Ayurveda - How To Shampoo and Condition Hair?

You might do it nearly every day, but here’s something surprising: you might not really know how to shampoo and condition your hair the right way. Using the correct techniques can make a world of difference in your hair’s health, bounce and shine—but if you are making some common mistakes, you could be damaging your lovely locks without even realizing it. 

Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of healing, places a lot of value on healthy, strong, lustrous hair. According to this alternate healing modality, healthy hair signifies a healthy body and vice versa.

Ayurveda has a few suggestions for what you should do to keep your mane strong and healthy. If you want to know how you should shampoo and condition your hair to keep them healthy for long, then wait no longer as we have some invaluable tips coming up.

Before you take a shower, take a wide-toothed comb and comb your hair gently and properly. This will not only reduce tangles but also help you keep away from hair shafts when it is dry. Now, wet your tresses with normal water and take some shampoo and gently massage your hair with it. Work the shampoo throughout the length of your hair. Rinse your hair with cold water and keep stroking your hair in the downward direction after this, apply conditioner only on the tips of your hair. Apply the conditioner gently and let it stay for five minutes. This will strengthen the cuticles of your hair and prevent your hair from looking limp. after conditioning your hair use towel and dont rub it vigorously as it may do breakage of hair instead blot your hair . Do not blow dry. This is because heat will break your hair, making it rough, dull and prone to damage. Hence, it’s always better to let your hair dry naturally. 

After air dry your hair, use wide-toothed wooden comb for combing.

Here are the quick tips:

1. Regular cleaning- Just cleaning your hair and scalp is not enough. Everything used for your hair should be spotlessly clean too. The brushes you use for combing should be good quality and should be kept clean to prevent scalp infections. Both combs and brushes should be kept clean by washing twice a week and kept in a bag, which should be washed frequently too.
2. Regular cleansing of scalp and hair- Keeping your hair and scalp clean is important as this prevents clogging of hair follicles and itchy scalp.
3. Herbal shampoos- Instead of chemical-based shampoos, Ayurveda advocates gentle herbal shampoos for cleaning.
4. Avoid excesisve shapooing- Ayurveda doesn’t advocate excessive shampooing, especially with harsh shampoos. This can lead to drying out of the scalp, which damages hair. It’s also important to know that the foam produced by chemical shampoos is because of harmful surfactants and this strips the outer protein layer of your hair as well as dries the scalp, making the use of conditioners necessary.
5. Frequency of washing- Frequency of washing hair depends on the quality of your hair and scalp. Oily scalps need more frequent shampooing.
6. Natural cleanser- Traditionally, powdered herbs were used to cleanse hair. This removed dirt without disturbing the natural oil balance of the scalp. You can also prepare your own natural shampoo by boiling Ritha and Shikakai powders together.
7. Avoid hot water- Both the brain and scalp prefer to be cool. So always use lukewarm water to shampoo your hair. Cool water helps in toning the scalp and also refreshes the nervous system.
8. Go for natural conditioners- Always use a natural conditioner to condition your hair after a wash. Chemical conditioners do little more than provide an oily film over hair strands. This traps dirt and makes your hair look dull. Instead, use lemon juice for a rinse after shampooing with a natural shampoo.
9. Avoid blow-drying- After washing, leave your hair to dry naturally. Don’t blow-dry your hair as it dries hair and damages it.
10. Brush your hair regularly- Brushing hair regularly gives the scalp a gentle massage and improves blood circulation. Wide-toothed wooden combs should be used for brushing. Also, when your hair is brushed, oil-producing glands in the scalp get stimulated and this coats the hair shaft with oil, giving it a natural sheen. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an ayurveda.