Technical Notes: Washing Hair

Step One: Consultation

·      Look at hair in its natural state before you wash it.

·     Look for dandruff, alopecia (hair missing), head lice (normally sit as base of neck and behind ear as they are the warmest parts of the head).

·      Look at quality and condition of hair, as different hair types will need different treatments.

·      Ask the client if they are on any medication as that can change the properties of the hair.

Step Two: Washing

·      Put gown on model.

·      Put towel round shoulders of model.

·      Make sure all the models hair is un-tucked from the gown and towel.

·      Check the temperature of the water on wrist.

·      Fine hair needs les shampoo than thick hair.

·      Don’t scrub hair with shampoo- firmly massage head with tips of fingers.

·      Do two shampoos.

·      Hair will squeak when cleanly rinsed.

·      Turn off water after shampoo.

·      Don’t put too much conditioner in roots.

·      Comb through hair in basin whilst conditioner on (afro comb is best).

·      Rinse combs of all conditioner.

·      Rinse hair thoroughly of all conditioner.

·      Squeeze hair over sink.

·      Wrap hair in towel and squeeze- don’t rub.

Step Three: Drying

·      Once back at station, use wide comb and comb through hair again in sections.

·      Put the nozzle on the hairdryer.

·      Make sure there are no knots in the hairdryer lead.

·      Use the high heat on thick hair and lower heat on fine hair.

·      Turn on hairdryer and test temperature on hand and wrist.

·      Always move hairdryer from root to tip. Always keep back end of hairdryer away from hair.