Double Shampooing 101: Because Your Hair Deserves a Double Clean

Feeling like your shampoo isn’t, well, shampooing as it should? Before you toss the bottle in frustration and start searching for a new one, consider that the issue might not be the product - it could be your technique. Enter the double shampoo method, a simple yet effective routine upgrade that could completely change how clean, fresh, and healthy your hair feels. 

Much like double-cleansing your face, the first wash removes dirt, oil, and product buildup, while the second allows the shampoo to penetrate deeper and really cleanse the scalp. The result? Softer, lighter, more balanced strands that are ready to absorb all the goodness of your conditioners, masks, and treatments. 

Let’s break down everything you need to know about double shampooing - the benefits, the best practices, and the products we recommend. 

What Is Double Shampooing? 

Double shampooing is exactly what it sounds like: shampooing your hair twice in one wash. Most bottles already say lather, rinse, repeat, but many of us skip the second step. Experts agree that while you don’t need to double shampoo every day, doing so occasionally can transform the health and cleanliness of your scalp. 

The first wash breaks down surface buildup - think styling products, dry shampoo, excess sebum, or minerals from hard water. The second wash works deeper, actually cleansing the scalp and strands. This two-step process ensures your hair isn’t just superficially clean, but truly refreshed and reset. 

The Benefits of Double Shampooing 

1. Removes Stubborn Product Buildup: If you’re a fan of hairspray, mousse, or dry shampoo, you’ll know that one wash often doesn’t cut it. Double shampooing ensures all traces are removed, preventing dullness, heaviness, and clogged follicles. 

Try: Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo - perfect as a first cleanse to cut through product and pollution buildup. 

2. Clears Flakes and Soothes the Scalp: For those prone to dandruff or scalp irritation, double cleansing can make a noticeable difference. The first shampoo lifts flakes and oils, while the second clears them away, leaving your scalp calmer and fresher. 

Try: Biolage Scalp Sync Cool Mint Shampoo - gentle yet effective for soothing itchy, flaky scalps. 

3. Washes Away Salt, Chlorine, and Minerals: Swimmers or beach lovers, take note. Chlorine, salt, and hard water minerals cling stubbornly to hair, leaving it brittle and dry. A double cleanse ensures all residues are lifted away, preventing long-term damage. 

Try: Kérastase Première Bain Decalcifying Repairing Shampoo - formulated to combat mineral deposits from water. 

4. Prepares Hair for Treatments: Think of double shampooing as setting the stage. A freshly and thoroughly cleansed scalp absorbs masks, conditioners, and serums more effectively, boosting their benefits. 

Try: Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Shampoo followed by Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep Conditioning Treatment for the ultimate scalp-to-strand refresh. 

Who Should Double Shampoo? 

While all hair types can benefit, double shampooing is particularly useful if: 

• You wash your hair less frequently (once or twice a week). 
• You use lots of styling products or dry shampoo. 
• You have dandruff, flakiness, or a sensitive scalp. 
• You swim often or live in a hard-water area. 

However, if you wash daily or every other day, a single shampoo is usually enough. Overdoing it could strip your hair of natural oils. 

How to Double Shampoo the Right Way 

Technique matters as much as frequency. Here’s how experts recommend doing it: 

• Start with a small amount of shampoo - focus on the scalp, not the lengths. 
• Massage gently with fingertips for 60 seconds to break down buildup. 
• Rinse thoroughly. 
• Repeat with a second wash, concentrating again on the roots and scalp. 
• Follow with conditioner or mask, applying only from mid-lengths to ends. 

Pro tip: If your hair is very dry or damaged, apply conditioner to the ends before shampooing. This protects them from potential stripping. 

Double Shampooing vs. Clarifying Shampoo 

It’s easy to confuse the two. Clarifying shampoos are formulated with stronger ingredients designed to remove buildup in a single wash. Double shampooing achieves a similar result through repetition rather than intensity, making it gentler and more versatile. 

For the best of both worlds, try using a clarifying shampoo for your first cleanse, then follow with a nourishing shampoo tailored to your hair type. 

Perfect pair: 

ELEVEN Australia Deep Clean Shampoo (for clarifying) 

Alfaparf Milano Semi Di Lino Moisture Nutritive Low Shampoo (for softness and moisture) 

The Final Takeaway 

Double shampooing is the low-effort, high-reward hack your hair has been waiting for. By simply washing twice, you’re ensuring your scalp and strands are truly clean, free from buildup, and ready to shine. Think of it as pressing the reset button for your hair - giving it the best foundation for health, manageability, and style. 

Shop the right shampoo for you at ozhairandbeauty.com