Hair Conditioning and Shampooing Tips
Shampooing and conditioning are integral components of any hair care regime, as they cleanse and nourish the hair and the scalp and make hair grow stronger and healthier. The frequency at which you should shampoo and condition your hair depends on its type. Dry hair naturally needs more frequent and intensive conditioning than normal or oily hair does. Prolonged exposure to sunlight, dust and pollutants also makes the hair dull and coarse, which makes it necessary for those who travel a lot to wash their hair with shampoo more frequently than those who work at home primarily. It is advisable that you use a mild herbal shampoo for washing your hair if it is thin, brittle and sensitive, as the harsh chemicals present in most commercially available shampoos can damage the hair. If you have dry hair, you should shampoo twice a week and use generous amounts of conditioner. Excessive shampooing can render your hair even drier.
A simple way of preventing this is to add an egg to the bottle of your regular shampoo and shake it well to mix the contents well. Store this mixture in the refrigerator and use it regularly to wash your hair. It is also useful to apply the pulp of a ripe banana or avocado on dry hair 20 minutes before shampooing. This naturally moisturizes the hair and makes it soft and silky. If you have normal hair, shampooing and conditioning your hair thrice a week should be sufficient. You may soak your hair in some apple cider vinegar after shampooing and let it soak the scalp for 5 minutes before rinsing your hair finally with water. This gives your hair a natural bounce without rendering it dry and frizzy. Also, mix a tablespoon of honey and an egg thoroughly till the mixture becomes frothy and use this as a conditioner.
If you have oily hair, you should shampoo your hair every alternate day in order to wash away the excessive sebum that accumulates on your scalp. You should use conditioner sparingly for such hair. While using conditioner, apply a small amount around the middle of the hair shaft and move your fingers downwards till the tips of the hair. This will prevent adding to the oiliness of the scalp. It is also recommended that if you have damaged hair, you should apply some almond oil to it half an hour before shampooing and conditioning.