The short answer
Wash your scalp, not your ends. Use a small amount of shampoo, massage the scalp with your fingertips for 30 to 60 seconds, rinse well with warm water, then condition the mid-lengths and ends only.
How to wash your hair, step by step
- Comb through dry hair first to remove loose hairs and tangles.
- Wet your hair thoroughly with warm, not hot, water.
- Emulsify a small amount of shampoo between your palms before it touches your scalp.
- Massage your scalp with the pads of your fingers, not your nails, in small circles from hairline to nape, for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Let the lather run through the lengths. There’s no need to scrub the ends.
- Rinse well, then condition the mid-lengths and ends.
- Blot, don’t rub, with a microfibre towel or T-shirt. If you blow-dry, use low to medium heat and dry the roots first.
Focus on the scalp
Shampoo is for your scalp: that’s where oil, sweat and dead skin build up. Your ends are the oldest, most fragile part of your hair and only need the lather that runs through them. Scrubbing the lengths causes tangles and breakage, especially in fine, coloured or breaking hair.
Washing after exercise
A water-only rinse after the gym feels fresh but doesn’t remove the oil and salt that sweat leaves behind. On sweaty days, wash with a gentle shampoo as soon as you can. If you’d rather not shampoo daily, alternate a full wash with a quick scalp cleanse using a little diluted shampoo, or a co-wash if your hair is dry. Tie long hair in a soft bun or braid while you train, without tight elastics.
Is a cold rinse worth it?
There’s no good evidence that a cold rinse closes the cuticle or adds shine, so skip it if you prefer. Very hot water, though, can dry and irritate the scalp.
Related advice
If something isn’t right with your hair or scalp, I’ll take your history, examine your hair and scalp closely and give you a written plan. What happens at a consultation.
Questions
How do you wash your scalp?
Emulsify a little shampoo in your hands and massage your scalp with your fingertips, not your nails, for 30 to 60 seconds, then rinse well.
Should you shampoo twice?
Only if your scalp is very oily or you use a lot of product. For most people, one thorough wash is enough.
Is it enough to rinse with water after the gym?
Not usually. Water alone doesn’t remove the oil and salt that sweat leaves on the scalp. Use a gentle shampoo when you can.