WTF is... double shampooing anyway?
Don't pick up that second bottle until you've read this
So… WTF is it?
Double-shampooing, hopefully unsurprisingly, is the concept of washing your hair twice in succession - then using your conditioner/hair treatment/whatever as usual.
The typical technique is to concentrate on cleaning the scalp for the first wash, then washing the whole length of your hair with the second wash.
You can use the same shampoo for both washes, or 2 different ones, depending on your hair’s needs.
What’s the point of it? I mean, what does it actually do?
Few things:
The main theory is that your ‘first’ shampoo gets rid of the superficial layer of dirt (oil, sweat, grime, all the good stuff) coating the hair. That means that the ‘second’ wash can give you an intensive clean.
You might need different things from your shampoos. If you have a specific hair type (eg curly, frizzy), but it’s also (for example) damaged, you might need 2 shampoos to treat each of those effectively1.
You might just hate the smell of the shampoo that your hair responds best to. A second wash will retain the benefits, but replace the smell.
The blindingly obvious: your hair usually gets double-shampooed at the hairdresser’s, so it must be ‘better’.
How does it work?
It cleans your hair twice.
Is it the same thing as pre-shampooing?
No. But the fact that that’s known predominantly as pre-poo2 means that I’m not willing to give it any further airtime here. You can Google that one - you’re on your own.
Is it the same thing as double-cleansing?
No, that’s this:
And why would someone want it?
People with thick hair, who only wash it every few days
If this is you3, double shampooing is a good idea. If you’re washing it infrequently, your hair will accumulate a lot of grime between washes. If you use styling products, you also risk product build-up if you’re not getting your hair completely clean each wash.
People managing a scalp condition as well as a hair concern
If this is you4, it’s likely that you use a specialised shampoo to treat your scalp. Those aren’t typically formulated to give you Timotei hair5, so you’ll probably want a second wash with a more cosmetic shampoo that makes you feel like this.
How much is it?
You will potentially use twice as much shampoo, but:
If you’re only washing your hair twice a week, you’re not using a huge amount of shampoo in any case
You only need a small amount both times. You’ll likely be surprised at how easily your second wash lathers up.
Does it hurt?
Only when you get an ouchie if it stings your eyes.
Do I do it?
I now do this most times that I wash my hair. I have SO MUCH HAIR6 and washing it is a giant pain. I started double washing about 6 months ago7 and really found it made a difference:
My hair looked/felt greasy less quickly
It reduces the frequency of my psoriasis flare-ups
Shoutout to my delightful Brazilian hairdresser who had to triple wash my hair to get all the glitter out of it post-Carnaval 2024.
Should you do it?
Probably, if one or more of the following apply to you:
You have thick hair
You wash your hair infrequently
You’re managing more than one hair/scalp concern
You live in a hard water area
Probably not if you:
Wash your hair every day
Have thin hair8 - you’re likely to just weigh your hair down. Although it still might be worth considering if you need a scalp or colour-enhancing shampoo as well as a volumising shampoo.
Anything else I think you should know?
Out of the goodness of my heart, this is a grid that suggests the order of shampoos if you do decide to double shampoo9.
Until the next time! x
Disclaimer: ‘WTF is…’ guides are intended to be a 3-5 minute introduction to a topic. They are, by their nature, not exhaustive.
If you have a concern that I’ve irresponsibly included/omitted information, don’t hesitate to get in touch to let me know and I’ll take a look.
Reminder that any cosmetic work undertaken should be in accordance with The 6 rules of cosmetic work. Here they are, in case you missed them the first time…
Obviously, there are shampoos that claim to do both, but if you haven’t found one that you like, there is the option to use two separate ones. Equally obviously, you can also alternate them on different days.
This decade is THE WORST.
It is me.
It is me.
I highly recommend that you watch all of these. Although they teach a hard lesson that women with extraordinarily beautiful hair apparently often end up with surprisingly unattractive chaps (albeit sometimes said chaps are on horseback).
This is the reaction of every hairdresser I’ve ever met.
I use 2 different shampoos each time. More to follow on this next week. OOOOH!
Not the same as fine hair. I have tons of fine hair. THIN hair, as in you don’t have a lot of volume.
This is not exhaustive; I am not a trichologist. If it confuses you, just ignore it.