The Wash Day Series Part 3: Are You Washing Your Hair Correctly?
Most people think washing their hair is simple. Get in the shower, apply shampoo, rinse, condition, and move on.
But after years behind the chair, I can tell you that many people are unknowingly sabotaging their hair before they even begin styling. Insert help here…
The truth is, healthy hair doesn’t just depend on how often you wash it—it depends on how well you wash it!
Start With Your Scalp
Healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp. Most times we rarely even look at our scalp.
Your scalp is living skin, and just like the skin on your face, it accumulates oil, product residue, sweat, dead skin cells, and environmental debris.
When the scalp isn’t cleansed properly, buildup can accumulate and interfere with the healthy environment your hair needs to thrive.
Instead of focusing only on your hair strands, focus first on cleansing your scalp thoroughly. If you are prone to major scalp buildup or you have seborrheic dermatitis, mild eczema or any other skin/scalp condition. What I tend to do in-salon and can be a great starting point at home, is to pre-cleanse the scalp. For those who have a prescription shampoo like Nizoral, you can use that shampoo for this process. For those who don’t, I love the Design Essentials Peppermint and Aloe Shampoo. It calms, nourishes, and soothes the scalp while delivering a refreshing cooling sensation. It also helps soften buildup and debris, making removal easier and promoting a healthier scalp environment.
I recommend saturating your scalp thoroughly and massaging the shampoo in well. Let it sit for about 10–15 minutes before you hop in the shower— trust me, if you can spare the time, it’s sooo worth it!
Afterward, begin massaging the scalp with your fingertips, applying a little pressure as you go. This helps loosen buildup, stimulate circulation, and encourage a healthier scalp. For those who can tolerate it, a little gentle pressure with the fingernails can help break up stubborn debris and flakes even further. Once your scalp prep is complete, thoroughly wet your hair and scalp, apply your shampoo, and get to work. The beauty of proper scalp preparation is that you’ve already done half the work before the shampoo even touches your hair!
*Choose any scalp-soothing shampoo or pre-cleanse that works well for you. This particular one happens to be one of my personal favorites!
Shampoo Twice…..please.
One of the most common mistakes I see is people shampooing only once! Now, there is a caveat to this: if your hair and scalp are already relatively clean, free from heavy product buildup, excess oils, or debris, a single shampoo may be all you need. Perhaps you’ve washed your hair recently, or your hair simply doesn’t require a deeper cleanse. In that case, one thorough shampoo should do the job beautifully.
For everyone else, the first shampoo is all about breaking down oils, dirt, and product buildup. It’s the cleansing stage that loosens everything that’s been sitting on the scalp and hair, making the second shampoo much more effective.
If your shampoo barely lathers the first time, that’s often a sign that it’s working through buildup. The second cleanse usually produces a richer lather and leaves the scalp feeling truly clean. Sometimes, a third shampoo is required. Don’t feel bad—no judgment whatsoever! We’ve all been there. If your hair has a little extra buildup, oil, or product hanging around, a third cleanse may be exactly what it needs. It happens sometimes... lol!
On regular wash days, two rounds of cleansing with the same moisturizing shampoo are usually sufficient. On those heavier buildup days, though, I like to switch things up. I’ll use a clarifying shampoo for the first wash to break down oils, dirt, and product residue, then follow up with a moisturizing shampoo for the second wash to leave the hair clean, balanced, and hydrated.
*TRESseme’s Clarifying Shampoo is a great otc option (over the counter). There are a few clutch products in this line.
*Redken is an amazing line across the board. This shampoo makes everything sooooft! Chef’s Kiss on the moisture!
Anyone who knows me, knows I love me some Dominican Products!!!! YAYYYY!!! But this Bambu line from Silicion Mix is second to none in what it does for your hair….starting with moisture the shampoo! And it is otc!!!!! More to come on this.
Focus on the Scalp, Not the Ends.
Many people pile shampoo onto the lengths of their hair. In reality, shampoo is designed primarily to cleanse the scalp. As you rinse, the shampoo naturally flows through the hair strands and removes surface dirt and oil. Make sure that the lather gets to the tips of your hair but concentrate your pour/or pump on the scalp. This is especially important for curly, coily, textured, and color-treated hair that can become dry when over-cleansed.
Water Temperature Matters!
Extremely hot water may feel relaxing, but it can leave both your scalp and hair feeling dry. It can also cause your color treated hair to run (and lose its vibrance) unnecessarily. Ugh!! Aim for comfortably warm water when cleansing. Your hair and scalp will thank you!
Don’t Rush the Process
Wash day should not be a race.
Take the time to thoroughly saturate the hair before shampooing and ensure all product is fully rinsed away before moving on to conditioning. Many hair concerns aren’t caused by products at all—they’re caused by product residue left behind. If your hair still feels heavy, coated, greasy, or waxy after shampooing, chances are there is still product buildup, excess oil, or residue present. Clean hair should feel refreshed, lightweight, moisturized but free-moving—not slick or weighed down.
The Bottom Line
A proper wash day begins long before styling products are applied. Healthy hair starts with a clean scalp, thoughtful cleansing, and a routine that supports your hair’s unique needs.
Before spending money on another miracle product, ask yourself:
Am I washing my hair correctly? Sometimes the simplest habits create the biggest transformations.
Next week in The Wash Day Series , we’ll discuss one of the most misunderstood steps in healthy hair care: conditioning! What it does, why it matters, and how to choose the right conditioner for your hair. We looooove a good conditioner!
