How To Simplify Wash Day | Birchbox

Wash day can be extremely complicated. What steps are required to properly wash your hair?

Wash day should not be a complicated process. Yes, its true that natural hair requires tender love and care but with the right knowledge your wash day should be easier. There is no one size fits all for when it comes to washing your hair. The process is different for everyone, even if you have the same hair type you do not have the same hair behavior.

Your wash routine depends on some factors; your lifestyle, pre-existing hair, scalp conditions, your curl pattern, low or high porosity, length and thickness density. Speak to your hairstylist about your hair, get accurate knowledge and get help with establishing a good hair wash routine or regime that works for your hair type and scalp textures.

Here are some basic guidelines for wash day:
- Detangling
To begin, part your hair in four sections, especially if its longer than 6 inches. Next, dampen the hair using water and conditioner in a spray bottle. Saturate your hair and spread from root to end detangling with your hands, or use a wide-tooth comb.

• Cleanse
  Use a mild clarifying shampoo or a gentle sulfate-free shampoo for your first wash to rid of any build-up on the scalp. Second shampoo should be a moisturizing/Hydrating shampoo.
• Conditioner
  You can choose to sit with your conditioner with a shower cap on for 15 mins or you can disperse conditioner throughout hair, detangle and rinse properly with cool water and style.

Does the same process work for everyone with Type 4 hair? For example, does it work for people with 4B & 4C hair?

Again, its not only the hair type that plays a part in wash day. Speak to your haircare professional, ask the right questions about your hair, share details about your lifestyle and with all this information, they will help you choose the right products and techniques for your hair wash. Some hair needs to be washed weekly, some every two weeks. Listen to your hair and scalp.

Why is it important to focus on cleansing the scalp?

Its important to focus on cleansing the scalp because this is where your hair grows. In order to have the healthiest, strongest hair possible it should grow from a scalp free of build-up. Build-up can be dead skin cells, old product and excess sebum. If you dont clean your scalp you can encourage future challenges such as hair loss, itchy and flaky scalp.

Use scalp friendly products daily such as the right shampoo and conditioner for your specific scalp and hair condition. Only use a scalp detox once a week if you have scalp issues, if not once or twice a month is fine to help balance nutrients, hygiene, repairing damaged skin tissue and in restoring much-needed moisture to the scalp.

What are your holy grail hair tools to use during your wash day process?

Some of the holy grail tools for the wash day process include:

• Step 1: Find your tool for detangling. It can be a Denman brush, wide tooth comb or a tangle teaser.
• Step 2: Next is using a spray bottle mix water and your favorite conditioner and generously wet your hair.
• Step 3: Use a shower after applying your conditioner for a treatment.
• Step 4: Hair clipsperfect for sectioning and holding your hair in place when detangling hair before shampooing.

Check out some of our favorite wash day products below!