LindyGirl longs to learn…I deep condition using Extra Virgin Coconut Oil once a week. I had tried oils before but would end up having to shampoo so many times to remove the oil it seemed to defeat the purpose of the deep conditioning process. Then I read some ‘how to’ directions on a spa site. They recommended applying the oil to dry hair, cover with a shower cap, cover the shower cap with a towel and leave it for an hour. Then apply shampoo to dry hair, add water and shampoo as usual. It works, but I have wondered is there any scientific reason to back it up.
The Right Brain’s reasoned response:
I’ve never tested this “pre-treatment” technique but there could be a scientific explanation for why it works.
Why is pre-treatment good?
Can it break bad?
I”m guessing that working a viscous shampoo through dry hair could be a bit challenging on long hair. So this tip might be easier to execute if you have short hair. Also, putting more concentrated surfactants in contact with skin without prior dilution with water MAY be more irritating. (Of course that will depend on what kind of shampoo you’re using.) I’m not sure whether or not this would be more or less irritating than washing multiple times. Sounds like this could be a good half head test for Left Brain!
Have you every had trouble getting oil out of your hair? Have you tried Lindy’s shampoo pre-treatment technique? Leave a comment and share your experiences with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
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I’m a little confused–it sounds like in the question Lindygirl was describing leaving the oil on the hair for an hour as the first step–not the shampoo.
@Sarah: You’re right about her description of the first step. But I was trying to address the question about putting shampoo on dry hair and how that might be better or worse than diluting the shampoo by putting it on wet hair. I hope that’s clear – if not please help me rephrase. Thanks!
Oh, I get it–thanks!
Haha, I’ve always thought it made sense to apply shampoo directly on my hair when I’ve used a lot of heavy/coating products.
Anyway…
I usually pre-treat my hair with a coconut oil because of its penetrating/protein saving properties… However, when I heat-style i usually use cone-heavy serums and was wondering will the oil penetrate through those or is it a waste??
I’ve heard about this method as well. Women in India who do very heavy oiling regularly do this. There are special after-oil shampoos which you put directly onto the oiled hair. See here: http://www.veda.ch/ayurvedashop/after-oil-shampoo.html
Sorry, this page’s in German.