Healthy hair is a result of following the proper hair care rituals. From preparing your hair to applying conditioner after the wash, each step matters. Lathering up your hair roughly or drying your hair too quickly can leave you with dull hair. Bhavya Sharma, beauty expert at UrbanClap.com, and Ragini Bharatram, founder, Beauty Source, show you the right way to wash hair:

Prepare your hair

Oil your hair two to three hours beforehand. An oil massage opens pores and enables better absorption of oil nutrients. Oil your hair from roots to tips and don’t massage too hard. You can use coconut, mustard or olive oil and even a combination for your pre-shampooing routine.

Rinse gently

Start by rinsing your hair with lukewarm water. This will remove extra oil from hair and scalp and wash off dry skin on the scalp. It will further help open the cuticles and soften the hair. When rinsing, keep in mind to not start rubbing hair immediately but wait for your hair to be soaking wet.

Shampoo your hair

Choosing the right shampoo is important if you want your hair’s natural shine and moisture to stay intact. For dry and damaged hair, it’s best to opt for sulfate and paraben-free shampoo. Whereas for thin hair, go for a volumising shampoo. In any case, avoid shampoo with synthetic ingredients so that your hair doesn’t get damaged. Don’t rinse off the shampoo with warm water.

Apply conditioner

Hair conditioner is applied after you have rinsed out the shampoo completely. It helps in retaining moisture and binding hair cuticles. Apply it evenly along the length of hair (but not the scalp). Leave it on for a minute or so and then rinse it off with cold water.

Other tips to keep in mind:

–        Wash your hair with lukewarm water as hot water can damage your hair.

–        Apply a conditioning mask once a week — a hair mask can offer deeper hydration and repair, leaving hair lush and shiny.

–        Take a small amount of shampoo and work it up to lather. Start from the scalp and gently move on to the body straight down to the tip.

–        Let your hair dry gradually. The best way is to take a towel and wrap it around your head and soak all the extra water.

–        Understand your hair type. Go to a professional if need be and find out if you have a combination scalp, an oily one or the one that is prone to dryness.