One of the most important things you can do for healthy hair

One of the most important things you can do for healthy scalp, happy follicles, and strong hair is to wash your hair right.   How can something so simple be so important?

According to expert stylists, "It makes a big difference to any style, yet people are usually in too much of a rush to do it right."  A good shampoo removes product build-up, frees follicles from dirt, and let's your scalp breathe.  

The most important thing to remember that a good shampoo takes time.  One stylist commented, "... set aside 5-10 minutes, relax, and pamper yourself."

We brainstormed with ANTIDOTE expert stylists and here's what we agreed on:

1. Gently brush your scalp with a nylon and boar bristle brush to stimulate blood flow and remove dirt. 
2. Thoroughly wet your hair with warm water. This opens the hair cuticle and makes the shampoo spread more evenly throughout your hair.
3. Mix your shampoo - typically 2 full teaspoons - with water first.  This gets the lather started to more evenly coat the hair and scalp.
4. Show your scalp some love. That's where your hair is the most oily, and healthy follicles mean beautiful hair.  Start shampooing at your roots and work out from there.  Avoid scratching your scalp - this can cause abrasions - and beware that wet hair is fragile.  For a special treat, use a shampoo brush with gentle silicone "fingers".
5. The second wash.  If you haven't washed your hair in a while or use a lot of product, a second wash works wonders.  You'll often see your professional stylist double washing to make sure you have a healthy base to work from.
6. Rinse with cool water.  This closes the cuticle and soothes the scalp.
7. Pat towel dry, don't rub, then let hair air dry. 

Of course, the type of shampoo you use makes a big difference, too.   Look for ingredients like sulfate free cleansers, aloe vera bases, and Vitamin E.  

When in doubt, look for "green ratings" from an independent rating organization such as the Environmental Working Group's SkinDeep database.  Every ANTIDOTE 1848 shampoo is green rated.

Green rated products clean without stripping your hair of its natural oils and won't irritate your scalp. After all, beautiful hair starts with a healthy scalp!  While over 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your body, 100% ends up in our streams and oceans.  Green rated products are also better for the environment.

How does this compare to your normal shampoo routine?

- ANTIDOTE 1848 Plant Powered Hair Care