Why Japanese women wash their hair differently: a step-by-step guide to shiny hair

It's all about how they wash their hair.

Philosophy of the method

In Japan, washing your hair is not a five-minute procedure, but a real philosophy of beauty. The emphasis here is shifted from the hair to the scalp. After all, if the roots are healthy, the hair will be beautiful, shiny and strong.

Japanese women actively use massage brushes and oils to wash their hair and spare no time for the procedure. This stimulates metabolic processes in the scalp, moisturizes and restores hair.

Curls become more manageable, strong and elastic. Each stage is a meditative process that allows you to “ground yourself” and finally breathe after a hard day's work. No rush.

Not the last place is given to choosing the right cosmetics. Here, mild products with caring formulas prevail.

Step 1. Comb your hair

The beauty session begins even before your hair comes into contact with water. This stage is often overlooked, but it’s not worth it: you need to thoroughly comb your curls with a wide brush with natural bristles, moving from the ends to the roots. This helps to detangle your hair and at the same time gently massage your scalp.

Stage 2. Massage the scalp with oil

In the next stage, shampoo is also not used. First (if you are not prone to oily or seborrhea) – massage the scalp with natural oils. Thick or heavily soiled hair can be pre-moistened with warm water. You will need soft silicone brushes (the sensations from them are simply incredible, even the orphans stand out!) and camellia oil.

Massage cleanses the skin, nourishes and moisturizes it, stimulates blood circulation, and over time normalizes sebum production, which improves hair health and growth.

Start massaging from the back of your head upwards.

Step 3. Rinse your hair with warm water.

Now you can start the water treatments. You need to not just wet your hair a little, but rinse it well. This way you will remove excess oil, wash away a significant part of the dirt and styling products.

This will help the shampoo work better and you will need much less of it. The water should not be hot so as not to overdry the skin.

Stage 4. Apply shampoo in two stages

To thoroughly cleanse your hair, you don't necessarily need to use a “strong” shampoo with aggressive detergent ingredients. Use a quality product that is specifically suited to your scalp type to cleanse well but not overdry it.

And be sure to try the famous “foam pillow” technique used by Japanese women: not on your head, but in your palms with a small amount of water. This does not damage your hair or overdry it.

Apply the foam only to the scalp and massage lightly with your fingers. Movements: from the periphery to the crown and back, following the lines of lymph flow.

After a few minutes, you can rinse off the foam and reapply shampoo using the same method. And don't be lazy to massage. Pay special attention to the area behind the ears and temples – you'll be surprised how much tension accumulates there during the day.

Step 5. Rinse the shampoo well.

Rinse the foam well. And when you think that “everything is clean,” stand under the shower for another half minute — just to be sure. This approach completely eliminates the smallest shampoo residues that can weigh down the hair and disrupt the pH balance of the scalp.

Step 6. Apply the balm only to the length of the hair

Now it's time for a balm, conditioner, or mask. Apply the product only to the hair, avoiding the root zone and scalp. The procedure additionally moisturizes the curls, seals the cuticle, and makes it easier to comb.

Rinse the product thoroughly with cool water.

Step 7. Carefully dry your hair

Forget about the habit of rubbing your hair with a towel – Japanese women don't do that, as it damages it. Use a soft microfiber or cotton to gently pat and absorb excess moisture.

Blow-drying starts with warm air at the roots. Then you can switch to cool mode to dry the ends – done, now your hair is ready to style!

Are you ready to turn washing your hair into a long beauty ritual for the sake of results?

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🧖‍♀️ Yes, it's relaxing ⏱️ No, I value my time 🤔 I'll try it on the weekend

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🧖‍♀️ Yes, it's relaxing 50% ⏱️ No, I value my time 0% 🤔 I'll try it on the weekend 50% 💡