Shampooing and Treatments
Purpose and selection
Shampoo removes sebum, product buildup, and soil while preserving scalp health. Selection depends on hair and scalp type: clarifying for buildup, moisturizing for dry or chemically treated hair, medicated for dandruff, acid-balanced to close the cuticle after alkaline services. Trap: choosing a strong clarifying shampoo for freshly colored or relaxed hair - it strips color and moisture.
The procedure
Know the sequence: sanitize hands and tools, drape the client (shampoo cape, towel, neck strip), test water temperature (warm, not hot), wet, apply product, massage the scalp with fingertips (never nails) in a systematic pattern, rinse thoroughly, then condition mid-shaft to ends. Avoid vigorous scalp massage over lesions or recent chemical services. Rinse until water runs clear; residue dulls hair and irritates scalp.
Treatments
Conditioners smooth the cuticle and restore moisture. Scalp treatments address dryness or oiliness. Protein treatments temporarily fill cracks in porous hair; moisturizing treatments add softness and elasticity. Recognize that over-proteinized hair feels stiff and brittle, while over-moisturized hair feels limp and gummy - the exam tests this balance.
Worked rule of thumb
"Match the shampoo to the scalp, the conditioner to the hair." Scalp type drives cleansing; hair condition drives conditioning.
Trap to watch
Questions about massage pressure or duration during shampooing - scalp massage during shampoo is brief and gentle, not a full treatment service.