If you frequently deal with an unpleasant scalp odor or struggle with dandruff and itchiness, even after trying various shampoos without success, the issue might lie in how you wash your hair. Your hair-washing routine plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of your hair and scalp.
Dermatologist Dr. Hwang Sung-soo from South Korea once shared his hair care routine on a television program. He emphasized that keeping the hair and scalp clean is the key to preventing hair loss. Despite having a dark, thick, and voluminous head of hair, Dr. Hwang Sung-soo revealed that his family has a history of hair loss. When he entered his 20s, he started experiencing hair loss issues himself.
The doctor discovered an effective hair-washing method that helped restore the thickness and health of his hair. He often shares his unique hair washing technique, dubbed the “2.2.2 method,” which nurtures the scalp and creates an optimal environment for hair to grow stronger.
Dr. Hwang Sung-soo’s effective hair-washing method
What is the “2.2.2 method”?
Step 1: Add water to your shampoo and lather it up in your palms before applying the foam to your scalp and leaving it on for at least two minutes.
Step 2: Rinse your scalp and hair with warm water for about two minutes to ensure all the shampoo and dirt are washed away.
Step 3: Gently squeeze out the excess water from your hair, and then use a towel to blot your hair and scalp for about two minutes. Avoid pulling or twisting your hair when removing the water.
Common mistakes to avoid
To maintain a healthy scalp and hair, in addition to following the “2.2.2 method,” it’s essential to steer clear of these three common mistakes in your daily hair care routine.
– Applying shampoo directly to the scalp: Many people skip the crucial step of adding water and lathering the shampoo before applying it directly to their hair. This not only enhances the shampoo’s effectiveness but also gently cleanses the hair.
– Washing hair with hot water: While a hot shower during winter can be comforting, extremely high water temperatures can accelerate scalp aging and lead to irritation. Warm water is ideal, as it dissolves dirt, opens up the hair cuticles, and ensures shampoo penetrates each hair strand.
– Scratching the scalp with fingernails: Some women tend to use their fingernails to scratch their scalp while washing their hair, believing it helps remove dirt and excess oil. However, this habit can scratch the sensitive scalp and lead to infections. Instead, use your fingertips to gently massage and clean your scalp during the washing process.
In addition to avoiding these three mistakes, it’s important to remember the significance of blow-drying your hair after washing it. Many people tend to skip this step out of laziness, but leaving your hair damp can be detrimental to your scalp health. High temperatures and humidity create an ideal environment for bacterial growth, potentially causing an unpleasant scalp odor. Therefore, always use a blow dryer after washing your hair to keep your scalp dry and healthy. Hold the dryer about 10 to 15 cm away from your scalp and try to adjust the heat setting to avoid excessive heat, as it can damage your hair cuticles.
Once your hair and scalp are about 70% to 80% dry, you can switch to the cold air setting to help seal the hair cuticles.
Lastly, don’t forget to apply a hair care product after blow-drying to complete your styling and provide moisture to your hair, leaving it soft and shiny.
Avoid scratching your scalp with your fingernails
How often should you wash your hair?
The ideal hair-washing frequency is a controversial topic with varying opinions. Some suggest avoiding daily washing, while others recommend it. In reality, the best way to determine your ideal hair-washing frequency is to consider your scalp’s oiliness.
– Dry scalp: Wash every two to three days.
– Normal scalp: Wash every one to two days.
– Oily scalp: Wash daily.
As for whether you should shampoo twice in one washing session, it depends on your scalp’s oiliness and the amount of dirt accumulated during the day. There’s no need to shampoo twice every time.
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