Wash this way: stop the mayhem!

Is wash day doing a number on your hair?

Source: blackgirllonghair.com

1. Start with sections

Once I started washing my hair in sections, I was blown away by how quickly I could detangle afterwards. By twisting or braiding the hair, you reduce the tendency of the strands to wrap around themselves whilst being cleansed. Try it and see for yourself.

Tip: For shoulder length hair, as few as 2-4 sections will do. For longer hair, you may need to make up to 8 sections.

2. Ditch the Shampoo!

Yes, I know you've been told to shampoo your hair to really clean it ALL your life but there are methods that are just as effective - and incidentally less stripping to the hair strands.

Clay washes are now more widely available and have been used for 1,000s of years by Ancient Egyptians (even Cleopatra) and Romans to cleanse their hair and bodies. Click here to find out about Rhassoul Clay and Bentonite Clay as hair washes.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking soda can be diluted in water to work as a final clarifying rinse for hair. You can alternatively add a tablespoon of baking soda to conditioner to wash your hair with.

3. Add a CO-wash or Pre-poo

A co-wash is a conditioner-only rinse: using conditioner in lieu of shampoo to wash your hair. The benefits are that your hair will not be stripped by shampoo but will also get a boost of moisture with each application. I personally do this weekly and use a mud wash every month to clarify my strands - remove any excess buildup.

A pre-poo is a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment (if you opt to shampoo). It involves using a mixture of oils or a deep conditioner BEFORE you wash your hair to prevent all the oils from being stripped by the cleansing process. You can do this for an hour or even overnight (if you want to wash your hair first thing).

4. Detangle like a pro!

The length of your hair depends more on this one step more than any other!

First choose when you will detangle: a the beginning of the wash routine, or at the end. Will you do it on damp or dry hair (but always moisturized) or on conditioner-drenched tresses?

Next, choose a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush and start at the ends of the hair. Work in the sections you will be washing in. Slowly work your way up to the roots. Twist or braid up the section once you can comb through with relative ease.

Finally, allow hair to air-dry in that section to at least 70% dryness before trying any further detangling. Be extra careful if you are styling whilst the hair is wet.

When I started my journey, I detangled my relaxed hair when damp at the end of my wash routine (air-dried to 70%). Now I detangle under the stream of water in the shower with conditioner in my hair. Oh, and I finger detangle almost exclusively. This takes dedication, practice and patience.

What parts of your wash routine have you tweaked on your journey? What needs changing now?