What is the double shampoo method I hear you ask? Well, in a nutshell, the double shampoo method is a hair technique to cleanse your scalp that aims to get your hair and scalp super clean without completely stripping moisture from your hair. It involves using a clarifying shampoo followed up with a moisturizing shampoo to cleanse the scalp and hair.
If you have a very active lifestyle, are heavy-handed with products, or have an oily scalp, then this technique is great for you and your scalp.
Both shampoos will work together to thoroughly cleanse the scalp without leaving it feeling stripped or extremely dry.
Why Two Shampoos?
When co-washing is just not good enough, you need to proper shampoo to give your scalp and hair a fresh start for the week ahead or your upcoming hairstyle. Our hair can easily become bogged down with products especially if you use techniques like the LOC or LCO method.
You will find that many hair products, particularly those aimed at natural hair, are formulated with butters*, oils*, fatty alcohols, creams, and much more.
While these products are rich in vitamins* and minerals that aid in moisture retention, they can also weigh our curls down over time.
Additionally, you may be a gel lover for your wash-and-go’s or you may love your slick buns for school or work. These styles look amazing but they absolutely weigh your hair down due to the sheer amount of gel required to create the style and they can also cause your scalp to become itchy.
If you consistently apply products to your hair without properly cleansing your scalp in between you will simply not see the true benefits of the products that you use. Product build-up makes conditioners not work as well leaving your hair brittle and breaking over time despite moisturizing regularly.
In the past, if you were a heavy butter or gel user you would have to use a clarifying shampoo regularly to get your hair back to baseline but instead, you can use two shampoos which will allow your scalp and hair to have the best of both worlds; super clean hair that is not stripped.
What should I use to double shampoo?
Remember the tip: Condition your hair but shampoo your scalp
Clarifying Shampoo
Clarifying shampoos are formulated with cleansing ingredients to remove the layers of product build-up that remain on the scalp and hair.
You need to apply an ample amount to your scalp to get the best results. Follow up by massaging your scalp which aids in lifting any excess oil, sebum, and products that are clogging your pores.
Next, rinse the clarifying shampoo* and ensure it runs along the shaft of your hair. You can also squeeze on the length of the hair so that all of the clarifying shampoos get out. Repeat this step until you get a good lather while massaging the shampoo in.
When selecting a clarifying shampoo, read the ingredients label. You may want a shampoo that is formulated without ingredients such as sulfates. Many will find that sulfates are too harsh for their hair but if you are ok with sulfates then pick the best one that you can afford. You can find our recommendations for the top 8 clarifying shampoos for natural hair here.
Moisturizing Shampoo
After you are done rinsing the clarifying shampoo*, follow up with a moisturizing shampoo. Moisturizing shampoos are manufactured with a lot of hydrating ingredients.
They work by gently removing build-up from your scalp and hair, while simultaneously restoring some moisturizing ingredients. This way you do not have to worry about your hair or scalp feeling dry afterward. Moisturizing shampoos are great as your hair will be properly cleansed and nourished at the same time.
As with the clarifying shampoo, apply the product to your scalp and massage it in to create a lather. Rinse and allow the shampoo to run down the length of your hair. You will find that you only need to use the moisturizing shampoo once but ensure that you rinse thoroughly.
Examples of hydrating ingredients you should be looking for in moisturizing shampoos are water, aloe vera juice*, honey*, oils, and much more. These ingredients work as barriers to prevent moisture loss or as moisture attractors so your hair will receive the hydration that it needs while it is being cleansed.
After rinsing, your hair will feel renewed and replenished. You can then follow up with your usual conditioning routine.
Aren’t two shampoos excessive?
A lot of you may think so and prefer to use just one shampoo and if you’ve never had any problems with your current routine, then there’s no need to change anything. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…
But if you’ve ever found yourself wondering why your hair doesn’t quite feel clean enough after using your usual shampoo yet you know that using a clarifying shampoo will lead to a whole lot of tangles, dry hair, and breakage, this method may be for you.
At most, the double shampoo method may take you additional 5 minutes maximum during your wash day. An extra 5 minutes is a small price to pay for freshly cleansed yet moisturized tresses ready for your next hairstyle.
