by claire coshan

Created on: October 13, 2010

Women spend a lot of time and money choosing their shampoo and conditioners. But very few of them know how to use them effectively. Shampoo and conditioner are the tow most basic elements of hair care but if you know how to use them properly you can get more out of them than you might think.

If you have problems with your hair such as dryness or oiliness then experts recommend that you pay more attention to the shampoo you choose than your conditioner. For example if you use normal shampoo on dry hair then your conditioner will have to work harder to protect your hair.

Think carefully about your hair type and be sure to choose a shampoo and conditioner that are appropriate for it.

When you shampoo your hair you need to be careful. Wet hair is incredibly fragile and so when it is wet you need to try and minimise the movement as much as possible. 

Always brush your hair before you wash it, it doesn't matter whether your hair is long or short. Brushing your hair before you wash it will make sure that any tangles are removed. This means that the conditioner will not have to work so hard to untangle the hair and it can concentrate on penetrating the hair more deeply.

Thoroughly wet your hair with warm water and pour a small amount of shampoo into the palms of your hands. Smooth it over your hair and gently massage it into the scalp and temples with your fingertips. Be gentle and do not scrub or pull at your hair. 

Leave the shampoo in your hair for a few minutes and then rinse it out. Let the water run over your hair and rinse it out. Gently move your hair to ensure that all of the shampoo is rinsed out. 

Remove the excess water from your hair by gently squeezing it and wrapping it in a towel for a few minutes. Then apply your conditioner. If you apply your conditioner to your hair whilst it is very wet then it will dilute it making it less effective. Apply your conditioner by smoothing it over the hair and then gently massaging it in with your fingertips. 

Leave it on for as long as possible before rinsing it off. This will give it the chance to penetrate the hair deeply. If possible you should leave the conditioner in your hair for at least half an hour once a week. This will make your hair smooth and soft.

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