Wash day is a big deal. Having the right wash day routine is important because it can promote healthy hair and hair growth. If you have struggled with growing your hair it may be time to look a little closer into your wash day routine. Believe it or not, an important key to adding inches to your hair actually starts with your wash day regimen. How often you wash your, the types of products you use during wash day and even the techniques you use to wash your hair can make or break your hair, literally! If you are missing any of the key steps then you can end up with hair that is dry, matted and even tangled. Wash day is key, but don’t worry, I am going to help you. In this article I’ll share with you 5 Simple Wash Day Tips to Grow Your Hair and Make it Look and Feel Marvelous.
1. Section Your Hair Off on Wash Day
One of the biggest mistakes people make when washing their own hair is being too rough with their hair. Our hair is the most fragile when it’s wet because the actual structure of the cuticle changes while wet. In order to reduce breakage it’s important to work with your hair in sections. While this tip may not actually make your hair grow, it will help you retain your length and prevent damage to your hair. It also makes it easier to distribute the product throughout your hair.
To get started, try parting your hair into 3-6 sections before you get in the shower. Next, twist each section, as this will ensure the hair is easy to manage and under control. Make sure you only have one section loose while you maneuver through each phase of your wash day regime (washing, conditioning and then detangling).
2. Deeply Cleanse Your Hair
A common misconception is that dirty hair grows faster and longer. However, the truth of the matter is that your scalp needs a clean environment to flourish. Infrequent washing can lead to odor and buildup on the scalp that actually can create an environment for bacterial infections and scalp conditions. Those scalp conditions may actually cause you to experience an abnormal amount of shedding and even hair loss (e.g. dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, folliculitis, etc.).
While some of those side effects may sounds scary, you can prevent them by cleaning your hair with a gentle, sulfate-free clarifying shampoo on a regular basis. A clarifying shampoo, unlike a moisturizing shampoo, is designed to remove the buildup from your scalp and hair. This step is especially important if you use a lot of oils, butters and creams while styling your hair.
3. Deep Condition Every Time During Wash Day
Deep conditioning is a critical step during wash day to promote hair growth. This process helps your hair to retain moisture better and increase the elasticity (bounce) of your hair. Also, the better moisturized your hair is, the easier it is to style and the more bounce it will have. There are many ways to deep condition. One way is to apply your favorite conditioner and sit under the dryer for 10-15 minutes before rinsing out.
If you have a bit more time you can use a deep conditioner or hair mask and apply it to your hair with a plastic cap and allow your the heat from your scalp to help the conditioner penetrate your hair. If you’re short on time we recommend using the Quench & Repair Conditioner, which can double as an instant conditioner or deep conditioner.
4. Seal in that Moisture
Face it, there is no point in using moisturizing products, if you don’t seal in the moisture. The more kinky, curly or coily your hair is the harder it can be to retain moisture. Every time you moisturize your hair, it is important to use a sealant or anti-humectant to keep your hair moisturized throughout the day. Experiment with different oils to see what your hair likes best. If you struggle with keeping moisture in your hair, then you’ll want to use a leave-in spray or cream, like the VoiceOfHair 3-in-1 Leave In, which is designed to draw moisture from the environment back into your hair. Leave ins are vital to helping your hair stay hydrated for longer periods of time.
5. Consistency is Key with Your Wash Day
In order to see results from your wash day routine, you must stick to it. To help you keep a consistent routine, you need to keep it as simple as you can. This will keep you from getting discouraged or giving up in the process.
Having a simple, yet complete wash day routine is the foundation that your hair health and growth is built on. In sum, when it comes to having the perfect wash day routine there are some things to consider. Be sure to take into consideration the specific needs of your hair. However, the most important thing is to use quality products and be consistent with your routine. We hope these tips helped you get one step closer to growing the hair you dreamed of!
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Brandelyn Green is the Founder of VoiceOfHair, a platform to help women of color find the best hair care products, regimens and hairstyles! Since starting VoiceOfHair in 2014 she has grown the social media platform to over 1MM+ on Instagram and Facebook. As a natural who is also a salon goer, she wanted to create a platform where people could find the best products, hairstylists, advice and trends.
