Regular hair wash is essential today, due partly to the increase in dust, grime and dirt, and also because of the various products we use to dress our hair. Together, these contribute to produce a surface film on the hair that must be removed if the hair is to stay clean, fresh and shiny.

The scalp should be treated as gently as possible and a mild shampoo should always be used. You may need to experiment with various shampoos until you find the one that suits you best. And it is a good idea to change your shampoo occasionally; your hair and scalp get used to its action, and after a time it may not work as well as it once did.

There are number of shampoos on the market, designed for every type of hair. Look for one that is formulated for your hair type. A shampoo should cleanse thoroughly without irritating or demoisturizing the scalp.

To shampoo properly:

1. Brush or comb the hair thoroughly to loosen dirt and dead skin cells from the scalp.

2. Wet the hair completely, making sure that the underneath layers are well saturated.

3. Pour a small amount of shampoo, about a teaspoonful, into your palm. Wet the shampoo first to dilute it, as most are concentrated formulas.

4. Massage the shampoo gently into the hair roots with the fingertips, covering the whole scalp. Start at the scalp and work through to the ends.

5. With the flat of your hand, work the shampoo into the bulk of the hair over the top layers. This shouldn't take too long, as shampoo need only be in contact with the hair for half a minute to clean thoroughly.

6. Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water and check that there is no shampoo left in your hair.

7. Blot the hair with a towel. Never rub it, as hair is at its weakest when wet and has less elasticity.

8. Wrap your hair in a towel and leave the towel to absorb the moisture. When the hair is damp rather than wet, comb it through with a wide-toothed comb and dry it in the usual way.