You probably think you have your hair-washing routine down to perfection — after all, it’s something you probably do multiple times a week and have been doing for your entire life.
But experts say many people get this self-care step wrong. Hair and scalp expert Dorian Whyte reveals the best way to wash your hair, and it’s not as simple as shampoo, rinse, condition, rinse.
Dorian (@dorian_marie_hair on TikTok) has some great tips for washing your hair if you want to have lush hair. She made a TikTok video in response to someone who revealed that when she washes her hair, she first rinses it out with shampoo, then rinses it out with conditioner, adding: “I think this is why my hair is so damaged.”
“If you’re using shampoo and conditioner like this, listen up because we need to ask you a few questions first,” the expert said. In the video, she told viewers, “You’re probably using shampoo and conditioner wrong.”
Experts instructed women to emulsify their shampoo before applying it.
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To keep her hair looking great, Dolly encouraged viewers to emulsify their shampoo for 10 to 15 seconds before using it, and for women, she recommends pouring some shampoo into one hand and rubbing the palms together to emulsify it.
She said: “If you’re using a high-quality shampoo, it may also change viscosity and colour.”
“Once emulsification is complete, the product is ready to go. In fact, a ton of the water that’s already on your hands is being used to help with emulsification. You don’t need to add extra water or anything, but it’s literally formulated to be used that way.”
Dori also spoke about the importance of shampoo placement, emphasizing that shampoo is a “scalp care product, not a hair care product,” meaning it should be applied to the scalp and not the hair.
The hair expert said: “Divide your hair into sections so you can apply the shampoo all over. Once you’ve done so, massage it in.”
Dolly said women should leave the shampoo in their hair for two to three minutes to “allow the surfactants to take effect”, before rinsing it out with water.
Surfactants serve several functions in shampoos, including breaking down bonds that help wash away dirt, oil, and other impurities, and lowering surface tension so the shampoo can be distributed more easily across the scalp.
Dolly added: “Then I do this again, I put it in my hands, emulsify it, and massage it into my hair. Then I leave it on for a couple of minutes and rinse it out again.”
Next, ladies may want to apply a hair mask every now and then, if not, skip ahead to the conditioning step.
The amount of conditioner used will depend on your personal hair length. Rub the conditioner into your hands (no need to emulsify) and work from your ears down.
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After shampooing, rinse and repeat.
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Just as shampoo is a product for your scalp, conditioner is a product for your hair.
Apply the conditioner with a comb or with your hands and leave it on for 4-5 minutes before rinsing.
For women who want to improve the quality of their hair, hairdressers with years of experience recommend making two changes to your hair care routine.
