8 Common Hair Washing Mistakes and How to Correct Them

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Reviewed by Sophia EmmanuelFact checked by Anna Harris

While shampooing your hair might seem straightforward, according to experts, there's a chance you could be doing it wrong. In fact, most people make at least one mistake every time they lather up. Sometimes they don't spend enough time scrubbing their scalps, occasionally they don't rinse thoroughly, and sometimes they use the wrong conditioner.

But, as with anything, there is always room for improvement, and taking steps to better care for your hair is easier than you'd think. With that in mind, and with the help of pro hairstylists Bianca Hillier and Cassandra Olivia, we've outlined the common errors people make when shampooing and conditioning their hair. Read on for your cleanest, softest hair yet.

Meet the Experts

• Bianca Hillier is a celebrity colorist and spokesperson for Olaplex.

• Cassandra Olivia is a master cosmetologist and Leaf and Flower ambassador.
  

Not Wetting Your Hair Thoroughly

Most people don't wet their hair thoroughly before applying shampoo. "Thoroughly wet your hair," emphasizes Olivia. "Stand under the shower for a minute or two and section [your] hair to ensure water gets to all parts of your scalp and hair."

Every strand needs to be soaking wet to get a deep clean. For many, it takes just a full minute under the shower stream to ensure every strand is drenched, but it's different for everybody. If your hair is particularly dense—not even thick, just dense—run your fingers through to doublecheck that water has made it from the root to the ends of your hair.

Using Too Much Shampoo

People generally have no idea how much shampoo to use in the shower. And if you use a fancy shampoo, you could be washing a lot of money down the drain. "Generally, people tell me they keep adding more shampoo because it's not sudsing up," says Hillier. "Oftentimes, sulfate-free shampoos (aka color-safe shampoos) do not suds up and can trick you into thinking they aren't not cleansing properly. People will continue to add product in hopes of a better lather." For short hair, use a nickel-sized amount. For medium-length hair, use a quarter-sized amount. If you have long hair, use about a half-dollar amount. Squeeze the shampoo in your palm, and then use your fingers to apply the product, starting at the scalp and crown.

Skipping the Scalp

Starting at the scalp is crucial. If you've ever had a professional shampoo at a salon, you know how much time they spend on your scalp. It's not just an impromptu head massage: Scrubbing the scalp is a crucial step to effectively shampoo.

The magic number for cleansing the scalp is three minutes, no matter your hair length or hair type. "Apply shampoo into the palm of your hand and rub your hands together to emulsify the shampoo and create a small lather," says Olivia. "Use the tips of your fingers to massage the shampoo into your scalp, then gently pull the shampoo down your hair to the tips."

Focusing your initial shampooing efforts on the scalp helps remove dirt, sebum, and buildup that collects there. Spending less than three minutes on your scalp is like quickly running a mop over a dirty floor rather than scrubbing the surface of its grime. Once a week, it's important to properly exfoliate the scalp with a scrub or treatment.

Using the Wrong Shampoo

"The biggest mistake clients run into with shampoo is not using the proper shampoo targeted for their specific hair type," Hillier says.

She recommends using a product suitable for all hair types, like Olaplex's No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo ($30), which is "sulfate-free, great for all hair types, and bubbles up a ton. A little goes a long way since the formula is extremely concentrated. It contains [the brand's] patented bond-building technology to relink the damaged hair bonds for stronger, healthier hair."

No matter what you use, be sure to work it into the hair. Take the appropriate amount of shampoo for your length and apply it to your hair. Focus on massaging the shampoo into your actual hair strands; You can spend as little as 20 seconds on this part, or longer if you use lots of products that can cause buildup.

Not Rinsing Thoroughly

It turns out that "rinse" in the phrase "rinse and repeat" isn't just alliteration—it's a make-or-break step in the shampooing process, especially for those with long or textured hair.

"Once you've fully lathered down to the bottom of your hair, rinse any remaining shampoo off your hands," says Olivia. "Divide hair into sections and begin to rinse—start from the scalp and work your way down. Once you've rinsed, run clean hands through your hair to [ensure] you didn't miss any shampoo."

If you typically whip through the rinse portion of your hair-washing process, you could be harming your strands—especially since it's the shampoo that can cause buildup on hair, not conditioner.

Skipping Conditioner

Skipping conditioner can be a time-saver, but your hair will pay for it in the end. "Choose a conditioner geared toward adding moisture to the hair," says Olivia. There are a range of conditioners on the market, from curl conditioners, to lightweight conditioners, to reparative conditioners. Choose a conditioner based on your hair type and concerns, but when in doubt, a lightweight conditioner with moisturizing ingredients will always be among our favorites.

The key to productive conditioning is removing the excess water from your hair before you apply product, as this allows it to soak in and do its job. Take your time to work it in, making sure to coat every strand.

Byrdie Tip

The trick to using conditioner is to only apply it to the bottom two-thirds of the hair. Also, don't let conditioner touch your scalp since your roots, which develop a natural oil, can get overly oily and weigh down hair.

Uneven Application

If you want to avoid tangles and hair breakage, lather the scalp with shampoo. Take your appropriate amount of shampoo and "smear it all over the head, then add extra water and watch it turn into a foam party," Hillier says. Follow by working the conditioner into the hair with a wide-toothed comb or a Denman 7 Row Classic Styling Brush ($25).

Make sure to rinse out the conditioner thoroughly. Depending on your hair type, leaving a little conditioner on for softer hair can be beneficial (specifically for coily hair textures).

Skipping a Double Shampoo When Your Hair Is Greasy

Much like a double-cleanse for your skin (where the first cleanse removes debris and products and the second cleanse actually cleans your skin), the same practice can be applied to the hair. Double-shampooing your hair means to shampoo, rinse, then shampoo and rinse one more time before using conditioner. This is particularly beneficial when you hair is particularly greasy from a lot of product buildup, going more than a week without washing your hair, or if you're a frequent dry shampoo user. Alternatively, you can also use a clarifying shampoo in these instances.

Read the original article on Byrdie.