How to Wash Your Hair the Right Way

Do find the right formula

All hair cleansers are not created equally—and they’re certainly not formulated for all hair types. This is one reason we created Prose: to make custom hair care products that address your hair and scalp’s specific needs. Our shampoos offer a wide range of active ingredients in formulas customized just for you: i.e. to protect color, to regulate sebum production, to add volume, or to soothe an irritated scalp. Choosing and using a shampoo that addresses exactly what your hair needs makes cleansing a more effective and efficient process—and keeps your hair at its healthiest. It’s also worth noting that all of Prose’s shampoo formulas are sulfate-free. We believe sulfates in a cleansing product are often unnecessarily harsh, stripping oil and color molecules from the hair.

Don’t apply your shampoo in one spot

As kids, when we first learned to shampoo our own hair, we were typically taught to pump a dollop of shampoo (step one, above) into our palms, slap it on top of our heads, then move it around with our fingertips. And when a shampoo contains sulfates and lathers up, we can usually get away with this because all that foam makes it fairly easy to move the cleanser around. But, sulfate-free formulas don’t suds the way we’re used to and are, therefore, trickier to distribute. This means careful placement—from the get-go—is key.

A simple strategy: After wetting your hair, apply a line of shampoo across your 4 fingers and tap hands together (you can also add a little water to activate.) Place fingertips into scalp targeting your oiliest (or itchiest) spots: the crown, hairline and at your nape. Now, create a part on the opposite side of your head and repeat this process. Be sure to add water to help create the suds-y property. Finally, take your fingertips and gently massage the shampoo into your scalp (where we typically need the most cleaning) and rinse, allowing the shampoo to run through the rest of your hair, grabbing buildup, grime and excess oil as it goes. Unless it has been more than a week since your last shampoo, you won’t need to repeat this process. However, if it has been a minute since you’ve washed your hair a second shampoo is recommended as the first shampoo will remove dead skin cells, oil and product buildup while the second will properly cleanse your hair. But typically, one shampoo = plenty.

Do use a detangler

Before you hop in the shower, be sure to detangle using a ball-tipped hairbrush. You can also pair your detangling routine with a leave-in conditioner to help loosen knots and tangles. Then, post-detangle is the perfect time to use a pre-shampoo scalp or hair mask on damp strands. At Prose, your custom cleansing regimen also comes with a set of instructions, including how to wash your hair and exactly how to use your shampoo’s companion conditioner. For some, this means applying roots to ends. However, for most, starting conditioner about four inches from the scalp (eye/cheekbone length) is recommended to detangle and hydrate, without weighing down the hair or leaving roots too oily. Leave the conditioner on for the recommended amount of time to maximize penetration, then as you rinse, finish with a shot of cold water to seal your hair’s cuticle, the outer layer, locking in moisture and boosting shine.

Don’t over-cleanse

Just as you typically need not shampoo twice per shower, most of us should also not shampoo every day. OD’ing on cleansing can remove too much moisture from strands, leaving your hair dry and prone to frizz, as well as accelerating color fading. Many pros say shampooing between two and four times per week is plenty—and even less than that (more like once a week) if your hair is very coarse, curly or dry. On days when you do need a “wet restyle” after, say, a sweaty workout (but you just shampooed the day before), get in the shower and rinse your hair with water—or use a small drop of conditioner in place of your shampoo. This latter suggestion is called a conditioning cleanse and it will remove perspiration and revive your strands, without taking away too much moisture.

Do handle with care

Big, fluffy towels are great for drying our bodies post-shower, but they can be harsh on the hair. The friction they create as we rub them over wet strands can tear at hair and cause cuticles to lift, triggering frizz and enabling moisture to seep out. A better bet: Use a microfiber towel, or even a clean t-shirt. Both options absorb excess water, without roughing up the hair. Aim to leave the towel/t-shirt on for at least two minutes to take your strands from dripping to damp. Damp is preferable to sopping-wet when it comes to product application, as the latter dilutes a product’s potency. Damp hair also dries faster, so if you do blow-dry, you’ve just shortened the duration—and diminished the damage. However, if you have type 3 or 4 hair and are working to achieve a wash n go, products applied on soaking wet hair is key for moisture balance.

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