How to wash your hair: Your questions, answered

There are three things your shampoo should be: cleansing, nourishing, and gentle. Acid rinses are said to maintain your hair’s natural pH balance and add shine to hair, which is why some people like using apple cider vinegar as a rinse. But you don’t need to head to the kitchen cabinet: all Dove shampoos are acidic, so you can wash hair properly without the vinegary smell

As a general rule, you should condition your hair every time you cleanse it, as shampoo can strip away your hair’s natural oils. If you want to switch up the way you use it though, try reverse-washing. Simply condition your hair first, then shampoo – try our Daily Moisture Conditioner, followed by our Daily Moisture Shampoo – some women find it leaves them with more volume

When it comes to wet hair, there’s one main rule: be gentle. Pat your hair dry with a towel without rubbing it – the friction can cause damage – and be careful with the comb. Brushing wet hair can cause breakage and split ends, so try conditioning your hair first, then using a wide-tooth comb to gently get rid of tangles

You’ve probably heard the classic ‘lather, rinse, repeat’ mantra, but it’s not actually necessary if you’re washing hair every day. If you only use a few products and your hair feels clean after one wash, then feel free to skip the ‘repeat’ step altogether if you want to

You might not think of your washing routine outside of the shower, but a pre-wash treatment can really help to soften your hair or smooth away frizz. Massage a serum or mask – such as our Anti-Frizz Oil Therapy Hair Mask/a> – through your hair, and leave for up to 30 minutes before washing to add extra nourishment

So, the big question: how often should you wash your hair? Some people find that their hair feels greasy if they don’t wash it every day, while others think a few days between washes works best. Try cutting down to 2 or 3 times a week to see what works for you, then increase or decrease as you like. Between washes, our Refresh + Care Fresh Coconut Dry Shampoo can help to freshen up your hair