Washing your hair may feel like a straightforward task—rinse, shampoo, rinse, condition, rinse again—but the way you clean your scalp can dramatically change the appearance of your hair. You can even target your routine with goals in mind (Italian-style washing focuses on strength!).
Recently, I learned about the Chinese philosophy behind washing your hair. Chinese philospher Confucius said, “Our bodies—to every hair and bit of skin—are received by us from our parents, and we must not presume to injure or wound them.” This concept has been carried through the centuries. Hair is also associated with good fortune, which is why there’s a tradition of not washing your hair during the Chinese New Year, to avoid rinsing luck away.
With all of this context, it’s no surprise that Chinese women have a fabulously lengthy hair-care routine. We walk you through it, with the goal of visibly healthier, longer, shinier, and softer-to-the-touch hair, below.
Many of these hair-care practices have piqued our curiosity. Among them, one stands out in particular: the Chinese head spa, a technique practiced in Chinese beauty salons that makes us rethink the steps we all take for granted when washing our hair. This method combines acupressure massages, herbal infusions, and a steam bath or waterfall to promote circulation and relaxation, while focusing on cleansing and moisturizing the hair and scalp.
The result? A hair-washing ritual unlike anything we’re used to, where the goal is to achieve visibly healthier, longer, shinier, and softer-to-the-touch hair. That’s why we’re sharing how you can incorporate it into your routine in six simple steps.
The 6-Step Chinese Technique for Washing Your Hair
Dry-brushing
The pre-wash process is just as important as the wash itself. The Chinese technique suggests carefully dry-brushing the scalp with a soft-bristled brush to remove product buildup and anything else that has accumulated since you’re last wash (dead skin cells, sweat, et cetera). This can also help with detangling your hair while it’s still dry, which will cause less breakage.
The key is to do this gently without applying too much pressure, which could cause harm.