Hair in general needs a lot of pampering to be healthy and beautiful, and although there are routines that we carry out frequently, such as washing our hair, on many occasions we rush and follow the established pattern. And precisely the repeated use of shampoos, especially if they have sulfates, can also drag away the natural oils that nourish the hair and give way to dry, dull hair.
What we can do to prevent this from happening is to change the order of hair washing a little and carry out what is known as reverse washing or pre-washing, which consists of first applying hydration and then moving on to cleansing.
What is reverse washing?
Prewashing or reverse washing is a very simple hair technique that does not pose any headaches to carry out. What you have to do is use the conditioner first, let it act for a few minutes, and then move on to using the shampoo as we normally would.
The idea of reverse washing is that first the hair is thoroughly soaked in hydration and at the same time is protected. In this way, the shampoo we use afterwards will not be aggressive for the hair fiber, the cleaning agents will simply do their job, dragging away the dirt, grease and remains of the conditioner but without drying out or damaging it.
According to pharmacist Helena Rodero (@helena.rodero), an expert in hair care, this way of washing hair is a way to protect hair during frequent washing. “What do we do if we want to wash our hair frequently, besides just rubbing the scalp? Protect the hair first with a conditioner,” he explains.
By reversing the order of the products, what is achieved is a protective shield that those who wash their hair very frequently or every day will greatly appreciate. This simple change makes a big difference, because we can properly clean the hair but prevent the shampoo from penetrating the hair fiber and taking away all the natural nutrition in its wake.
Reverse washing can also be done with other products
Although we have talked about conditioner to carry out this technique, it is true that it is not the only product that can be used. You can also use masks and even oils that work very well for this purpose. In this case, as experts recommend, it is better to apply any of these products to dry hair, this way the treatment will act more deeply.
To do it correctly and obtain the best results, Rodero explains how to do it. “Before you get in the shower, you put your conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends and immediately get in the shower to wash your hair, rinse everything and then reapply the conditioner.”
In short, the ideal is to apply the dry conditioner before washing the hair, then we would wash the hair with the shampoo and finish with another little bit of conditioner as we usually do.
Benefits of reverse washing
Without a doubt, those who will benefit the most from washing their hair in this way are dry or damaged hair, or those who wash their hair a lot due to their lifestyle. But it is also a beneficial method for all hair types, since at the end of the day, the conditioner applied before will act as a protector and that is good for all hair types.
But beyond the protective action, reverse washing helps a lot to improve hair texture, making it softer, shinier and silkier. And of course more manageable, something that women over 50 will greatly appreciate, because as we well know, with the passage of time, hair does not seem to settle in the same way.
