We instinctively reach for our trusted shampoo and conditioner when our greasy scalp and dull hair need revival. While this is an accurate course of action, some of us find that our hair still feels weighed down and greasy. It’s a constant dilemma between wanting to skip conditioner altogether and hoping for luscious, soft hair. However, the concept of reverse-washing your hair may just put an end to it.
What Is Reverse-Shampooing?
Reverse-shampooing a.k.a reverse-conditioning simply refers to swapping the steps of your hair cleansing routine. Instead of applying conditioner after shampooing, you apply conditioner first and follow up with a shampoo as the second step. The way to use conditioner remains the same, though. You apply it evenly to wet hair, from the mid-shafts to the tips, and keep it on for a minute or two before rinsing it with water. Use a mild shampoo after this step and rinse again. From feather-light softness to healthy shine, here are some benefits of reverse hair washing.
Benefits of Reverse-Shampooing
- Tames Frizz: Frizz refers to highly porous hair that struggles to retain moisture. When humidity enters the hair shaft, it rearranges the fibres of the hair, making it coarse and rough. Coating your hair with conditioner for a few minutes deeply nourishes the lengths to trap in moisture and tame frizz.
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- Nourishes Hair Cuticles: The hair cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair, made of overlapping dead skin cells to protect and strengthen the hair shaft. Frayed cuticles can be a result of dryness and frizz which can make the hair coarse, dull, and brittle. Conditioner’s thick formula seals the cuticles for stronger lengths and healthy shine.
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- Moisturises & Softens: If you have dry hair that struggles to retain moisture, then reverse-conditioning will be extremely effective in moisturising and softening the lengths of your hair. For extra nourishment, you can even try the reverse shampoo method with a hair mask, which is a thicker and more concentrated version of a conditioner. Keep it on for five minutes or as per the product suggestion before rinsing it off.
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- Doesn’t Make Hair Greasy: Applying conditioner after shampoo may prove to be counterproductive for people with oily scalp as it weighs their hair down and makes it greasy. Reverse-conditioning will leave the scalp cleansed and clarified while making the hair soft and smooth.
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- Gives Hair Volume: Since the reverse shampoo method cleanses off the conditioner, it keeps the hair and scalp refreshed and lightweight, enhances the natural volume of hair, and gives it a healthy bounce.
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- Makes Hair Manageable: Owing to environmental stressors and constant hairstyling, hair can get caught up in tangles and knots. Shampooing directly on tangled hair can lead to breakage. Reverse hair conditioning loosens knots and softens detangled hair to avoid breakage and tension in the scalp while shampooing.
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- Helps Better Absorption: Reverse-shampooing leaves the hair shafts clean and makes post-wash products like leave-in conditioner and hair serum absorb deeply into the shafts of the hair for better nourishment without any greasiness.
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How To Follow Reverse-Shampooing?
Step 1: Apply conditioner from the mid-length to the ends of wet hair and leave it on for a minute or two. If you have frizzy, dry hair, consider detangling your hair with a detangler brush before shampooing. If you want to oil your hair, consider oiling only the scalp for better circulation and strong hair follicles.
Step 2: Rinsing off the conditioner depends on the hair type. If you have an oily scalp, lather shampoo on both the scalp and hair to avoid residue. If you have a dry scalp and coarse, frizzy hair, lather shampoo only to the scalp to wash off the oil (if any) and conditioner. Stick to only rinsing the lengths to retain moisture.
Step 3: Use a microfibre towel to dry the hair. Avoid vigorously rubbing the hair as it can damage the hair shafts. Instead, pat dry the hair. For extra care, wrap your in a soft cotton t-shirt or cloth to let it dry without any static damage.
What To Look For In A Shampoo & Conditioner For Reverse Hair Washing
Shampoo
- If you have an oily scalp, consider going for a clarifying shampoo that has salicylic acid and tea tree to get rid of excess oil and dandruff.
If you have a dry scalp and hair, look for moisturising properties in your shampoo like hyaluronic acid, and coconut water. This will replenish the scalp and hydrate the strands.
Conditioner:
- Conditioners have certain ingredients that can make or break your hair care routine depending on your hair type. Silicone is a common ingredient that coats the hair to give it shine and softness. However, it can weigh the hair down if you have an oily scalp. So, opt for a silicone-free conditioner to give your hair lightweight nourishment. This is also great for people with coarse curly hair who want defined, bouncy coils.
- If you have extremely dry and damaged hair, look for a conditioner with ingredients like argan oil, murumuru butter, and avocado extract to repair heat and colour damage.
Reverse-shampooing is an easy way to make your hair super soft, voluminous, and manageable without having to follow additional steps. We hope this guide helps you figure out the best reverse shampoo method for your hair type.
