Should I wash my hair before a haircut?

Putting a lot of energy into cleaning your hair and scalp is crucial to avoiding problems with hair loss. The usual washing is more than a resource to keep the locks looking good; it precedes several salon procedures. You may have already asked yourself the following question: should I wash my hair before a haircut? To start talking about this issue, it is worth mentioning that frequent cutting is an ally of healthy growth. After all, it helps to eliminate split and dry ends, which often cause breakage and consequent loss of the desired length. Want to know how to ensure the best haircuts and results? Keep on reading and clear your main doubts about the topic!  

Some care is needed before trimming your hair with no fear, whether you’re going to do it yourself or seek the service of a professional. The question “Should I wash my hair before a haircut?” has a positive answer for preparing it for the scissors.

Check out examples of good practices that you should do before a haircut!

CLEAN THE HAIR

Dirty hair tends to accumulate a lot of dust and oil. These residues change the shape of the locks, which become heavy and without movement. The way out is to always do a good cleaning with the shampoo of your choice before heading to get you the next hairstyle.

Those who have a dry cut experience need to pay attention to the hygiene of the hair and scalp so that the trim is not affected by dirt. In such cases, it is important to wash the hair on the same day as the procedure and, if possible, let it air-dry.

UNTANGLE IT

One aspect that deserves attention is hair alignment. Use a comb or brush suitable for your hair type until you completely untangle it. Remove any tangles or curled parts for the haircut to come out as you dreamed, and favor beautiful hairstyles.

If necessary, apply a small amount of combing cream to avoid effort on the locks. With your hair properly aligned, you and the stylist will have more control of the limits of your cut.

ADJUST THE LIGHT

When thinking about whether you should wash your hair before a haircut, don’t forget about environmental factors. The procedure’s success also depends on adequate lighting to access each area of ​​your head. Make sure the area is well lit.

Natural light is the best way to see details and understand how the locks' color, brightness, and shape behave. So if you can have your haircut in the morning or afternoon, it will be even better.

Healthy hair is a source of pride for those who don’t give up on having a great look. But its benefits go beyond beauty if we consider that healthy-looking hair makes cutting procedures easier. The reason? There are no brittle parts, flaws, or excess damaged ends.

See what you can do to make your locks ready for a change of look.

STICK TO A CAPILLARY SCHEDULE

Your hair needs different sources of incentives to restore nutrients and water lost over time. Steps such as nutrition, reconstruction, and deep conditioning are part of the so-called capillary schedule, which comprises an effective hair care routine.

So, if the intention is to preserve the beauty and health of the hair so that you can get to the salon in great shape, invest in a complete treatment plan. There are already specific creams and masks for each phase.

PREFER WASHING YOUR HAIR IN COLD OR LUKEWARM WATER

The high temperature of the water in the shower is harmful to the hair and scalp because it stimulates oil production and promotes dryness. Even if you’re used to washing your hair with hot water, it’s best to try changing to lukewarm or cold water.

Choose warm water when shampooing to slightly open up hair scales and allow treatment products to penetrate the hair fibers. When rinsing and finishing, switch the shower to cold. This will close the cuticles and add shine.

AVOID CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL AGGRESSION 

Any changes on the hair must be done with care. If you decide to color or bleach it, try to respect the application time of mixtures without exceeding the maximum limit indicated by the manufacturer.

Physical aggression also damages the hair without us noticing it. That includes rubbing towels while drying, combing too hard, untangling the hair without care (splitting the strands), and tying it with tight rubber bands.

Washing your hair is crucial for any procedure involving scissors. Now, if there is a need to wet the strands before the cut, the answer is: that depends. Even if your hair is already clean and dry, the stylist may prefer to re-wet it.The reasons are several, both when wetting and leaving the locks dry. In any case, always demand quality products in the preparation and completion of the service.

REASONS TO WET THE STRANDS

This technique usually brings more precision, as it keeps the hair aligned by the weight of the water. As the chances of getting it right are higher, the procedure tends to be performed faster than dry cuts and is suitable for straight hair.That way, if a professional asks you to wash your hair before you go for a cut, it’s likely that they’ll feel safer and more comfortable running scissors through damp strands. For the customer, the downside is that they won’t be able to see the result before drying.

REASONS TO NOT WET THE STRANDS

Dry haircuts can be positive when the aim is to work with layers or frayed hair. That’s because it allows you to observe the movement and bouncing of the hair in real-time, which avoids going beyond the limits established for the length.

Stylists who prefer this technique tend to use it, so don’t worry if they ask you to arrive at the salon with dry locks. It is possible to use a sprayer to control more unruly strands.

Now that you know the benefits of each approach, it’s much easier to answer the question, “Should I wash my hair before a haircut?”

Remember that cleaning is different from moistening for the cut, and it must be carried out in all cases when changing your look.

Want to learn more about hair? Stick around and check out the best vitamins for hair growth!