What is Hair Training? How To Train Your Tresses
Hair Training 101
Hair training is not to be confused with the “no-poo” movement, which was a shampoo-free hair care method. To clean your hair, you’d use a gentle shampoo alternative such as baking soda, apple cider vinegar, or the gentlest of all cleaners: water. The “no-poo” method has benefits and drawbacks, but that is not the topic of today’s discussion. Shampooing your hair removes natural oils from the scalp, forcing your scalp to produce more oil, according to hair training theory. What a perplexing and unpredictable cycle. You’ll be able to harness the use of those natural oils over time if you can train your hair to go longer between washes, laying a healthy foundation for your hair growth.
We’ll cover some tips and even a step-by-step guide for wash day and the days in between, no matter your hair type. We do want to emphasize that this is not a one-size-fits-all solution, just like any other skin or hair care routine. Consider this to be the beginning of a new way of life. Always do your research on the ingredients in the products you use, and remember that what works for someone else might not work for you. Maintain an open mind and enjoy experimenting with new products. That brings joy to our Houston Hair Salon!
What is Hair Training?
“Hair training” or “scalp training” is the process of “training” your hair to only need to be washed once a week or never. According to the theory, the additives in traditional shampoos dry out strands, so reducing how often you wash your hair will restore it to its natural, healthy state. Hair training aims to reduce oiliness in the hair, as well as the scalp.
The Science Behind "Hair Training"
Buildup is a major issue for the majority of us. The products we use, as well as natural sebum (oil) on the scalp, cause a buildup that is absorbed by the hair strands. Itchy scalp and flaky patches near the scalp or hair root are most likely the result of product buildup or excessive oil production. Each hair follicle contains a gland called the sebaceous gland, which secretes sebum onto the scalp. As a result, you can think of it as a small factory that produces a natural conditioning treatment on a continuous basis. Every time you shampoo your hair, you’re causing that factory’s supply to replenish. More oil is produced to replace what is washed away as your hair and scalp are cleansed.
If you’re used to shampooing every day but want to experiment with skipping a few days, start slowly. If you only wash your hair once or twice a week, you’ll soon find yourself drowning in greasy hair. It’s best if you take it one day at a time. Wash every other day for a few weeks before gradually increasing to every third, fourth, and fifth day.
Use a Sulfate-Free Shampoo To Wash Your Hair.
Sulfates, which are sudsy detergents that can overclean and dry out your scalp, are found in most shampoos. After the first few uses of a sulfate shampoo, your hair may feel squeaky clean, but your scalp may overproduce oil to compensate for the dryness. Use gentle, sulfate-free shampoo formulas to cleanse your strands without stripping your scalp or hair of essential oils for strong, healthy hair to keep greasiness to a minimum. Anything clarifying will help you control oil and make your wash last longer.
It’s important to remember that the pH of the shampoo (with or without sulfates) is important to consider if you’re trying to avoid stripping your hair. Make sure the shampoo has a pH of 5.5 or less; this will prevent the hair from becoming too dry after it’s been rinsed out, and the scalp from overproducing oil to compensate.
Between Washes, Use Dry Shampoo
If you can’t imagine not washing your hair for a day because your strands have accumulated far too much oil, resist the urge. The less you wash your hair, the better, even if it seems counterintuitive. Instead of using an aimless spray of dry shampoo, try this: To ensure your entire head is covered, spray the product at the roots of your hair in small sections from ear to ear.
Use dry shampoo right after you’ve washed your hair if your roots become excessively greasy. Apply dry shampoo directly to your roots after a fresh blowout so that as the hours pass and your scalp begins to produce oil, the dry shampoo will start working right away to combat that oil. Reapply as needed over the next few days to keep the oil at bay and your blowout looking brand new.
Use A Textured Spray
Dry shampoo, as wonderful as it is, can harm certain hair types more than it helps. If your hair is oily all the time, avoid over-dry shampooing. It’s easy to revive hair on day two or three without adding too much oil with textured spray.
Get A Scalp Cleansing Treatment At The Salon
A scalp cleansing treatment can help if your scalp feels like it needs a little extra love and attention. You can either have a scalp treatment at your next hair appointment at your favorite Houston salon.
Wear Your Hair Up
Your roots may start to look dirty around day three, depending on your hair type, but that’s fine. The beauty is that you can use the grease to create carefree ‘dos. These styles are stylish but purposefully unkempt, so a little grease and texture from dry shampoo will only enhance them. On the day before a wash, work with the grease rather than against it, and try a slick-back wet look. To do so, mix equal parts gel and cream to make a styling balm that has a soft, touchable hold, then rake the product through your hair with your fingers. No one will be able to tell that it wasn’t clean to begin with.
Cut Back On Blow Drying
Blow-drying your hair too much, believe it or not, can cause your hair to produce excess grease, so try letting it air-dry instead. Although air-drying takes time, there are ways to speed up the process. We recommend using a leave-in conditioner on your ends instead of an oil after washing because it keeps your hair looking fresh while reducing the amount of time it takes to dry. Touching your hair too much before it’s dry can cause frizz, especially if it’s wavy or curly, so apply your products and leave it alone until it’s completely dry.
Brush That Hair Queen
Brushing our hair should be second nature to all of us, but you may not realize why. Brushing your hair removes knots and snags while also exfoliating your scalp and distributing oils to the ends of your hair. We’ve already discussed how your follicles produce hair-nourishing oils, but they’ll stay at the scalp if we don’t work them down to the ends. Brush your hair with a good hair bristle brush morning and night, concentrating on your scalp. You’ll be astounded by the gleam you’ll unlock in your strands.’
Heat Styling
If you’re reducing your shampooing but still want to avoid excessive oil buildup, we recommend limiting your heat styling as much as possible. Heat promotes the production of oil, so if it comes into contact with your scalp, it will be a trigger. If heat styling isn’t an option for you, a good dry shampoo can help you stretch out the time between washes while also adding volume.
You should also make sure you’re applying dry shampoo correctly and on time: Apply it on day two or three, while your hair is still clean. It won’t work if you wait until your hair is already too greasy. If your scalp and crown area become greasy between washes, simply spray and massage a little onto your scalp, being careful not to get it on your ends.
Remember that dry shampoo isn’t a substitute for shampoo (you’ll have to wash your hair again at some point).
Hair Training & Hair Color
We advise people who dye their hair not to shampoo daily or too often because color-treated hair tends to be drier. Most women who color their hair don’t shampoo as frequently as they should because they want to keep their color.
Visit Our Houston Hair Salon
“Hair training” is clearly not for everyone. However, there are ways to keep greasy hair at bay without harming or drying out your hair. It’s all about developing a routine and finding products that are right for you. if you need help book an appointment today!
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