Reverse hair washing - is it the secret to full and voluminous hair?

Reverse hair washing - is it the secret to full and voluminous hair?

 

Reverse washing for fine hair

Reverse hair washing, is it the holy grail of full and voluminous hair? We’re here to take you on a journey through everything you need to know about reverse washing your hair.
Discussing the pros and cons of reverse washing your hair, and ultimately helping you decide if it’s right for your hair type. 

What is reverse hair washing?

It's a very simple hair care technique, more specifically, a shampooing technique. Instead of shampooing and then conditioning, you just switch the products around and do the reverse instead. Conditioner first, before the shampoo. By reverse washing, you get all the nourishing and moisturising benefits of conditioner without leaving any residue on your hair.
shampoo bar and conditioner in an alumium bottle on a yellow background

Which hair types is reverse washing good for?

Reverse washing is great for fine or thin hair. On finer hair, conditioner can sometimes weigh it down and cause it to become greasy more easily. 

Reverse hair washing is not advised if your hair is very dry, coarse or curly. For these hair types, conditioning after shampooing helps to give hair an added boost of moisture. The conditioner also coats the hair slightly, helping it to retain the moisture for longer.

What are the benefits of reverse washing?

When conditioner residue sits on top of fine hair, particularly straight fine hair, it can lead to greasy looking or feeling hair. So one benefit of reverse washing is fuller and bouncier hair.

Another benefit of reverse hair washing is that you won’t need to shampoo as often. Daily or excess washing can compromise the condition of your hair.

“Because the hair will feel less weighed down, the need to shampoo will be less frequent.” Says Jayne. “So a benefit of reverse washing is shampooing it less often, which is better for the overall health of your hair. Shampooing every 3-4 days, rather than daily, will result in stronger hair, fewer split ends and bouncy and full volume.”

How to reverse wash effectively

The founder of Hairy Jayne and former hairdresser, Jayne, is here to talk you through the process of how to reverse wash your hair properly.

“Reverse washing your hair is really as easy as it sounds. First, wet your hair and then squeeze out excess water. Apply your conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the scalp. Leave for a few minutes to let the active ingredients work their way into the hair as much as they can. Rinse, and then do one light shampoo to remove any residue” says Jayne. 

If you’re looking for a deeper condition, you can also reverse wash your hair by applying a treatment conditioner to dampened hair before you hop in the shower. Leave in for 20-30 mins, rinse out, shampoo lightly and then rinse well.
shampoo in a jar, conditioner in a bottle and treatment in a tin on a lilac background
Hairy Jayne Mighty Fine bundle for washing fine hair 

The best products to use for reverse washing

The beauty of reverse washing is that it can be done with your regular shampoo and conditioner, but here are our recommendations for the best results for healthy hair.

All of our sulphate free shampoos, with natural ingredients and no silicones, will work equally well.

For fine hair, we recommend our and refillable Light Conditioner and Conditioner bars. Both are natural and silicone free.
For a deeper conditioning treatment, ideal for particularly dry or damaged hair, our refillable and silicone free Treatment Conditioner is best.

The best way to distribute the conditioner evenly and gently throughout your hair is with our bamboo Detangling Comb.

bottle of conditioner in a bathroom surrrounded by plants

Final thoughts

After reverse washing you should notice bouncier hair right away. And then over time, fewer split ends. You might also notice that you don’t need to wash your hair as frequently, as your hair will feel less weighed down. Win-win!

For more hair care tips from a hairdresser, give Jayne a follow on Instagram. 

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