Korean Hair Care Routine For The Ultimate Gloss & Style

But what makes it such a beauty revolution and how can you adopt it? Let's find out.

Highlights:

• Korean Hair Care Routine
• Korean Hair Care Tips
• How Often Do Celebrities Wash Their Hair?

Korean Hair Care Routine

In a Korean-style hair care routine, the scalp is given as much importance and attention as the hair. A person who has been practicing this routine will have youthful and hydrated hair due to a healthy scalp, free of dead, flaky skin and dirt.

Regardless of your hair type, this advanced 10-step Korean hair care routine will hydrate and rejuvenate your hair and revive your scalp. So how does a Korean hair care routine work?

1. Scalp Scaler

A scalp scaler, in very simple terms is a shampoo, but for your scalp. This is the first and one of the most important steps in the Korean hair care routine. A scalp scaler, which is made up of salicylate, prevents build-up of oil and dead skin and keeps your scalp healthy.

It is recommended that you use a scalp scaler only once in a week or once in two weeks as part of your hair care regimen. The scaler is a liquid and unlike a shampoo, does not lather. Apply it directly onto your scalp before using a shampoo and leave it on for around 10 minutes before rinsing off.

When it comes to hair care products, you must scan the ingredients thoroughly before finding one that is right for your hair. So be sure to get an expert’s opinion on this.

2. Shampoo

A shampoo is the second step in your Korean hair care regimen for youthful, glossy hair. Be sure to pick out a gentle shampoo for your scalp that is specific to your needs and hair type. It will help get rid of the dirt in your hair without disrupting your scalp's pH. Lather the shampoo and massage it onto your scalp.

3. Scalp Massage

Some highly recommend a scalp massager or scalp brush for more hair growth. Using a scalp massager will improve blood circulation in the scalp area and help stimulate hair growth.

A study showed that scalp massage resulted in increased hair thickness. (1) It is, hence, no surprise that scalp massaging is an integral part of the Korean hair care routine. After shampooing, use a scalp massager or brush in gentle circular motions.

4. Conditioner

A conditioner comes after shampoo in the 10-step Korean hair care regimen. Before applying a conditioner, use a towel to dry your hair a bit and make sure to apply it on the shaft of your hair and not on the scalp.

Conditioning is an essential step as it hydrates your hair and nourishes it. Leave it on for a couple of minutes before rinsing it off.

5. Hair Mask

Just like your face, your hair needs masks too! Hair masks often contain different ingredients intended for different purposes. There are masks to help nourish dry hair with coconut and argan oil, masks that help prevent frizz with emollients as an ingredient and masks that help hair breakage with castor oil as an ingredient among others.

So, pick out one that’s just right for you. However, be sure to pick out a hair mask with no harmful ingredients such as sulphates, silicone or parabens. It is recommended you use a hair mask once a week.

6. Hair Rinse

An apple cider vinegar rinse is considered an important step in this hair care routine as it helps keep your scalp's pH in check.

To apply, mix apple cider vinegar with a bit of water and apply it onto your scalp. Rinse it off without letting it sit. Results include a cleaner scalp that is rid of problems such as dryness, itchiness and dirt accumulation.

7. Scalp Treatment

According to the Korean hair care routine, scalp treatment is at the core of good hair health. There are masks, scrubs and cleansers available for your scalp too. These will help revitalize your scalp and get rid of dandruff and dry scalp.

It is recommended you use a scalp mask once a week after shampooing, unless it is a pre-shampoo hair mask that can be directly applied on your hair using nozzles. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it off.

8. Toner

Various scalp toners come with a range of benefits each such as clearing up the scalp, preventing hair fall and hair thinning, volumizing hair and soothing inflammation. A hair toner can have antimicrobial, hydrating and deep-cleaning properties or could be loaded with nutrients.

Using the right hair toner can also help prevent hair damage caused by pollution. It is recommended you use a scalp toner after a shower. Pat your hair slightly dry with a towel so that it is not wet anymore and spray the scalp toner onto your scalp.

9. Serum

A scalp serum helps nourish your scalp from deep within and keeps your hair hydrated for longer. In addition to deep hydration, a scalp serum can also help reduce hair breakage. The biggest advantage to using a serum is that it makes your hair way more manageable. Dry your hair with a towel before massaging the serum in.

10. Overnight Treatment

Once in a while it is good to let your hair recover and become nourished overnight. There are a variety of overnight hair care products which can deeply nourish your locks and repair damaged hair. Speak with a doctor to pick the correct product for your hair type.

Korean Hair Care Tips

• You will find Moroccan oil to be a key ingredient of many Korean hair products designed for intense hair hydration.
• Try to keep your hair protected from damage due to exposure to pollutants or harmful UV rays by using a scarf or a trendy hat.
• Keep in mind that no matter how expensive a product is, if it does not suit your hair type or is not designed for your problem, it could end up making the condition of your hair worse.
• Most Korean diets are packed with Kimchi, a favourite dish among Korean celebrities. Kimchi consists of fermented veggies and seasonings. It is a powerhouse of just the right nutrients, including selenium, which keeps the hair glossy. A study showed that Kimchi and Cheonggukjang helped in increasing the thickness of hair and reducing the effects of balding. (2) Cheonggukjang is nothing but fermented soybean paste that is used widely in Korean dishes.
• If you style your hair regularly, it is extremely important to protect it from heat damage. Apply a heat protectant onto your hair before styling it, this prevents breakage.

How Often Do Celebrities Wash Their Hair?

Korean actress Park shin Hye has stated that she never goes to bed with wet hair and has strongly recommended you blow-dry it before sleep to prevent bacteria build-up in your scalp.

Korean model Irene Kim, who shot to fame for experimenting with a rainbow of hair colours, suggests using leftover face moisturizer in place of hair oil to deal with dry and split ends. Model Tiana Tolstoy has recommended do-it-yourself hair masks for giving your hair deep nourishment.

It is usually recommended that you wash your hair once in two to three days. However, it is tricky to get a correct answer to how often you must wash your hair because it really depends on your hair type.

Not washing your hair often enough can lead to dirt and dry skin build-up in the scalp while washing your hair too much can make it dry and frizzy. So it is important to speak to experts to really understand your hair type and the right way to take care of it.

Wrapping Up

Remember that taking care of your scalp health is at the core of a Korean hair care regimen. Pamper your scalp with treatments, massages and masks. You must speak with an expert to ensure that you pick a product with the right ingredients designed for your concerns. Consulting an expert will also help you rule out any products based on your history of allergies.

Begin By Knowing Your Skin