How To Wash Your Hair With Shampoo – 6 Simple Methods

The ultimate cheat sheet to washing your hair like a pro and improving its health.

Reviewed by Monica Dickenson, Certified Trichologist
Written by Anjali Sayee, BTech
Edited by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach
Fact-checked by Krati Darak, MBA, Certified Skin Care Coach  • 

Shampooing has a wide range of benefits for your hair, provided it is done the right way. Clean hair makes your grooming easy and improves your personality. So, how to wash your hair with shampoo? From detangling your hair to blow-drying, hair wash with shampoo involves a few easy steps you must pay attention to. In this article, we will guide you through these steps and list the dos and don’ts you need to keep in mind. Keep scrolling.

protip_icon Fun Fact
Hust, rice, and straw were used to make shampoo in earlier times in Indonesia.

How To Wash Your Hair With A Shampoo

1. Detangle Your Hair With A Wide-Toothed Comb

Woman detangling her hair
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It is important you detangle your hair before shampooing. A wide-toothed comb detangles your hair easily. It also does not pull on the hair and hence prevents hair breakage.

2. Shampoo Your Hair

Wet your hair with lukewarm water. It helps the shampoo lather well and cuts through the dirt and grease easily. Take some shampoo into your fingers and cleanse your hair and scalp thoroughly. Ensure you massage your scalp while shampooing, as this boosts s blood circulation and promotes hair health.

3. Rinse With Cold Water

Woman rinsing hair with cold water
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Rinse your scalp and hair with cold water. Lukewarm water would have opened up your hair cuticlesi  XThe outermost layer of the hair shaft, composed of dead cells, protects the inner layers of the hair shaft from damage. , and cold water helps seal them. Unsealed hair cuticles would lead to moisture loss.

4. Condition Your Hair

Use a conditioner on your hair. However, avoid applying conditioner to your scalp and focus on the tips of your hair. Apply the conditioner gently and let it stay for five minutes. It will strengthen your hair cuticles and keep your hair from looking limpi  XHair that is dull, lifeless, and flat that can be caused by improper hair care, excessive sebum production, or frequent heat styling. .

5. Wash And Towel-Dry

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Wash your hair and use a towel to blot and dry it. Be gentle, as using a towel roughly can cause hair breakage.

6. Air-Dry Your Hair

Air-drying your hair is preferable to blow-drying it. Blow-drying causes excess heat and can make your hair rough, dry, and prone to breakage. Let your hair dry naturally. If you must blow dry your hair, use the medium setting.

Doro Cubillo, a YouTube vlogger, has tried and shared a hair wash routine in her video, explaining each step. She says “Never ever do the mistake of rubbing or twisting your hair with a towel when it’s in the process of getting dry. No! Stop doing that. Because this could cause more breakage, more frizz, so many bad things. After this, follow up with your regular hair care (i)”.

Shampooing the right way is just one part of the equation. Also, keep in mind the following aspects of hair washing.

Hair Wash Dos and Don’ts

Woman shampooing her hair
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1. Avoid Washing Your Hair Daily

Washing your hair daily could strip the natural oils of the scalp. It may also dry your hair out. Washing your hair twice to thrice a week is ideal.

2. Use Lukewarm Water

Exposing your hair to hot water can dry it out and make it dull. You may start with lukewarm water to ensure the cuticles open and get cleaned properly.

3. Never Forget A Cold Rinse

The cuticles that open up with lukewarm water must be sealed again. Cold water helps achieve this. Sealing the cuticles helps retain the natural hair moisture that is beneficial for the hair.

4. Use Filtered Water

Woman using filtered water to rinse hair
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Regular tap water contains chlorine and other chemicals that may harm your hair. Hence, investing in a shower filter can be ideal, as it allows you to use water free of chemicals and other contaminants. Using filtered water could be good for your skin as well.

5. Choose The Right Hair Product

Identify and use the products that suit your hair type. For instance, those with an oily scalp must not go for a product meant for a dry scalp (and vice versa).

Avoid hair products with synthetic agents or other chemicals.

protip_icon Trivia
Some native American tribes used North American plants as shampoo. For instance, the Costanoans used coastal woodfern extracts.

Infographic: Dos And Don’ts Of Hair Washing

Are you washing your hair the right way? You might be surprised to hear that there is a “right” way of washing your hair. Following this practice can improve your hair texture and health. Having said that, keeping a few pointers in mind while washing your locks can help you wash and manage them better. Check out this infographic for the dos and don’ts of hair washing.

dos and don'ts of hair washing (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

We all wash our hair, but are we doing it right? Hair wash with shampoo involves a few steps you need to keep in mind. Following the steps mentioned above can help you improve your hair texture, maintain its moisture content, boost hair growth, and reduce hair fall. However, you need to be aware of certain do’s and don’ts to take care of your hair. Washing your hair twice or thrice a week, using lukewarm water to wash, cold rinse your hair at last, and choosing the right products will definitely improve your hair hygiene and boost hair health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it good to wash your hair with shampoo?

Yes, it is good to wash your hair with shampoo. Shampoo thoroughly helps in cleansing the scalp and clears dirt, product buildup, excess sebum, and other impurities.

Is hair wash the same as shampoo?

A hair wash is a cleanser or a mild shampoo. The main difference between cleansers (mild shampoos) and regular shampoos is their ingredients list. Hair cleansers do not contain sulfates or harsh detergents and harmful chemicals. They are milder and gentler and cleanse your hair without stripping the natural oils. Shampoos contain strong surfactantsi  XChemical substances used in cleaning products for their ability to reduce surface tension and enable the removal of grease and oil. to cleanse the scalp, which may strip off natural oils.

Can I wash my hair daily with water alone?

Washing your hair with only water may refresh your tresses but won’t clean your scalp thoroughly.

Can over-shampooing cause hair loss?

Shampooing your hair too much can make your tresses dry, brittle, rough, and easily breakable. This could lead to hair fall.

Can I wash my hair daily without shampoo?

It is advisable to use shampoo at least once a week to cleanse your scalp properly. But you can use co-washes and natural cleansers to keep your scalp and hair fresh throughout the week.

Is it better to wash your hair with shampoo or conditioner?

It is best to use both for optimal hair care. Shampoo removes dirt, oil, and product residue while the conditioner replenishes moisture in your hair.

How long should I leave the shampoo in my hair?

Depending on the thickness of your hair and the type of shampoo you are using, you can leave it for 2 to 5 minutes.

How much shampoo should I use?

While most people require only two to three teaspoons of shampoo, factors such as the length and thickness of your hair will determine the amount of shampoo you will need.

Key Takeaways

    • Always detangle your hair before washing it.
    • Massaging your scalp while shampooing will boost blood circulation in the scalp and promote hair health.
    • Use lukewarm water to open the hair cuticles, and rinse with cold water to seal them again.
    • Avoiding products with synthetic agents or harsh chemicals will improve your hair’s health.

You may think you how to shampoo your hair, but more to it than meets the eye. Learn how to shampoo step-by-step! Check this video to learn the proper techniques for a perfect wash.

Personal Experience: Source

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