You Should Know the Difference Between Rinse and Treatment and Use Them in the Right Order

When temperatures drop sharply like they do these days, and the cold weather continues day after day, the skin and hair as a whole can become dry and feel rough. Especially in winter, when moisture in the hair becomes depleted, friction can occur and static can easily appear, causing a lot of hair to stick to clothes and coats, which can be unnecessarily annoying.

Also, because the outdoor temperature drops sharply and the humidity in winter falls to about 10–20% compared with average humidity, it is important to manage indoor temperature and humidity if you spend most of your time indoors. And it seems necessary to pay closer attention to the health of the scalp and hair, as well as to moisture and oil balance care. These days, there are convenient and various products that make it possible to do self-care at home, along with beauty devices designed specifically for the scalp and hair. However, even so, many people overlook this among the care products they use every day.

That is the order of rinse and treatment. Of course, some people value this process and follow it correctly, but when using them casually, there are times when you may get confused about which should be used first, or what type of cleanser is best for your own hair. So I would like to share some related information to help.

First, before looking at the order of rinse and treatment, let me explain the difference between the two products.

Rinse is also called conditioner, and it temporarily coats the surface of the hair. It helps prevent the nutrients in the hair from escaping and plays a role in blocking odors from food, dust, and other foreign substances. It also makes coated hair softer, which helps reduce static and tangling.

However, because it only provides a temporary coating, its function disappears once it is rinsed out, so it is difficult for it to greatly improve the condition of the hair. Also, when using it, it is important to be careful not to let it touch the scalp directly and to apply it only to the hair so it can be protected.

And it is easier to understand treatment as a product that supplies nutrients to the hair. As mentioned earlier, dryness from winter environmental changes, stress, dyeing, or perming can damage natural hair. At this time, hair whose overall balance has been disturbed gradually develops widened gaps, which can even make it feel rough and dry. If you have these symptoms, using this product, which is mainly made up of protein ingredients, between the microscopic scale-like cuticles that have opened up can fill in the cracks and supply the missing nutrients, helping to care for damage.

Now that we have looked at the role, function, and differences of each product, let’s take a close look at the most important order of rinse and treatment.

Correct order of rinse and treatment Shampoo > Treatment > Rinse​

This sequence can be said to be the most suitable. When shampooing, it is important to focus on the scalp while minimizing irritation. After thoroughly wetting the hair with lukewarm water, take an appropriate amount in your hand, work up a lather, and gently massage to cleanse using your fingers rather than your nails.

Next, apply treatment starting from the ends of the hair, making sure it does not touch the scalp, and then leave it on for about 10 to 20 minutes so the nutrients, moisture, and protein can be absorbed evenly before rinsing it out. This is said to improve the effect even more. If the hair’s nutrient condition is relatively good, use it once a week; if not, using it consistently about once every 2 to 3 days will help you achieve soft and glossy hair.

Finally, if you follow the step of coating with rinse, it helps prevent the nutrients from the product used earlier from washing away and blocks the entry of foreign substances such as outside dust and other external irritants. If you understand and follow this sequence well, you will be able to see your dry and rough hair change into a softer style with a healthy shine.

If you accidentally use them in the wrong order after shampooing, you will not be able to get any of their benefits at all. Since the surface of the hair has already been coated, the products used afterward cannot work effectively, so it is best to keep in mind and understand the steps mentioned above and use them accordingly.

In addition, when caring for a healthy scalp and hair, temperature is one of the most important factors. When washing your hair, it is better to use lukewarm water rather than hot water, and when blow-drying, it is better to dry the scalp and hair thoroughly with cool air rather than warm air to reduce unnecessary irritation.

Also, if you continue to practice and maintain the information shared today and use it well, it can be an opportunity to return rough, damaged hair caused by external irritation or dryness to a soft and healthy hairstyle.