It’s that time of year – back to school season. Whether you’re headed back to school yourself, or just winding down from the summer heat, we’re going to take you to Hair School at DFS Academy.
Lesson #1: Hair Washing
You need to know the correct way to wash your hair if you want healthy locks. Yes, you read that right, there is a “right” way to wash your hair.
Washing your hair incorrectly can create buildup and residue, aggravate your hair follicles and cuticles, intensely dry out your hair or conversely weigh it down. None of this promotes healthy hair or easy styling. We can help you with this! Check out the instructions below for healthy and effective washing.
Choose the right shampoo.
You hear it at every salon visit, but it’s true! Over the counter, drug store shampoos and products in general are just not effective at cleaning your hair. They use harsh chemicals and low-grade sulfates which dry out and leave residue that weighs down your hair. Not only is it not as healthy for your hair and scalp, but it doesn’t look good. It produces lifeless, dull hair.
Rather, you need to use high quality shampoos. While you often hear “sulfate free” or “silicone free,” it doesn’t have to be as crazy to be healthy. For example, not all Shu Uemura products are sulfate or silicone free, but all are targeted and use high-grade ingredients that will not cause residue or damage, all while cleansing your hair and adding shine.
Finally, not all shampoos do the same thing. While all cleanse, good shampoos tend to be targeted for specific hair types. Here at Davis Feliz Salon we have nine different shampoo lines each with varying purposes: damaged hair uses Ultimate Reset, coarse hair uses Shusu Sleek, fine hair uses Muroto Volume, etc. Make sure you choose the shampoo that best fits your needs.
Lather Rinse Repeat.
Your actual hair is cleaner than you give it credit for! Most of the buildup and oils that cause dirty hair come from your scalp. Therefore, it’s important that you focus on your scalp when washing your hair. In addition, soap works best when it is emulsified before touching whatever it is cleaning. That means, put a small amount in your hands, rub your hands together to lather it up, and add it to your scalp.
Make sure you add it to all areas of your crown, base of your head, behind your ears, temples, etc. Then, begin to scrub using only the pads of your fingers. Do not use your nails as that introduces harmful bacteria into your follicles. If you notice that you’re not getting a lot of lather (aka foam), try adding some water before adding more shampoo. Dirty hair does require more soap, however better shampoos tend to need water to really get a good lather. Let’s not waste anything!
Don’t worry about washing the strands of your hair. As you scrub your scalp the lathered shampoo will come down your hair and believe it or not, it’s enough to cleanse your strands. Scrubbing or creating friction on your hair lifts your cuticles and causes frizz or even mild damage.
Give your hair a good rinse then repeat the shampooing process. This time you will definitely be able to use less product since the buildup is removed. This wash focuses on a deeper cleansing and providing nutrients to your hair.
Treat the right places.
Something that is often overlooked but incredibly important is the conditioning process. When you wash your hair, no matter how gentle the shampoo, there will be some natural oils removed from your hair. Hydration is essential for healthy hair! So, make sure you are using a conditioner.
Again, like the shampoo this can and should be targeted for your needs and can vary from a simple cream conditioner to a heavier mask. Even healthy/hydrated hair benefits from conditioning. For someone like me with fine but highlighted hair, I use the Muroto Volume mask since it adds necessary hydration but doesn’t weigh my hair down at all. Davis however uses Urban Moisture conditioner since his hair tends to be dry but it’s not chemically treated and doesn’t need the intense mask.
When applying, make sure you are adding the product in the middle of your hair shaft and working down towards the ends. There is rarely a head that needs conditioning or treatments towards the roots since that weighs it down and can even restrict your natural oil production.
If your hair is dry or chemically treated, we recommend leaving the conditioner or mask on for a few minutes before rinsing it out in order to get the full nutrient and hydrating benefits. If your hair tends to be oily or heavy, you can work it in for a minute or so then rinse it out without letting it sit.
Cool it down
If you’re an athlete, had an injury, or traveled to icy locations you may have experienced the wonder of an ice bath. While it doesn’t sound like my cup of tea, I can tell you that there are numerous benefits of icy cold water on our bodies. That includes your hair!
A cool rinse after washing and treating close your cuticles, seal IN the nutrients, and keep OUT the bad stuff. In addition, closing the cuticles adds much desired shine! Here’s the thing, it’s fun to talk about ice baths but the reality for your hair is that it doesn’t have to be intensely cold, just cool, to have the effect you want.
There it is – your first haircare lesson! If you’d like to schedule an appointment or receive a consultation on hair care products, give us a call at 203-861-6700 or book online.
See you soon!