How To Wash Your Hair Properly?

Washing your hair may seem like a mundane task because you've been doing it all your life. But did you know that using the right techniques can make a world of difference to your hair's appearance?

Ayurveda provides some essential guidelines that you can follow while washing your hair to maintain its health and luster. Keep reading to learn more.

Highlights:

• What To Do Before Washing Your Hair?
• What To Use To Wash Your Hair?
• How To Wash Hair Properly - A Step By Step Guide
• Ayurvedic Way To Wash Your Hair
• Post Hair Wash Tips
• Benefits Of Washing Your Hair
• What Happens When You Don't Wash Your Hair?
• Can You Apply Oil After Washing Hair?
• Daily Hair Wash: Good Or Bad?

What To Do Before Washing Your Hair?

1. Oil Massage

Massage your scalp with some warm Ayurvedic oil at least one hour before washing your hair. Massaging nourishes your hair and scalp deeply and prevents dryness. It also helps boost blood circulation in the scalp.

2. Detangle Your Hair

It is easier to remove knots from dry hair than wet hair. Wet hair is fragile and can break more easily. So, detangle your hair before shampooing. Brushing stimulates blood circulation in the scalp and reduces hair fall.

3. Dilute The Shampoo

Dilute your shampoo before applying it to your hair. Diluting makes it easier to apply and wash off. It can also help reduce the high concentration of chemicals in your shampoo.

4. Apply Hair Mask

Besides hair oil, you can treat your hair with a natural hair mask. Leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes and rinse it off with a mild or natural shampoo. Masks help rejuvenate the hair follicles and strengthen the roots.

What To Use To Wash Your Hair?

1. Shampoo

An Ayurvedic shampoo can promote hair growth and strengthen the roots without damaging your hair. According to Ayurveda, every individual's body is regulated by three doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas play a vital role in determining your hair type and health.

• An individual who has Vata dominant Prakriti tends to have thin and dry hair.
• Pitta dosha hair types are more likely to have straight and soft hair with a medium thickness.
• Those with Kapha dominant Prakriti have curly hair with thick volume.

You need to know your dosha level to find the most efficient shampoo for your hair type.

2. Herbs

Ayurveda suggests including herbs to your hair care routine. Herbs have been considered as natural hair cleansers for ages [1].

You can prepare an effective herbal hair wash powder using Ayurvedic herbs like Reetha (Soap Nut), Shikakai (Soap pod), Nimba (Nee), Methi (Fenugreek), Amalaki (Indian Gooseberry), Japa (Hibiscus), and Kumari (Aloe Vera).

How To Wash Hair Properly - A Step By Step Guide

Washing your hair the right way can leave it looking fresh, shiny, and healthy. We bring you a step by step guide that you can follow while washing your hair to maintain its health and lustre.

What Will You Need

• Shampoo
• Conditioner

The entire process might take up to 10-15 minutes.

Step 1: Wet Your Hair Thoroughly

Always make sure to wet your hair thoroughly with water before shampooing. Use lukewarm water to wash your hair. Warm water helps eliminate dirt and extra oil from the scalp and hair by opening the cuticles and scalp pores.

Step 2: Shampoo Your Hair

Choose an Ayurvedic shampoo according to your dosha to clean your hair. Gently massage your scalp in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes and distribute the shampoo through your hair. Rinse it with warm water.

Note:

Do not use harsh movements while massaging your scalp as it may lead to pain and irritation. Instead, apply gentle pressure on your scalp while you massage it.

Step 3: Apply Conditioner

Conditioner helps nourish and moisturize your hair. However, make sure you don't apply it to your scalp as it will make the roots greasier. While using conditioner, concentrate primarily on the ends and gently detangle the strands using your fingers. Leave it on for 3-5 minutes before rinsing off.

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly

Give your hair a thorough rinse for about 1-2 minutes to ensure no product residue is left behind. Once you rinse it, use a towel to dry your hair. You can also use an old T-shirt to dry your hair.

Ayurvedic Way To Wash Your Hair

Ayurveda suggests an alternative approach to hair care using natural ingredients and herbs to revitalize the scalp while addressing several hair concerns.

According to Ayurveda, you should apply a natural hair mask before shampooing to provide intensive conditioning to the hair. The mask can ideally include nourishing ingredients such as aloe vera, eggs, yogurt, heena, and hibiscus.

For best results, leave the hair mask on for 20-30 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. Follow it up with a gentle Ayurvedic shampoo.

You can determine your dosha to find the right Ayurvedic shampoo for your hair.

Post Hair Wash Tips

1. Remove Excess Water

After washing your hair, gently squeeze out the excess water by wrapping your hair in a soft towel or cotton cloth.

2. Apply Serum

Apply a serum or leave-in conditioner after towel-drying to maintain your hair's moisture and natural shine.

3. Detangle Hair

Gently detangle your hair using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to prevent hair fall.

Benefits Of Washing Your Hair

1. Promotes Hair Growth

When you wash your hair, you eliminate accumulated dirt and unwanted excess oil from your scalp. Regular washing can unclog hair follicles and promote hair growth. Ayurveda suggests washing your hair 2-3 times a week.

2. Helps Maintain Hygiene

Due to the constant secretion of sebum on the scalp, the hair can appear dirty and greasy without washing. The accumulation of sebum leads to dandruff and hair loss. Washing your hair keeps the scalp clean and helps eliminate odor.

What Happens When You Don't Wash Your Hair?

After a week or two, the unwashed scalp might get itchy and greasy. The hair would start smelling and shedding. You might face the problem of dandruff because the dirt remains on the scalp for a longer time. So, it’s essential to clean the scalp and hair with natural herbs. Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix, says, natural herbs protect the hair from chemical damage and make it stronger by deep nourishing.

Can You Apply Oil After Washing Hair?

“Ayurveda never recommends oiling after bathing because it believes that hair should produce natural oils post-wash,” says Dr. Zeel.

Moreover, when you step out after applying oil, all the dirt and pollution will stick to your hair and scalp. This clogs the hair follicles and causes itchiness in the scalp.

Daily Hair Wash: Good Or Bad?

Most people don’t need to wash their hair daily. Ayurveda recommends washing your hair 2-3 times a week. However, it also largely depends on your hair type and dosha.

People with Kapha predominant hair need to wash hair more frequently as they are prone to excessive sebum production. Those with Pitta dosha can wash their hair 3-4 times a week. Vata-type hair can be washed less often as it is primarily dry.

The Last Word

Washing your hair the right way can leave it looking fresh, shiny, and healthy. Incorporating herbal ingredients derived from nature into your hair care routine will protect your hair from harmful chemicals and naturally promote growth.

At Vedix, we help you understand your hair type and provide a customized Ayurvedic hair care regimen based on your doshas.