Water that's too hot can scald the scalp and irritate hair follicles; water that's too cold causes the scalp to contract from the chill, slowing blood circulation and depriving follicles of nutrients, leading to hair loss. Shampooing water should be moderately warm, ideally around body temperature (37-40°C/98.6-104°F). Slightly warmer than body temperature is optimal.
Comb hair before washing
Before washing, use a damp comb to loosen dirt and dust adhering to the scalp, allowing both scalp and hair to be thoroughly cleansed. When combing, avoid starting directly at the roots to prevent damage.
Avoid pouring shampoo directly onto the scalp
Applying shampoo directly to the scalp can lead to chemical residue buildup and hinder lather formation, compromising cleansing effectiveness. Always dispense shampoo into your palms first, lather thoroughly, then apply to hair.
Avoid scratching your scalp with fingernails
Refrain from using fingernails to scratch your scalp during washing. While some believe this provides deeper cleansing, fingernails harbor bacteria. Scratching can break delicate skin, increasing infection risk. Instead, gently massage the scalp using fingertips.
Rinse shampoo and conditioner thoroughly
Since shampoo and conditioner contain chemicals, ensure they are completely rinsed out during washing to prevent residue buildup on hair. Additionally, avoid applying conditioner near the roots. During washing, hair follicles open, and applying conditioner near the roots allows chemicals to seep in and potentially clog the follicles.
Always towel-dry hair first after washing
After washing, hair cuticles are open—a vulnerable state where dust, bacteria, and dirt can easily penetrate. Therefore, it's best to towel-dry hair to about 60-70% dryness first. This promotes cuticle closure, helping reduce damage from frequent shampooing.
Avoid combing wet hair
Immediately after washing, the cuticles remain open. Excessive combing at this stage can cause significant damage to the cuticles, leading to frizziness once the hair dries.
Dry hair before bed
At night, the body enters a resting phase. Residual moisture from washing can form dampness that penetrates the scalp, easily clogging pores and disrupting follicle nourishment. This leads to hair damage and hair loss. Therefore, ensure hair is at least 90% dry before sleeping.