Let me give it to you straight - there’s a right way and a wrong way to shampoo curly hair, and understanding how to do it correctly can make a huge difference in your hair’s health. Improper shampooing can cause a myriad of problems, including dryness, scalp irritation, excessive tangling, and more. Thankfully, you’re in the right place. In this article, I’ll explain exactly how to shampoo curly hair the right way and highlight common mistakes to avoid.
Note: This guide will be most helpful to those with the following hair types: 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, and 4C.
1. Set The Water to the Right Temperature
As relaxing as a steamy shower is, when it comes to shampooing curls, the last thing you should do is crank your water up to a sky-high temperature.
If the water is hot enough to produce steam, that’s a clear sign that you need to reduce the temp.
The thing you need to remember about curls is that they are already prone to dryness, and hot water can make the problem worse. It strips the moisture (and life) from your mane just like a harsh shampoo can. So, do yourself a favor and set the temperature to lukewarm.
2. Section Your Hair
Do you have thick, long, or super tight curls (4A to 4C)? If so, I strongly urge you not to skip sectioning.
There’s no need to tackle all your hair at once.
Sectioning your hair will make it easier to get a thorough clean. For the best results, section your hair into 2 to 4 sections and secure each one with an ouchless elastic or a large clip. Use your hands or a wide tooth comb to do the parting.
You’re going to shampoo your hair one section at a time.
3. Choose a Section and Wet it Down
In order for the shampoo to work at its full capacity, choose a section and wet it down until it’s dripping. If your hair is merely damp, the shampoo won’t perform as well as it would otherwise.
If your hair takes a while to get wet (which is normal for low-porosity hair), that’s okay. Take your time and allow water to run on the section until it's drenched.
Shampooing semi-dry hair never helped anyone. It’s a surefire way to leave gunk behind.
4. Apply the Shampoo to the Roots of the Section
Many of us were taught to apply shampoo all over our head - it’s something that people with straight hair do in commercials, movies, etc. But it’s a no-no for curls. And for a long time, I was guilty of making this shampooing mistake.
The vast majority of product buildup, excess oils, and other nasties show up at your roots. Add that to the fact that your ends are the driest, most finicky part of your hair. Plus, your scalp needs exfoliating to remain healthy and ward off clogged hair follicles, scalp itch, and more. So, it’s best in general to apply the shampoo to your roots.
And this tip isn't unfounded - more and more people are realizing the benefits of focusing shampoo on your roots. There are even products dedicated to root-only shampooing.
Pro tip: To get the shampoo right where you want it, hold the ends of the section taut without pulling and then apply the shampoo accordingly. If you need to part the section with your fingers to get a more even application, do that.
5. Gently Scrub Your Roots and Scalp
Let me say it again for the people in the back - gently scrub your roots and scalp.
As a little girl, I hated getting my hair washed at the beauty shop. There was a salon assistant there who had the heaviest hands. She would go to town on my scalp with her nails at high speed, scrubbing as if her life depended on it. My scalp would be red and raw after one shampoo round, and then she had the nerve to go back for round two. I didn’t know better then, and didn’t exactly know how to advocate for myself, but thankfully I know now.
Do yourself and your scalp a favor and be gentle while scrubbing the shampoo in.
Make small circular motions with the pads of your fingers - not your nails - and hold the ends of your hair taut with your other hand as you scrub. Doing so will allow you to cleanse your hair without causing tangles. Seconds before moving to the next section, gently smooth the shampoo down the length of your hair with your fingers (again, be careful not to use your nails).
6. Rinse the Section Thoroughly
No matter how gentle your shampoo might be, it shouldn't be left in your hair. Once you’ve scrubbed the shampoo in and pulled it down the length of your strands at the last minute, rinse the section thoroughly. The water should be lukewarm or colder for this step.
7. Repeat the Process on the Rest of the Sections
When you’re done washing one of the sections, clip it up and move on to the next one. Clipping the hair up will keep it out of the way as you move on to the next one. In the beginning, washing your hair in sections may be annoying, but its effectiveness makes it 100% worth it. And you’ll get used to the process before long.
8. Replenish the Moisture
Shampoos, with the exception of cowashes, will often leave your hair thirsty for moisture. So be sure to condition or deep condition afterward to give it what it needs. To learn about which conditioner type to use and how to get the most out of your conditioning session, read my all-encompassing guide on caring for natural hair. There’s some really good stuff in there.
Now You Know How to Shampoo Curly Hair
So, there you have it - how to shampoo curly hair the right way. If you follow the above tips, you’ll be able to effectively cleanse your curls without compromising the health of your hair or scalp. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to leave them in the comments!
Happy journey!
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