Have you ever had a client tell you that they're "training their hair" to go a day or more without washing? It might sound silly to us because we know hair is not alive (and can't be taught tricks like a puppy) but there is some truth to the concept. Depending on a whole slew of factors- diet, genetics, etc.- some clients are left with greasy looking strands when they don't wash hair daily. With the rise of lived-in textured hair and other product-heavy looks, it's tough to have hair look good and look clean. According to a recent piece by Refinery29, here are the five steps clients should take to keep out of the shower and still have gorgeous, healthy-looking locks.

1. Oil Is Your Friend: The natural oils on our scalp keep our hair healthy and helps it look fantastic... if we let it. Instruct clients to brush dry hair from roots to the ends with a boar-bristle brush before bed. This will help the natural oils moisturize strands and prevent buildup on the scalp overnight, allowing clients to forego a shampoo in the morning.
2. Stick To The Program: When a client first enters your salon, you should be analyzing their hair and making recommendations for the products they should use regularly. For clients that struggle with oily roots, suggest using a clarifying shampoo to remove sebum buildup and give hair a clean slate. Clients should then only use shampoos marked as gentle throughout the week, using the clarifying shampoo only once a week for very oily hair to once a month for moderately oily or color-treated hair. Remind clients that this is a marathon, not a sprint; patience is key if they want to prevent oily roots from popping up.
3. Break Up With Your Conditioner: When used properly, conditioners can soften and restore much-needed moisture to parched strands. However, more often than not, clients are using conditioners improperly. First, clients should apply conditioners that are silicone and oil free to the ends of hair only. (You'd be surprised by how many apply it primarily to the scalp.) If clients complain of hair feeling too dry, instruct them to use a mask (again- only to the bottom half of their hair) to restore moisture.
4. Apply Dry Shampoo Sooner Than You Think: Applying dry shampoo to second or third-day hair isn't going to help the situation. In fact, it will only make hair look more oily. Explain to clients that dry shampoo should only be used on clean hair (or not at all.) Bonus: Dry shampoo on freshly washed hair will add extra volume. 
5. Treat Yourself: If the above steps don't seem to be working after a few weeks, clients can try incorporating a scalp treatment into their routine. On a non-clarifying day during their week, applying a scalp treatment can help regulate oil.

After a few weeks of abiding by the plan above, your clients should be able to go a few days without shampooing and still maintain healthy-looking hair. 

Photo: Shutterstock | Alliance

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