Before you start
- Shampoo and conditioner for your hair type
- A wide-tooth comb
- A microfibre towel or cotton T-shirt
- Leave-in conditioner or oil (for curly and coily hair)
| Hair type | Typical wash frequency | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| Fine or oily, straight | Every day or every other day | Lightweight products, clean scalp |
| Thick or wavy | Every 2–3 days | Balance between clean scalp and moisture |
| Curly | Every 3–7 days | Moisture, gentle cleansing, defining curls |
| Coily or kinky (type 4) | Once a week or every 1–2 weeks | Deep moisture, gentle detangling, low manipulation |
Method 1 Wash your hair properly
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Step 1: Pre-treat if needed
For dry, curly or coily hair, apply oil or conditioner to the lengths 15–30 minutes before washing (a “pre-poo”) to protect them from drying out.
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Step 2: Wet thoroughly
Soak your hair completely with lukewarm water. Very hot water can dry out the scalp and strands.
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Step 3: Shampoo the scalp
Use a small amount of shampoo and massage it into your scalp with your fingertips (not nails). The lather that runs down cleans the lengths enough. Rinse well. If you use lots of products, a second wash may help.
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Step 4: Condition the lengths
Squeeze out excess water, then smooth conditioner over the mid-lengths and ends. Leave it for 2–5 minutes, or longer for a deep conditioner.
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Step 5: Detangle while conditioned
Gently detangle with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends and working up to the roots.
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Step 6: Rinse
Rinse with cool to lukewarm water until the hair no longer feels slippery (unless the product says to leave some in).
Method 2 Dry and style gently
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Step 1: Blot, don’t rub
Squeeze water out with a microfibre towel or cotton T-shirt. Rubbing with a rough towel causes frizz and breakage.
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Step 2: Air-dry when you can
Let hair dry naturally, or use a diffuser on low heat for curls.
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Step 3: Protect from heat
Use a heat protectant before blow-drying, straightening or curling, keep tools on the lowest effective setting, and limit heat styling to a few times a week.
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Step 4: Brush carefully
Brush dry straight hair with a soft or paddle brush. Avoid brushing dry curly or coily hair; detangle it when damp and conditioned.
Method 3 Extra care for curly and coily hair
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Step 1: Use the LOC or LCO method
Seal in moisture after washing by layering a Liquid or leave-in conditioner, an Oil and a Cream (or leave-in, cream, then oil). Try both orders to see which suits your hair.
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Step 2: Deep condition regularly
Use a deep conditioner or hair mask every wash day or every other week, ideally with gentle warmth from a shower cap.
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Step 3: Work in sections
Divide hair into 4–8 sections to wash, condition and detangle; it reduces tangles and breakage.
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Step 4: Protect at night
Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase, or wear a satin bonnet or scarf, to reduce friction and moisture loss.
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Step 5: Choose protective styles wisely
Braids, twists and wigs can protect hair, but shouldn’t pull or hurt. Don’t keep them in for more than about 6–8 weeks, and keep the scalp clean and moisturised.
Troubleshooting
My scalp is flaky and itchy
Try an anti-dandruff shampoo with zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole or selenium sulfide, leaving it on the scalp for a few minutes. See a doctor if it doesn’t improve in a few weeks.
My hair gets greasy quickly
Wash more often with a lightweight shampoo, keep conditioner away from the roots, and avoid touching your hair often.
My hair feels dry and breaks easily
Reduce heat and chemical treatments, deep condition weekly, seal moisture with a leave-in and oil, and handle hair gently.
Products build up on my hair
Use a clarifying shampoo once a month, then deep condition.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to wash hair every day?
Not for everyone. Fine, oily or straight hair often benefits. Curly and coily hair usually needs less frequent washing to keep moisture.
Do I need sulphate-free shampoo?
It’s gentler for curly, coily, dry or colour-treated hair. Oily hair can do well with regular shampoo.
Does cutting hair make it grow faster?
No, growth happens at the scalp. Trims remove split ends, so hair looks thicker and breaks less.
Summary
Wash as often as your hair type needs, shampooing the scalp and conditioning the lengths. Detangle gently while conditioned, blot dry, and keep heat low. For curly and coily hair, seal in moisture with the LOC or LCO method, deep condition regularly, protect hair at night, and avoid tight styles that pull.
