The general practice is to shampoo first, then condition. Here's a breakdown of how to properly shampoo and condition your hair:
Step-by-Step Guide to Shampooing and Conditioning
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Wet Your Hair Thoroughly: Use lukewarm water to completely saturate your hair. This helps to loosen dirt and oils.
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Apply Shampoo Primarily to the Scalp: Squeeze a small amount of shampoo into your palm. Work the shampoo into your scalp, massaging with your fingertips. Focus on the scalp because this is where oil and dirt accumulate.
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Work the Shampoo Through Your Hair: Gently pull the shampoo through the length of your hair. There's no need to vigorously scrub the ends, as shampooing the scalp will naturally cleanse the rest of your hair during rinsing.
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Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse your hair and scalp completely with lukewarm water until all traces of shampoo are gone. Squeaky-clean hair is the goal here.
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Apply Conditioner to the Lengths and Ends: Squeeze a small amount of conditioner into your hand. Apply the conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair, avoiding the scalp. Applying conditioner to the scalp can make it oily.
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Let the Conditioner Sit: Allow the conditioner to sit in your hair for the time indicated on the bottle (usually 1-3 minutes). This allows the conditioner to properly moisturize and detangle your hair.
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Rinse Thoroughly Again: Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water until all traces of conditioner are gone. You want your hair to feel smooth, but not coated.
Why Shampoo Then Conditioner?
- Shampoo Cleans: Shampoo is designed to remove dirt, oil, and product buildup.
- Conditioner Moisturizes: Conditioner is designed to replenish moisture and smooth the hair cuticle, making your hair softer and more manageable.
- Reversing the order is generally not recommended. If you condition before shampooing it can leave your hair feeling heavy and greasy.
In summary, always shampoo first, focusing on the scalp, to remove dirt and oil. Then, condition the lengths and ends of your hair to restore moisture and manageability. Rinse thoroughly after each step.
