Things You'll Need:
- Shampoo (preferably sulfate-free)
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Step 1
Pick the right Shampoo Product.
Before washing, you need to be sure you have the right shampoo product for you hair. Think about what your hair needs and write it down. Is your hair dry? Look into a moisturizing shampoo product. Do you have dandruff? Pick a shampoo product for dry scalp. After you complete the list, search Google for a shampoo product that can fulfill all your hair's needs. For more information on this, Check out the article "How to choose the best African-American Hair Care Products" (see resources). -
Step 2
Develop a washing routine.
You need to decide how often you will shampoo your hair. African-American hair does not need to be washed as frequently because it does not produce it's own oils. However, this depends greatly on how your hair behaves, and how often you partake in physical activities. For example, if you work out or play a sport regularly, you may need to shampoo your hair more often. I would recommend shampooing the hair with a quality shampoo product at least once week. Keeping the scalp clean will promote hair growth and healthy hair. -
Step 3
Now that you've completed steps one and two, it's time to actually shampoo your hair. First wet your entire head with warm water. Make sure your hair is completely soaked before you apply your shampoo product.
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Step 4
Next, apply your shampoo product. This is the most important step. When shampooing, you need to remember that you are concentrating on cleaning your SCALP. Try your hardest to apply your shampoo product directly on your scalp. Avoid placing the shampoo product directly to the ends of your hair. Too much shampoo can be damaging and drying to the ends of your hair. Don't worry, the rest of your hair will still get clean; the shampoo from your scalp will naturally slide down the strand to the ends of your hair.
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Step 5
Lather up, but not too much!
The next step is too scrub your scalp with the shampoo product to get it clean. I'm sure you are used to seeing pictures of women piling all their hair on top of their head with mounds of lathered shampoo. This is the absolute wrong way! Remember, you should only be scrubbing your scalp, the rest of your hair will get clean as the shampoo product slides down the strand. Lather your hair, but not too much! Scrub your scalp, but not too hard! -
Step 6
Rinse, and repeat.
Rinse all of the shampoo product out of your hair, and repeat steps 3-5 again. The more lather your shampoo product creates, the cleaner your hair is. I would recommend washing at least 3 times, or until you get a rich, foamy lather. -
Step 7
Remember, always condition.
Once you are done washing and your hair is squeaky clean, condition it! Don't forget this step it is one of the most important. Shampooing the hair strips it of moisture. Conditioning your hair will add moisture back.
