl Method if we have curly or wavy hair.

And how many washes do you do?

Just one and you’re done? That’s not the way to go. It’s important to do two washes. “The first wash removes impurities. Sometimes we might not even get a lather. The second wash requires a smaller amount of shampoo, making it easier to lather up. Gradually add water, not shampoo,” the hairdresser adds. When washing your hair, pay attention to every single area of your scalp. “Lather has to reach every spot, otherwise your hair will continue to look limp and greasy,” says the hairdresser. 

After washing your scalp, gently pull the lather in the direction of hair growth, all the way to the ends. And an important, yet often neglected, step is being thorough when rinsing the product out of your hair. “If you don’t, you may experience dandruff and other unpleasant surprises,” explains the hairdresser. Regeneration is next in line. 

How often should you wash your hair?

On the basis of our hairdresser’s tips, you should ideally wash your hair twice a week, but it all depends on your hair type. “Washing your hair twice a week is ideal, but it’s not a hard-and-fast rule. Those with dry scalps may only need to wash their hair once a week, while others wash it every day,” explains Nela Matýsková.

As a general rule, fine hair usually needs to be washed every other day, normal hair twice a week and strong and coarse hair once a week. You should also consider factors such as your lifestyle, how frequently you exercise, the use of styling products, and, most importantly, your scalp type. 

Some people are sparing with the amount of shampoo they use, while others like to throw a full-on foam party. So how much shampoo is just the right amount? If you’re tired of hearing the usual answer of “an appropriate amount,” you can be sure that approximately the size of a hazelnut will do. “The brand and type of shampoo also matter, of course,” explains Nela Matýsková. 

How do you pick a shampoo?

No universal answer for everyone exists. Choose a product according to your hair type and what your hair needs. You can even ask your hairdresser for advice. Try a sulphate-free shampoo from the wide range on offer. What’s the purpose of having sulphates in shampoos anyway? “They help remove impurities and sebum. They are responsible for creating a rich lather during washing, giving you the impression of perfectly clean hair. But lather isn’t everything, and sulphate-free shampoos will get rid of impurities just as well,” explains the hairdresser. Sulphates in shampoo formulas can cause skin irritation and dehydration and weaken the hair follicles. 

Reverse hair washing, yes or no?

You may have already tried the reverse hair washing trend. We were curious to find out what hair type a hairdresser would recommend it for. “The reverse hair washing method completely reverses the way you’d normally wash your hair – you first go in with conditioner and then shampoo. I recommend this method for fine and weak hair to make it appear less limp,” explains Nela Matýsková. 

No reverse method is needed if you bet on the right product – that’s the real winning strategy. In fact, choosing the wrong products would disrupt the logical hair washing process, where shampoo opens up the hair cuticle and the subsequent treatment reseals it. Your hair could then become static or frizzy.

Washing your hair isn’t rocket science if you know your stuff. All you have to do now is pick the right products and get started.