Washing your hair may feel like a straightforward task—rinse, shampoo, rinse, condition, rinse again—but the way you clean your scalp can dramatically change the appearance of your hair. You can even target your routine with goals in mind (Italian-style washing focuses on strength!).
Recently, I learned about the Chinese philosophy behind washing your hair. Chinese philospher Confucius said, “Our bodies—to every hair and bit of skin—are received by us from our parents, and we must not presume to injure or wound them.” This concept has been carried through the centuries. Hair is also associated with good fortune, which is why there’s a tradition of not washing your hair during the Chinese New Year, to avoid rinsing luck away.
With all of this context, it’s no surprise that Chinese women have a fabulously lengthy hair-care routine. We walk you through it, with the goal of visibly healthier, longer, shinier, and softer-to-the-touch hair, below.
Many of these hair-care practices have piqued our curiosity. Among them, one stands out in particular: the Chinese head spa, a technique practiced in Chinese beauty salons that makes us rethink the steps we all take for granted when washing our hair. This method combines acupressure massages, herbal infusions, and a steam bath or waterfall to promote circulation and relaxation, while focusing on cleansing and moisturizing the hair and scalp.
The result? A hair-washing ritual unlike anything we’re used to, where the goal is to achieve visibly healthier, longer, shinier, and softer-to-the-touch hair. That’s why we’re sharing how you can incorporate it into your routine in six simple steps.
The 6-Step Chinese Technique for Washing Your Hair
The pre-wash process is just as important as the wash itself. The Chinese technique suggests carefully dry-brushing the scalp with a soft-bristled brush to remove product buildup and anything else that has accumulated since you’re last wash (dead skin cells, sweat, et cetera). This can also help with detangling your hair while it’s still dry, which will cause less breakage.
The key is to do this gently without applying too much pressure, which could cause harm.
The Dry Brush
Dry Brush
Although the second step seems obvious, the key is in the details: Wet your hair with lukewarm water—not scalding-hot!—and thoroughly saturate. Paying attention to the water temperature is essential, and while many people may think cold water is the best option, it’s recommended to use a mild, comfortable temperature.
Warm water helps remove excess oil and makes it easier to clean the scalp, while avoiding water that’s too hot helps prevent dryness and irritation.
One of the essential steps in this technique is how you shampoo. The product should be concentrated at the roots and on the scalp, which ensures a deep cleanse without unnecessarily drying out the ends.
To wash your hair, work shampoo through the roots with a massaging technique. Take a few moments to really massage your scalp with your fingertips using circular motions (and be wary of scratching with nails). This turns cleansing into a moment of pure relaxation while the massage helps stimulate blood circulation in the scalp, promoting hair growth.
Repeat this step twice: The first wash will help remove excess oil and residue from hair products, while the second will provide a deeper cleanse. Don’t forget to rinse with warm water when you’re finished.
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Chinese herbal treatment at the roots
Although experts have long recommended applying conditioners from the midlengths to the ends, there are tonics and treatments specifically designed for the scalp. Traditional Chinese medicine particularly values ingredients such as ginseng and ginger, which are used in various formulations—from oils to conditioners—for hair care, offering benefits such as promoting hair growth, delaying the appearance of gray hair, preventing hair loss, and strengthening the hair.
To get the most out of their properties, apply them directly to the roots and massage gently for two to three minutes. Then, let them sit for the amount of time indicated on the product packaging.
At the same time, apply conditioner from the mid-shaft to the ends.
Steam bath or waterfall treatment
To ensure the nutrients penetrate the scalp properly, you’re going to let the tonic-conditioner combination marinate on your hair. Expose the hair to a steam bath—also known as a water halo—for a few minutes. The heat and humidity will open the hair follicles, allowing for maximum absorption; help soften the hair shaft; and promote elasticity.
It’s important to pay attention to both duration and temperature: The treatment should never feel too hot or cause discomfort. You can also apply a mask to protect the ends afterward, especially if you have dry or damaged hair.
To finish, rinse with cool or cold water—as long as it’s comfortable and tolerable—to help remove the last traces of product. This will close the hair cuticle, add incredible shine by smoothing the outer layer of the hair, and prevent frizz by keeping out external moisture.
Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
Source: www.vogue.com
