Reverse Hair Washing: Have We Been Washing Our Hair Wrong?

If we were asked how to wash our hair, the answer would be very simple. Wet the hair, apply shampoo, lather it up, rinse, apply conditioner, and rinse again. And our hair would feel clean, fresh, soft, and smooth. Easy to brush and presentable to the public. In short, a simple answer to a simple question.

But what if this answer is wrong?

Because recently, we have discovered a new way of washing our hair. One that might spark controversy, but should be tried by everyone. At least once. And that is reverse hair washing.

What is Reverse Hair Washing?

Reverse hair washing involves washing your hair the same way but in a different order. Here, you apply conditioner to your hair first, wash it off and then apply shampoo. This way, any residue that’s left on the scalp by the conditioner is removed, and the hair is not weighed down.

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How is it better than regular hair washing?

Reverse hair washing, despite its strangeness, has benefits that prove it is better than regular hair washing. And some of the benefits outweigh those of regular hair washing.

  1. The conditioner makes your hair better

Applying conditioner may seem weird and controversial in this method, but it’s actually for a reason. The conditioner creates a barrier for your hair and scalp. That barrier prevents your hair’s natural oils from being washed away. And from preventing damage to your follicles from shampoos that tend to be very harsh.

  1. A good alternative to applying hair masks

Hair masks are really nice, and one should apply once in a while. But if the hair is very long, then reverse hair washing is a good alternative, as the amount of conditioner used can be easily managed. The conditioner will not weigh your hair down and the shampoo applied will wash off the conditioner easily. Hence, it’s a hassle-free way of treating your hair.

  1. Your hair will be hydrated and repaired

Thanks to the conditioner, your hair follicles will be healthier, smoother, and improve their texture. For those who have fine hair, it will even give extra volume to it.

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The correct method to do reverse hair washing

  • Start by wetting your hair thoroughly.
  • Now, apply conditioner from the scalp to the ends of your strand. Concentrate on the bottom two-thirds of your hair, that needs the most attention.
  • Massage thoroughly or comb through so the conditioner is evenly distributed and your hair gets its essential nutrients.
  • Leave on the conditioner for about 4-5 minutes. Then wash it off.
  • Now apply the shampoo. But not too much; the shampoo on your hand should be slightly less than the amount usually applied. This way, the hair is washed off, but will not remove the nutrients from the conditioner.
  • Rinse off with warm water.

How often should you reverse hair wash?

Experts point out that while it’s not a bad method, one should always keep the hair type and texture in mind. Ideally, it should be used once or twice a week. But if it is suitable for some people, then they can use it as regularly as they wish. But it is something you should try. At least once!

Is reverse hair washing suitable for your hair?

There is still some debate on the overall effectiveness of this method. As it is not only a bot whacky, it may not quite give the same results to everyone.

While reverse hair washing will be good for your scalp as it provides nutrients and moisture to it, the hair strands are another story.

For those who have fine or thin hair, reverse hair washing may be good as the conditioner will help create volume and strength for your follicles and strands.

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But for those with thick or coarse hair, it can be problematic. As the nutrients of the conditioner are washed off, it will make the hair very unmanageable and rough once again. For these hair types, the typical method is best.

Also, while we mentioned that it can be a good alternative for a hair mask, it still does not replace professional hair treatments. Hence, don’t use this method as a way of replacing the hair treatments that will treat your hair the way it does.

But as we stated, there is still a debate. So we recommend you see for yourself how effective it is. If it works for you, then go for it.

Filed under: Makeup & Hair, Tips and Myths


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