5 Signs You Aren’t Washing Your Hair Properly – And What To Do About It

Like brushing teeth, hair washing is an essential part of our regular cleanliness routine.

However, once our feet pass that water-spattered threshold and we are in the sweet, sweet solitude of the shower cubicle, can we really all be trusted to diligently wash our hair properly? Or do we sometimes, dare we say it, slack off from our usual technique more often than not?

If you’re like many of us, it’s absolutely fine to admit you might not always be cleaning your hair effectively (who has the time?!). And, as this might manifest in a dry, flaky, or irritated scalp, it can feel like an endless loop of hair washing that simply never feels fresh or clean.

But have no fear, our in-house hair expert, Eva Proudman , has shared some telltale signs that your hair could be washed a little more thoroughly – and what you can do to improve the result post-shower.

@absolutecollagen Are you really washing your hair the right way? 🤔 Top Trichologist Eva is here to give you the 5 signs you're not... #hairwashing #hairhacks #hairtips #hairwash #hairgrowth #hairgrowtips ♬ original sound - absolutecollagen

Ready? Let’s talk tresses!

Sign 1: Your hair always feels oily

While it’s not many people’s first thought when shopping for hair products, we highly recommend checking the ingredients on your shampoo and conditioner bottles before purchasing.

Just like you would with good  quality moisturisers and serums , try to keep an eye on hair products which include added oils. They are particularly problematic as they pile on the greasiness rather than stripping it out as intended.

On the other hand,  active ingredients , such as tea tree or salicylic acid, help with the over-production of sebum (natural oils in the hair). Sulphates are also necessary for a properly clean scalp - but do try to find a shampoo that includes gentle sulphates if you can. Sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) is generally considered to be one of the gentlest, while sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) can irritate the scalp. 

You might also be surprised to learn that the temperature of your water could also be making your hair greasier. Hot, steaming water can stimulate oil production in your scalp, making it look oily after a shower. Instead, try turning down the heat and only use lukewarm water when washing your hair. Plus, it will save on the heating bills!

Sign 2: Your hair looks limp and lank

Have you ever wondered why on ‘good hair days’, where your hair is at its most buoyant and fresh, it’s usually the day after a thorough hair wash?

That’s because your scalp is dry, hair is relaxed, and each follicle is completely oil-free from root to tip. You’ve mastered how to shampoo properly!

However, skip those essential minutes of scalp massage and your hair might be just as oily as when you first stepped into the shower, leaving you with lank and limp hair!

Along with working up a decent lather, take the time to search for any ‘silicone’ ingredients before you get stuck in. Silicones are commonly used in hair products as they promote smoothness and a frizz-free finish. However, they do have a nasty habit of weighing down hair, making it look limp and losing its volume.

For maximum oomph from your haircare products, consider ingredients that mimic silicone but don’t deliver the same heaviness.  Collagen haircare products act as a good replacement as they produce lightweight volume and thickness for hair, while still maintaining a generous shine.

Sign 3: You have a flaky scalp

While cold weather and hormonal changes might make your scalp flakier every now and then, one reason you might experience a consistently dry scalp could be hiding closer to home: in your hairbrush.

Before we dig into the ‘why’, first let’s take a pause. When was the last time you properly cleaned your hairbrush? Last week? Last month? Maybe even last year? For many, the answer might simply be ‘never’. It looks clean, after all.

But then really think about it. Your hairbrush is on the frontline for every hair product you try. Whether that’s putting finishing touches on after a spritz of hairspray, or smoothing out a detangling spray, your hairbrush gets everything and the kitchen sink thrown at its bristles. There, bacteria, dead skin cells, and haircare oils accumulate, transferring back to your freshly washed hair.

To give your hairbrush a proper clean, regularly remove old hair and use gentle soap and warm water to rid it of all the nasties. If your bristles are very close together, you may need to use a small brush such as an (unused) toothbrush to get between the narrowest parts. Then allow the brush to air dry with the bristles facing down to avoid water collecting in the base of the brush.

Sign 4: Your scalp is pink and red

Ever wondered why your scalp looks and feels a bit sore after a shower? You might be scrubbing it a bit too much.

While the attempts to get a good lather on is a valiant attempt at a thorough wash, there is such a thing as over-doing it. Just like using harsh facial scrubs on your face, the scalp is a sensitive area and can easily become irritated and dry out if given too much TLC.

Instead, use the soft parts of your fingertips, not your fingernails, to gently massage products into your hair. And don’t forget to do the same massage technique to gently massage products out of your hair, too. This will ensure everything is washed away and nothing is left to cause product build-up after your shower.

For more on haircare dos and don’ts, take a look at Eva’s fabulous haircare myths article.

Sign 5: Your hair looks dull and lifeless

Dull hair is usually the by-product of, well, too many products. That’s because for shiny, luscious locks, your hair follicles simply must have moisture – but moisture can only go so far if there are too many haircare or styling products building up on the scalp.

To tackle this common problem, do the double. Like a double cleanse for your skin, use your normal amount of shampoo to wash out all the product build-up first. Then, use the same amount to thoroughly clean your scalp so that your hair comes out squeaky clean.

Another thing to think about is the type of water coming out of your taps. Hard water has a high mineral content and showering under it can leave mineral deposits in your hair, making it feel heavy and dull. One way to know if you have hard water is if you find it challenging to create a lather when shampooing – this can lead to you using more product than necessary.

To combat the effects of hard water, you can use chelating shampoo products which are specially formulated to remove mineral build-up. You could also try a showerhead filter to remove the minerals from your water supply before the water touches your hair.

6 simple steps: How to wash your hair properly

Now you know what might be making your hair look less than its best, we’ve turned up the positivity notch with our top tips for how to wash your hair properly. Read our six essential steps, below, for the best way to wash hair:

1. Firstly, choose a clarifying shampoo which uses gentle sulphates and no harsh chemicals.
2. Gently massage shampoo into your scalp with soft fingertips for a good, all-over lather.
3. Double up the shampoo routine if you’ve been using haircare or styling products. Remember, lather, rinse, repeat.
4. Make sure to wash every last scrap of shampoo out of your hair once you’re happy it’s clean, otherwise you will incur more product build-up.
5. Never apply conditioner to your scalp, as your skin’s natural sebum will already do that job. Instead, focus on the mid-length to the ends of your hair for extra moisture.
6. Most importantly, treat the scalp like you would the skin on your face. The human scalp has 180,000 sebaceous (oil) glands on our scalp - the most of anywhere on our body! – so take care of it and it will repay you.

Love the feeling of a ‘good hair day’? Us, too! That’s why we’re so absolutely proud of our collagen-rich shampoo and conditioner which promotes luscious locks and is free from nasty chemicals. For more in our range, take a look at our Absoluter-approved  haircare products or read our haircare FAQs for more info.