Hair Tips: 8 Shampoo mistakes you didn’t know you were making

You may be applying one hair vitamin after another – one for shine and another for strength – but you don’t really see much of a difference. Don’t blame the products because the answer might just be in the way you wash your hair. Look at our list of eight shampoo sins you didn’t know you were making, until now that is.

1. Applying shampoo on the same spot

Notice how for years, you always start washing your hair at the same spot, most likely the crown of your head? This could be the cause for dry or oily scalp. Try shampooing the sides of your head first and then moving up or downwards from there.

2. Using your nails to wash your hair

Ladies with freshly manicured nails, take heed! Washing/ scratching your scalp with your finger nails isn’t a deep wash.  You are in fact applying too much friction to the area. Instead, gently massage your scalp with your fingertips.

3. Sticking to the same product

While some might argue against changing products, experts believe switching shampoos every other month is recommended. You can either switch brands, or have your moisturising product switched for a volumising one. This way you can avoid having a build-up of unwanted ingredients in your hair.

4. Conditioning your entire head… for 5 seconds

Condition only the shaft; there is no need to condition the roots. And that instruction at the back of the conditioner bottle that says “Leave for 3 minutes”? Yes, they meant it. Let your hair soak up all the moisturising benefits while you grab that loofah and start washing!

5. Pouring a palm-sized amount of shampoo… on your head

This tip will not only save your hair, but it will save you some dollars. Although it depends on your hair, the recommended amount of shampoo is a dollar-size dollop. And the right way to do this is to put it on your hand to lather first, instead of directly rubbing shampoo on your hair. This also lubricates your hands and reduces any hair damage.

6. Not wetting your hair completely

If you are worried about your shampoo not foaming enough, especially after tip #5, you are likely not wetting your hair enough. Your locks need to be soaking wet before applying shampoo and at the same time it’ll prevent you from applying too much pressure to create more foam.

7. Washing with hot water

Here comes the killer question – should you wash your hair in cold or hot water? A hot shower is one of the best remedies after an exhausting day and we’re all guilty of staying in there for too long. However, sadly hot water destroys the texture of your hair. Instead, try rinsing your hair with lukewarm or – even better – cold water.

8. Scrubbing with a towel and combing with your fingers

You must have read or heard somewhere that your hair is most vulnerable when wet and it’s true. You don’t want to scrub your hair with your towel so replace that habit with patting instead. Don’t get tempted to brush your hair right away. Wait a little bit longer before you untangle your hair with a wide-toothed, preferably wooden, comb.

So next time you wash your hair, make sure to follow this list of dos and dont’s for healthy, luminous tresses!

Natasha Gan