You probably think you have your hair-washing routine down to a tee. After all, it's something you likely do multiple times a week and have been doing your whole life.
However, according to an expert, many people are getting this self-care step wrong. Hair and scalp expert Dorian White revealed the best way to wash your hair - it's not as simple as shampoo, rinse out, condition, rinse out.
Dorian (@dorian_marie_hair on TikTok), offered her top hair-washing tips for those who want to achieve luscious locks. Taking to TikTok, she made a video responding to someone who revealed that when washing their hair, they apply shampoo and rinse it out, then apply conditioner and rinse it out. They added: "I think this is why my hair is so damaged."
The expert said: "If this is how you shampoo and condition your hair, listen up because you need to hear a couple of things first." In the video, she told viewers: "You're probably shampooing and conditioning your hair wrong."
The expert instructed women to emulsify their shampoo before applying it
TikTok / @dorian_marie_hair
For beautiful strands, Dori encouraged viewers to emulsify their shampoo for 10 to 15 seconds before using it. Ladies should put their shampoo in one hand and rub their palms together to create an emulsion.
She said: "If you're using a high-quality shampoo, the viscosity and the colour might even change.
"Once that's emulsified, your product is ready to go. It's actually using a lot of water that is already on your hands to help the emulsification. You don't need to add any excess water to it or anything - but that's literally how they are formulated to use."
Dori also expressed the importance of shampoo placement, stressing that it is a "scalp care product rather than a hair care product". This means it should be applied to the scalp rather than the hair.
The hair guru said: "Make sure you section your hair off so you can apply the shampoo all over. Once you've put it all over, massage it in."
According to Dori, ladies should allow their shampoo to sit in their hair for two to three minutes to "let the surfactants do their magic". Then, they should rinse it out with water.
Surfactants perform several functions in shampoo, including breaking down the bonds between dirt, oil and other impurities so they can be rinsed away, and reducing surface tension to allow the shampoo to spread across the scalp.
Dori added: "And we're going to do that all over again. Put it in your hand, emulsify it, section it off into your hair and massage. Then, let it sit for two to three minutes and rinse it off again."
Next, ladies might like to apply a hair mask on occasion. If not, they can skip to the conditioning step.
The amount of conditioner used depends on an individual's hair length. Conditioner should be rubbed into the hands - although it does not need to be emulsified - and then applied from the ears down.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
After shampooing your hair, rinse and repeat
GETTY IMAGES
Just like how shampoo is a product for the scalp, conditioner is a product for the strands.
Conditioner can be applied using a comb or your hands and then left to sit for four to five minutes before being rinsed out.
For ladies who are looking to improve their locks, a hairdresser with a lifetime of experience recommended making two changes to your routine.