Aptly titled, reverse hair washing is simply the technique of conditioning your hair first and shampooing second. It's the inverse of what you're used to doing in the shower—and may feel a bit strange at first—but comes with all sorts of potential benefits.
Angelone recommends reverse washing once every other week or even once a month—it's not something you should do every wash. “If you do it every time it's hair wash day, the conditioner can build up on the dirty hair and actually counteract the entire process,” she says.
Reverse hair washing is exactly what it sounds like. The process involves inverting the order of the haircare products you use in the shower, conditioning first and shampooing right after.
'The hair will become a lot stronger, shinier and healthier,' he told them. 'Wet the hair, then wash it twice with a non-sulphate shampoo. ' The first shampoo wash will remove dirt and residue caught up in the hair, while the second wash will help your locks benefit from the nourishing properties of the shampoo.
The reason you need to shampoo twice is that the first wash removes all the dirt (and thanks to pollution, dry shampoo and styling products, there can be an awful lot built up), and so you need to wash it again for any of the nourishing properties of the shampoo to get to work.
This is simply because oil and dirt suppress the amount of foam your shampoo creates, so the first time you wash there will be less foam since your hair has more dirt and oil on it. The second time you wash there is less oil in your hair (since it's already clean!), which also means more foam.
The technique of reverse hair washing is ideal for those with fine hair, thin hair, and oily hair and scalps. This is because it removes some of the weight and moisture of the conditioner before you begin styling.
According to Kunin, reverse washing is gentler on fine and thin hair than traditional washing “and helps remove conditioner residue from scalp.” And although there are no major side effects to reverse washing, it's important to note that it may not be the method of choice for all hair textures or types.
"Conditioning before you shampoo is great for adding nourishment to fine hair without weighing it down," says Nina Dimachki, artistic director for Kérastase. "It also promotes a longer-lasting blow-dry and primes the hair before cleansing, allowing shampoo to distribute easier and more evenly."
Reverse hair washing is also beneficial for anyone who's prone to dry, damaged ends, says Fabian Lliguin, hairstylist and co-founder of Rahua Beauty. "Regular shampooing of hair may unintentionally dry hair further, by stripping hair from oils and nutrients and in some cases even creating split ends," says Lliguin.
“When you wash your hair upside down, you're giving the root a little lift and allowing the product to spread much easier, resulting in a better cleanse.”
Depending on your hair type, you can wait three to five days between washes, and we've got the scoop on how to survive the process while you're waiting for sebum production to slow down. We'll admit, the first two weeks are the most difficult, but after about week four, you should see a significant difference.
It Adds Extra Nourishment to the Strands
Shampoo actually strips the hair of its natural oils, as some of you may already know. When you use conditioner first, it adds a protective layer to prevent this from happening. This keeps your hair hydrated and nourished as it should be.
So applying conditioner first can act in the same way, protecting the hair against chemicals in shampoos, making it harder for shampoos to penetrate. This can help persevere moisture, natural oils and even hair color. This makes the technique particularly beneficial for someone with frizzy hair.
Share on Pinterest Scalp buildup may cause itchiness. Scalp buildup occurs when an oily secretion called sebum accumulates alongside sweat, hair products, and dead skin cells on the scalp. It can have symptoms similar to those of seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, and eczema.
Greasy hair after washing may be due to a person's hair care routine, an overproduction of sebum, environmental factors, or underlying health conditions. People may be able to stop hair from becoming greasy as quickly by using a gentle clarifying shampoo and lightweight, non-greasy hair products.
But while this technique may help people with curly hair, the bad news is that it's unlikely to help achieve volume for everyone of all hair types. Marta Teixeira, Certified Trichologist at Clini Hair busts the myth that washing hair upside down helps to achieve volume.
Double shampooing is a process where you wash your hair with product twice in the same showering session. This method is especially good for women who have overly oily scalps, but dry ends. It should also be the go-to method of cleansing your hair if you tend to use a lot of styling and hair care products.
Deeply hydrating, this salon-grade no-lather shampoo gently removes buildup without stripping your hair dry. Fortified with amino acids, this shampoo locks out frizz, locks in moisture and helps strengthen hair over time. You're about to reach your full curl potential.
Overwashing, especially with harsh shampoos, can damage hair and lead to hair loss, especially when combined with chemical treatments or hair styles like tight braids that tug at the roots.
The general recommendation is to use shampoo to cleanse the hair before conditioner. Follow these steps for best results: Completely saturate your hair with warm, not hot, water. Squirt a small amount of shampoo into the palm of your hand.
Benefits of Co-Washing
The conditioner acts as a gentle cleanser as you work your natural oils into your roots. Unlike shampoo, you can condition your hair more than once a week and not worry about dryness or damage. Co-washing is also very cost-efficient.
For the average person, every other day, or every 2 to 3 days, without washing is generally fine. “There is no blanket recommendation. If hair is visibly oily, scalp is itching, or there's flaking due to dirt,” those are signs it's time to shampoo, Goh says.
Going a long time without washing your hair can cause a buildup of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia on your scalp. Over time, this leads to a layer of dead skin cells that shed from your head in the form of oily, yellow-ish dandruff flakes. Dandruff can also make your scalp red, scaly, and itchy.