Wash Day, Rewritten

Wash day used to feel like an obligation stacked on top of everything else. Now I treated it as a scheduled pause. I checked the clock before starting, not to rush, but to make sure I had enough time to move slowly. Hair care, especially for textured hair, benefits from patience more than pressure. Detangling too quickly increases breakage and mechanical damage to the hair shaft (Robbins).

I started by sectioning my hair into four parts. Working in sections reduces tension on the scalp and minimizes unnecessary pulling, which can contribute to traction-related hair loss over time (Callender et al.). I did not aim for perfect parts. Acceptance meant working with what my hands could manage that day.

Before washing, I applied oil to my scalp and lengths. Pre-shampoo oiling has been shown to reduce protein loss in hair, particularly when washing with surfactant-based shampoos (Rele and Mohile). I massaged gently, using the pads of my fingers instead of my nails. Scalp massage can increase blood flow locally, which supports follicle health without guaranteeing growth miracles (Koyama et al.). I did not expect transformation. I expected care.

In the shower, I focused shampoo only at the scalp. Hair does not need to be scrubbed from root to tip to be clean. Cleansing the scalp removes excess sebum and product buildup, while allowing the lather to rinse through the lengths reduces dryness (American Academy of Dermatology Association). That knowledge changed how my arms moved. Less scrubbing. More intention.

Conditioner came next, heavy and generous. I finger-detangled slowly, starting at the ends. Detangling from the tips upward reduces force on knots and decreases hair breakage (Robbins). When my arms tired, I stopped. Freedom meant allowing breaks without guilt. Productivity did not apply here.

After rinsing, I wrapped my hair in a cotton shirt instead of a towel. Traditional terry cloth towels can increase friction, leading to frizz and cuticle damage, especially in curly and coily hair (AAD). The shirt absorbed water without demanding smoothness. Beauty did not require sleekness. It required health.

I applied leave-in conditioner and sealed with cream, then oil. Layering moisture in that order helps reduce transepidermal water loss from the hair shaft (Draelos). I did not chase definition. I chased comfort. My scalp felt calm. My hands stopped aching.

As my hair air-dried, I sat by the window. Sunlight warmed my shoulders but did not touch my scalp directly. Excessive ultraviolet exposure can weaken hair fibers and fade natural pigment over time (Trüeb). Sitting slightly back was another quiet choice toward health.

Acceptance showed up when shrinkage happened. It always did. Shrinkage indicates elasticity and water absorption, both signs of healthy hair (Robbins). I no longer interpreted it as failure. It was evidence that my hair was responding, not resisting.

Freedom came at the end, when I decided not to style it further. No pulling, no stretching, no forcing shape. I left it as it was and made dinner instead. Hair care did not consume the day. It supported it.

Wash day ended without exhaustion. My hair felt clean, my scalp calm, my arms intact. Beauty had arrived without argument. Health had been protected through small decisions. Acceptance allowed the routine to change shape. Freedom meant knowing I could stop.

I marked the calendar lightly. Not as a reminder of work completed, but as proof that care could exist without struggle.

Works Cited (MLA)

American Academy of Dermatology Association. “How to Care for Natural Hair.” AAD, www.aad.org.

Callender, Valerie D., et al. “Hair and Scalp Disorders in Women of Color.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, vol. 80, no. 3, 2019, pp. 569–581.

Draelos, Zoe Diana. Cosmetic Dermatology: Products and Procedures. 2nd ed., Wiley-Blackwell, 2015.

Koyama, Taro, et al. “Effect of Scalp Massage on Stress Hormones and Blood Flow.” Eplasty, vol. 16, 2016, e9.

Rele, Ashwini S., and Ravindra B. Mohile. “Effect of Mineral Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Coconut Oil on Prevention of Hair Damage.” Journal of Cosmetic Science, vol. 54, no. 2, 2003, pp. 175–192.

Robbins, Clarence R. Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair. 5th ed., Springer, 2012.

Trüeb, Ralph M. “Oxidative Stress in Ageing of Hair.” International Journal of Trichology, vol. 1, no. 1, 2009, pp. 6–14.