Haarwäsche
Hair washing is the act of keeping hair clean by washing it with shampoo or other detergent products and water. People most often wash their hair when they feel it is dirty. Hair conditioner may also be used to improve hair's texture and manageability. Two-in-one shampoos, which have both detergent and conditioning components, are now commonly also used as a replacement for shampoo and conditioner.
The scalp releases organic oil to lubricate hair follicles. Over time this oil traps dirt and dust and this makes hair dirty. To avoid dirty hair, people apply a surfactant, most usually shampoo, but sometimes soap to their hair and lather the surfactant with water. The surfactant is rinsed out with clean water and the hair is now clean. There are also dry shampoos, which are powders which remove grease from the hair by soaking it up prior to being combed out.
Washing hair too often can irritate the scalp by removing too much of the protective oil.
By culture
Certain cultures dictate hair washing at various frequencies from daily to monthly.
- Yudu is a Korean festival that involves washing hair to wash away bad luck.
- Ghusl is an Islamic act that dictates how the hair should be washed.
Of course, there is no actual biological need to wash hair. However, hair-washing appears to be a near universal culturally-sanctioned hygenic practice. Contrary to popular rumour, all hairstyles can be washed; for example, Rastafarians can and do wash their dreadlocks.
