How to wash and dry your hair

Here are some tips to help you with your hair care routine so that washing, drying and styling your hair is simpler and gives you a confidence boost.

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Washing your hair in the shower

Familiarise yourself with the shower, showerhead and taps, or if you're using a bath, with your showerhead attachment and taps, and check that you know where your shampoo and conditioner bottles are.

Top tip! To tell the difference between the shampoo and conditioner bottles, place a different number of elastic bands over each of the bottles. For example, one elastic band for shampoo, two for conditioner and three for body wash. If you'd rather, you can use any labelling method that makes sense to you like Braille or tactile markers, but try to keep it consistent.

A hand feeling shampoo and conditioner bottles with rubber bands around them

My shampoo and conditioner bottles are identical to the touch, so I put an elastic band around the shampoo bottle.

Linda, guide dog owner

Step-by-step guide to washing your hair

You may find it easier to think of the process of hair washing as several steps:

Turn the shower on and stand with your head under the water flow. If you don’t like the hot water going onto your face, turn away from the shower and tilt your head backwards.

For people with longer hair, divide your hair into four zones: top, back, left, and right, to help you check whether all of your hair is wet.

Once you’ve wet your hair fully, move your head and hands out of the flow of the water so that when you put on the shampoo, it isn’t washed away as soon as you apply it.
Pouring out the right amount of shampoo onto the palm of the hand can be difficult. To make it easier, use a pump-action bottle so you can count out the number of pumps you need to cover all the zones. You can also feel for the pump nozzle to make sure you’re pumping the shampoo into the centre of your cupped palm.

To help you easily find the hair products, keep them in the same place and remember that if you (or someone else) moves them, they should always be put back in their spot.
Our blind hack for using pump-action bottles and hair bands to identify your shampoo from your conditioner.
Once you’ve got the shampoo in your hand, you’ll need to keep your palm facing upwards as you take your hand to your head. For some people who have recently lost their sight, this movement can be tricky and might need practice.

Bring both hands to your head and turn your palms over so they're flat on your head. Massage the shampoo into your hair, working systematically through the four zones you created earlier. You may need some help from family members when first learning this massaging movement.
Top tip! If you’ve not washed your hair before, think about what you’re going to do next so you're clear on the next steps, such as: “I’ve washed the top zone of my hair, now I’m going to massage the shampoo into the bottom zone”. Think about how it feels, for example, it should feel foamy when you have enough shampoo in your hair or slimy when you’ve put the conditioner on.
Stand under the flow of water to rinse the shampoo off your hair.

Use the same massaging movements you used when shampooing your hair to make sure each zone is thoroughly rinsed.

If your hair feels foamy or slimy, then the hair product hasn't been completely washed out and you’ll need to repeat the rinsing process for each zone.
After the shampoo has been rinsed out of your hair, measure out the right amount of conditioner for your hair type in the palm of your hand, using a pump-action bottle.

Rub your hands and fingers together and run your fingers through your hair, rather than massaging it into your hair.

Apply it to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, avoiding the roots. If conditioner is applied to the scalp or the roots, it can appear greasy and flat after your hair has dried.

Leave the conditioner on your hair for one to three minutes before washing it off using the rinsing method above.

If this a new independent living skill for you, practise some of these steps separately to build up your confidence and perfect your technique.

Drying your hair

Familiarise yourself with the hairdryer before you use it for the first time. If you find it difficult to identify the settings, place tactile markings such as bump-ons or Tacti-mark to help you find the controls you need.

If you have some remaining vision and want to take a closer look at the hairdryer’s settings, use a magnifier or other low vision aid. Read our viewing or reading nearby objects page for a guide to using low vision aids and your smartphone or tablet.

To help you see where you're blow-drying, use a magnifying mirror. Some magnifying mirrors can be mounted on the wall or stuck onto an existing mirror and have an adjustable arm to make looking into it more comfortable.

Women blow drying her hair in front of a mirror while sitting in a chair

Step-by-step guide to drying your hair

First, brush your hair so that there are no tangles.
Use the hand that’s not holding the hairdryer to gauge the heat and how close the hairdryer needs to be to your hair without the heat causing you harm.
Then dry your hair in sections, working your way around your head, and using your free hand to judge when your hair is dry.
Once you've finished, brush your dry hair to smooth out any tangles.
For safety, make sure you switch the hairdryer off when you’re not using it and let it cool on a heat-resistant surface. You should also never use a hairdryer anywhere near water.

Blow-drying your hair isn't always practical or convenient, so maybe save yourself some time by letting it air dry now and again.

Styling your hair

Choosing and maintaining a style can be difficult if you have sight loss.

A shorter hairstyle is easier to maintain and style but will mean more hair appointments and money.

Styling products

There’s a wide range of hair styling products from gel, putty and clay to wax, mousse and hair spray. It’s important you know exactly what the hair product does and how to use it before you apply it to your hair.

If you have some remaining vision, read the bottle for directions for use, using a magnifier or low vision aid if needed. You could read the product's instructions on the company's website or request them in your preferred accessible format, such as Braille.

Watch Emily Davison, an influential voice from the visually impaired community, demonstrate how to curl your hair.

I keep my hairbrushes in a tin with the handles facing up. They’re easier to find and identify safely.

Margaret, guide dog owner

Hair's done! Next read our great tips for nail care