There’s nothing quite as relaxing as having a nice, warm bath. But when it comes time to wash your hair, it can feel tricky maneuvering in the tub. With the right techniques, washing your hair in the bath can be easy and enjoyable.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the entire process step-by-step so you can get clean, healthy hair with minimal hassle.
Preparing for Your Bath
Before climbing into the tub, take a few minutes to get set up:
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Tie up long hair: Put your hair in a loose bun or braid so it’s up and out of the way as you get in and out of the tub. This prevents tangling and knotting.
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Gather your products: Have your shampoo, conditioner, detangler, and any hair masks or treatments within easy reach.
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Protect your eyes: Pick up a visor or headband to keep water and products out of your eyes as you tilt your head back.
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Get your tools: Have ready a wide-tooth comb or wet brush, hair clips, and a cup for rinsing.
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Adjust the temperature: Fill the tub with lukewarm water rather than scalding hot to avoid drying out your hair and scalp.
Washing Your Hair Step-by-Step
Once you’re ready to begin, follow these key steps:
1. Wet Your Hair
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After securing your hair up, slowly lower yourself into the water and tilt your head back to soak your hair completely.
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If needed, use a cup to pour water over your hairline and crown area to saturate the roots.
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Take down your hair and let it fan out in the water when fully wet.
2. Lather Up With Shampoo
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Squirt a quarter-sized dollop of shampoo into your palm based on your hair length and thickness.
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Rub your palms together to work up a nice lather, then apply it to your roots.
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Gently massage the shampoo into your scalp using your fingertips, not nails.
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Work the lather through to your ends, distributing it evenly from roots to tips.
3. Rinse Thoroughly
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Once your hair is fully shampooed, tilt your head back into the water to rinse.
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Use your fingers to rake through your hair and help remove all traces of shampoo.
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Fill a cup with clean water to pour over any sections that need extra rinsing.
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Repeat until the water runs clear and your hair feels squeaky clean.
4. Apply Conditioner
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After shampooing, smooth your preferred conditioner over your lengths and ends.
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Use more conditioner on the drier mid-lengths and ends than near your roots.
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For extra moisture, coat your hair in a hydrating hair mask before conditioner.
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Let the conditioner sit for 2-5 minutes before rinsing out.
5. Rinse Out Conditioner
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Once the conditioner has had time to soak in, tilt your head back into the water to rinse it out.
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Use your fingers to “squish” sections of hair under the water to remove conditioner.
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Pour cups of clean water over your hair, focusing on the ends, until it feels clean.
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Be sure to remove all traces of conditioner so hair doesn’t feel greasy.
Post-Wash Care
After washing your hair in the bath, be sure to:
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Gently blot hair with a soft cotton towel or microfiber hair wrap. Don’t rub vigorously.
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Comb through with a wide-tooth comb while hair is still damp to detangle.
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Apply any desired leave-in treatments or styling products section-by-section.
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Let air dry or use a diffuser attachment on low speed and heat to dry hair.
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Style as desired once hair is completely dry.
Tips for Washing Thick, Curly, or Long Hair
Washing long, dense, or curly hair in the tub can be trickier:
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Condition first, shampoo second. This helps provide slip for detangling prior to shampooing.
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Work in sections to thoroughly distribute products from roots to ends.
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Let hair air dry as much as possible before styling to avoid frizz.
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Use a wet brush, wide-tooth comb, or your fingers only to gently detangle curls.
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Clean the drain catch regularly to prevent clogs from shed strands.
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Invest in a hair strainer to catch hairs as the tub drains after washing.
Choosing the Right Hair Products
Picking the right shampoo, conditioner, and styling products ensures healthy, clean hair:
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Shampoo: Choose a gentle, sulfate-free formula. Or look for options specifically for your hair type, such as volumizing or color-protecting shampoos.
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Conditioner: Pick a nourishing, silicone-free formula. Opt for deep conditioning masks weekly if hair is very dry.
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Detangler: Use a lightweight leave-in detangler or conditioner when hair is wet for easy combing.
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Styling products: Enhance your look with anti-frizz serums, heat protectants, mousses, gels, etc. based on your styling needs.
Maintain Healthy Hair
Be sure to:
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Shampoo only 1-2 times per week at most to avoid over-stripping hair.
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Rinse with cool water at the end of your shower to boost shine.
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Limit use of hot styling tools that can damage hair over time.
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Get occasional trims to remove split ends before they travel up the hair shaft.
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Use a heat protectant before heat styling and allow hair to air dry when possible.
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Sleep on a silk pillowcase to minimize friction that can cause breakage.
Enjoy Your Soothing Bath Routine
With this easy step-by-step guide, you can look forward to washing your hair in the bath without hassle or tangled messes. Follow these tips to keep your hair feeling clean, soft, and healthy. Happy bathing!