Effectively cleaning your scalp is an essential part of your healthy haircare routine and, ultimately, achieving your healthiest hair. Between washes, our scalps are exposed to styling products, natural oil build up and environmental pollutants. Without properly cleaning our scalp and removing the build up that accumulates, you can become susceptible to scalp problems and irritations. With our scalp health playing an important role in healthy hair growth, it’s vital we effectively clean and nourish our scalp with a natural shampoo. So, here are 8 common shampoo mistakes you can avoid in your haircare routine to experience your healthiest scalp and hair results. Our overall hair health results are impacted not only by our shampoo habits, but also by the type of shampoo we choose to invest in. This is why we must also discuss the importance of using an all-natural shampoo.
1. Not saturating your hair first
A vital step that can easily be overlooked in your hair washing routine is not allowing enough time to completely saturate your hair with water before you start to apply any product. Before you even reach for your shampoo, make sure you allow the water to saturate all parts of your scalp and hair, especially if you have a lot of build up on your scalp, so you can effectively lather and thoroughly clean your scalp when it’s time to apply shampoo.
2. Not lathering your shampoo in your hands before applying
Once your hair is wet, it’s easy to fall into the habit of squeezing your shampoo into your hands and rubbing it straight into the top and front of your scalp, which will start the cleaning process. However, to assist with this lather and ensure all parts of your scalp are cleaned, it’s important to start the lathering process in your hands. Simply start working the shampoo in your hands for a few seconds then apply the product to your scalp and continue the lathering process by gently massaging with your fingertips.
3. Not applying shampoo evenly to all parts of your scalp
Starting to work and lather the shampoo in your hands first is particularly effective for ensuring you apply product evenly to all parts of your scalp. Often, if we apply a large amount of shampoo directly to the top of our scalp without being intentional with our application, it’s easy to miss parts of your scalp, which means your scalp does not receive a thorough clean. It’s easy to fall into the trap of enjoying that rich lather and foaming experience from your shampoo, and assume your scalp is clean because you’re spreading the shampoo foam around your scalp and through your hair. However, if you’re not intentional with your shampoo application, or you simply have a lot of thick hair, it can be easy to miss the lower and underneath sections of your scalp. If you have an oily scalp or find you have a build up of styling products, it is particularly vital you evenly apply and massage your shampoo into every area, as opposed to simply spreading the shampoo foam around your head. Take the time to massage with your fingertips, focusing on working the shampoo directly into your scalp, underneath the weight of your hair. Unless you achieve an even application and allow your shampoo to clean all parts of your scalp, you risk not experiencing an effective clean, potentially causing scalp irritations or simply limp, oily hair.
4. Not applying the right amount for your scalp
As you take the time to ensure you’re reaching all parts of your scalp when washing, you may find that you’re not using enough shampoo to cover all areas. This means you may need to apply your shampoo more generously. Overusing shampoo has always been discouraged because you don’t want to strip the natural oils from your scalp and hair. However, when you use an all-natural shampoo, like our Sozo Hair Health Shampoo, it is important to apply generously so you can experience an effective clean. With natural and sulphate free shampoos, you do not need to worry about drying out your hair like the traditional and chemical based products. If you’re unsure about whether you’re using the right amount of shampoo for your scalp, pay close attention to how your scalp feels immediately after washing and drying. If it feels clean but some areas, particularly those underneath sections, still feel slightly oily or greasy, you will instantly know that you’re not using enough product in those areas. So, for your next wash, try using your natural shampoo more generously. If you’re worried about overusing or drying out your hair, always remember that it is more important to apply your shampoo generously to achieve a proper clean instead of using only a small amount and not thoroughly removing the build up from your scalp.
5. Only shampooing once
Double shampooing is another simple yet effective way to maintain a clean and healthy scalp. Taking the time to shampoo twice when washing your hair will ensure you completely remove any dirt, oil or product build up that accumulates. This means double shampooing is particularly important if you have an oily scalp type or regularly use styling products like dry shampoo. Once again, you might be worried that double shampooing will strip or dry out your hair; however, when you invest in a high quality, all-natural shampoo that is formulated to clean and nourish, like our Sozo Hair Health Shampoo, you can enjoy the benefits of double shampooing, as well as healthy, hydrated hair.
6. Shampooing your hair
When you create that lovely shampoo lather and foam, it’s easy to fall into the habit of gathering all of your hair and collectively washing your scalp and hair at the same time. However, shampoo is designed to clean your scalp, not your hair. This means you may be causing unnecessary matting and knots if you are shampooing the ends of your hair, when you only need to be focusing on massaging and cleaning the scalp.
7. Using sulphate based shampoos
As we’ve already discussed, there has always been fear around shampoos stripping and drying out our hair. This is because shampoos are traditionally formulated with harsh sulphates that are used as the cleaning and foaming agents. However, in our chemical free Hair Health Shampoo, we have formulated sulphate free surfactants alongside a range of natural oils and extracts to provide that rich clean and foaming experience without stripping your hair. So, if you want to enjoy clean, healthy and hydrated hair in both the short and long term, investing in a natural shampoo is your best option.
8. Not washing frequently enough
Once again, it has always been said that washing as little as possible is the healthiest habit for your hair. But as we’ve just discussed, this is a suggestion made when using heavily chemical and sulphate-based shampoos and haircare products. However, when you invest in a natural shampoo, it is vital you wash as frequently as your scalp and hair require. Everyone has unique hair types, which means some people will have to wash more frequently than others, and that is absolutely normal. If you have an oilier scalp, find you experience build up from styling products or are simply sweating or swimming every day, it is vital you wash frequently and according to your needs in order to maintain a clean scalp.
We all enjoy the feeling of a clean, healthy scalp after washing our hair. However, achieving an effective clean with your natural shampoo is not only important for that fresh hair feeling, but it is also a vital part in maintaining a healthy scalp free from build up and irritations. Plus, properly removing the dirt, oil and product build up that naturally accumulates between washes is also an essential step in your hair washing routine as it then sets you up to receive all the goodness and soothing ingredients from products like conditioners and hair mask treatments. With small and intentional changes in your shampooing routine, you can instantly elevate your results and experience your healthiest scalp and hair.
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