Are you someone who applies shampoo, lathers it up, and rinses it out, thinking that’s the best way to wash your hair? Same here! But I have news for you, because I recently discovered that this simple routine may actually be counterproductive to achieving healthy, shiny hair.

This revelation came to me during a recent visit to my hairdresser. While I was talking her through what I assumed was a standard, foolproof hair washing routine, I quickly realised that I’ve been washing my hair wrong for my entire life.

The most common mistake made when shampooing hair, according to my hairdresser

Because I always shampoo my entire head and hair (and do this every day), my already fine hair often felt flat and quickly became greasy again. According to my hairdresser Charlotte Probst, however, it mainly comes down to one place: the scalp.

“Cleaning the roots or scalp is much more important for the health of the hair,” she explains to me. “This is where sebum collects, bringing with it excess oils and dirt.” By cleaning the roots with shampoo, the scalp stays healthy and can maintain its balance, resulting in fresh and less greasy hair.

The lengths and ends, which tend to be dry for many people, do not need any extra shampoo. The lengths in particular, which are already dry, only become rougher through regular shampooing. This isn’t necessary: when you rinse out your hair, the shampoo runs through it anyway and washes away any dirt or sweat.

The key difference since only washing my roots

This simple life hack has also been going viral on TikTok for some time.

And it makes perfect sense: By concentrating on the roots, you protect the lengths and ends from becoming frazzled while the most important part – the scalp – is thoroughly cleaned. This keeps the hair healthier, smoother and fresher-looking for longer – and I can personally say that I noticed the effect from day one.

When I shampoo, I now go through my routine like this: First, I lather a small amount of shampoo in my hands and then massage it thoroughly into my scalp and hairline with my fingers.

Next, I rinse it out with water and apply a conditioner to the lengths of my hair. According to Charlotte, this step should definitely be included when washing hair, especially for anyone with dry lengths or split ends. Remember, too, that hair is most fragile when it’s wet so conditioner will help to detangle while not tugging on the roots or snapping off the ends.

This small change in my hair washing routine has even ensured that my hair has more volume through the crown. Now greasy roots are a thing of the past, while the rest of my hair stays beautifully shiny. I seriously wonder why I didn’t know about this trick sooner!

Other common hair washing mistakes

While spending too much time on your ends is one of the most common hair washing mistakes, it’s not the only way we can go wrong in the shower.

Skipping the second round of shampoo

While it may seem like a waste of time (and product), going in with another round of shampoo can transform the cleanliness of your hair. The second shampoo will help pick up anything you missed the first time — you’ll also find you can work up a much better lather after one round.

Forgetting to pre-emulsify

Sticking shampoo directly on your scalp? Chances are, you won’t be able to work up a good lather. Instead, spend a few seconds rubbing the shampoo together between your hands before applying the shampoo to your head.

Not dealing with product build-up

If product builds up on your scalp over time, even the most thorough shampoo session probably won’t be able to get rid of it. Deal with product build-up with a salt scrub and add a scalp scrubbing brush into your routine.

Spending too little time scrubbing

If you find yourself getting bored in the shower and rinsing out your shampoo before it’s really worked itself into a good lather, you won’t get the fresh, clean feel you’re after, so be patient, and get in there.

This feature originally appeared on Glamour Germany.