A stylist's guide to shampooing for a clean scalp | ONSENSOU
A stylist's guide to shampooing for a clean scalp | ONSENSOU
Key points
- Pre-rinse, lather, massage-wash and a thorough rinse — these four steps are the basics.
- Spending twice as long rinsing as washing is the knack for keeping the scalp environment in good order.
- The ONSENSOU Beppu hot spring algae shampoo washes with a fine, close lather while adding moisture to the scalp.
In brief : A stylist’s guide to shampooing properly: pre-rinse, lather, massage-wash and a thorough rinse — spending twice as long rinsing as washing keeps the scalp in good order. ONSENSOU’s Beppu hot spring algae shampoo lathers finely while adding moisture to the scalp.
Shampooing is something most of us do without much thought every day — but are you washing the right way? Keeping the scalp clean is the first step in laying the groundwork for hair that looks its best. Here we set out, step by step, how to shampoo properly using the ONSENSOU Beppu hot spring algae shampoo. Ranked #1 in the Scalp Care category of the @cosme user review ranking (survey period: 1 September – 30 November 2019; iStyle Inc.). The ranking reflects the number of user reviews.
Why the pre-rinse before shampoo matters
Eighty per cent of a good shampoo, it is said, is settled at the pre-rinse. The pre-rinse is the step of washing hair and scalp with lukewarm water alone, before any shampoo goes on.
A proper pre-rinse clears away most of the dust and grime clinging to hair and scalp. Use lukewarm water at around 38–40°C and rinse carefully for two to three minutes, massaging the scalp gently with the pads of your fingers.
Done carefully, this step makes the shampoo lather far better, so even a small amount reaches the whole scalp. With a proper pre-rinse behind it, the ONSENSOU Beppu hot spring algae shampoo gives you its full, generous lather and the most of what the hot spring algae extract has to offer.
How to wash so the scalp stays clean
Once the pre-rinse is done, it is the shampoo's turn. Take the right amount in your hand, work up a light lather in your palms first, then spread it through the hair.
The point when washing is to think of it as washing the scalp rather than the hair. Use the pads of your fingers and wash as though massaging the scalp gently. Digging in with your nails can damage the scalp, so always use the finger pads.
Work from the nape upwards towards the crown. Pay particular care to the places where grime gathers, such as behind the ears and along the hairline. The fine lather of the ONSENSOU Beppu hot spring algae shampoo reaches every corner of the scalp, adding moisture while keeping it clean.
Without pressing too hard, at a pressure that feels pleasant, wash in small circles as though massaging; this puts the scalp environment in good order. Take around two to three minutes over the wash itself.
Rinse for twice as long as you wash
The most important step in shampooing is the rinse. However carefully you wash, an inadequate rinse leaves the scalp unsettled.
Aim to spend twice as long rinsing as washing — around four to five minutes. Bring the shower head close to the scalp and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, moving the scalp with the pads of your fingers as you go.
Behind the ears, the nape and the hairline deserve particular attention. These are the places where shampoo is most often left behind, so rinse them deliberately and carefully. Part the hair and rinse right down to the scalp, not just over the surface of the hair.
The ONSENSOU Beppu hot spring algae shampoo is formulated to rinse out easily, but a careful rinse is still what keeps the scalp clean. When you think you have done enough, carry on for another minute.
What you do after shampooing makes the difference
What you do after shampooing matters too for keeping the scalp clean. When towel-drying, do not rub hard; hold the hair between the towel and blot the water away gently.
Wet hair has an open cuticle and damages easily, so handle it with care. Do the same for the scalp: press the towel against it to take up the water.
When you use a dryer, dry the scalp first. Leaving the scalp wet lets its environment go out of order. Hold the dryer around 15–20cm from the scalp, and alternate between warm and cool air as you dry.
Take the scalp environment you have kept clean with the ONSENSOU Beppu hot spring algae shampoo, and settle it further with the right aftercare. Drying fully keeps it clean for longer.
How often you shampoo matters as well. Adjust it to the state of your scalp and to the season, and avoid washing to excess. Once a day, at bath time in the evening, is the basic pattern, though in a season when you sweat easily, or after exercise, it is worth adjusting to suit.
Frequently asked questions
QHow many times a day should I shampoo?
AOnce a day is generally enough. Washing twice, morning and evening, can rinse away moisture the scalp needs. Aim to clear away the day's grime at bath time in the evening. On a day when you have sweated a great deal, a pre-rinse with lukewarm water alone is enough to keep things clean.
QHow much shampoo should I use?
AIt depends on the length of your hair, but as a guide: one pump for short hair, one and a half to two for medium, and two to three for long. A proper pre-rinse improves the lather, so a small amount washes well enough. The ONSENSOU Beppu hot spring algae shampoo lathers readily, so start with less than you think.
QMorning or evening — which is the better time to shampoo?
AEvening is what we would suggest. Going to bed having cleared away the day's grime and styling product keeps the scalp clean. In the morning there is rarely time, and the rinse tends to be inadequate. Sleeping with the scalp properly washed and clean also matters for keeping its environment in good order.
QIs it all right to shampoo every day?
AWashed the right way, shampooing every day is no problem. If anything, daily washing is what is recommended for keeping the scalp clean. That said, scrubbing too hard or using hot water puts a strain on it, so wash gently and carefully. The ONSENSOU Beppu hot spring algae shampoo adds moisture as it washes, which makes it well suited to daily care.
QIs brushing before shampoo necessary?
ABrushing before you shampoo is very effective. It works out the tangles and lifts the grime and dust sitting on the surface. Brushing gently from the scalp towards the ends makes the pre-rinse work better and improves the lather. For anyone with long hair in particular, it is a step worth making a habit of.
