Shampoo and Conditioner Basics
Hair, Shampoo and Conditioner
Lesduur is: 60 minOnderdelen in deze les
Hair, Shampoo and Conditioner
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Learning goal
I can describe the main parts of the hair, recognise common hair conditions, and explain what shampoo and conditioner do.
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What words do you link with healthy hair?
Use this to surface prior ideas such as clean, shiny, soft, smooth, strong or moisturised. Briefly connect student words to the lesson goal: hair parts, hair conditions, shampoo and conditioner.
Cuticle
Cortex
Medulla
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The main parts of a hair
Cuticle - the outer layer
Cortex - the middle layer
Medulla - the inner core
These layers help decide how hair looks and feels.
Keep the explanation simple and linked to salon practice. Students only need to recognise the three layers and connect them to how products affect the hair.
Cuticle, cortex and medulla
The cuticle is the outside of the hair, so it is the part most affected by washing, brushing, heat and products. The cortex gives the hair much of its strength and shape. The medulla is the inner part of the hair shaft.
Emphasise that conditioner mainly works on the cuticle, which links this slide to the later shampoo and conditioner slides.
Why the cuticle matters
A smooth cuticle helps hair look shiny
A rough cuticle can make hair look dull
An open or damaged cuticle can lead to tangles
Hair products often aim to protect or smooth this layer
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Which part is the outer layer of the hair?
Medulla
Cuticle
Cortex
Root
Tests recognition of the three hair layers. 'Root' is a plausible confusion because students may know it as a hair part, but it is not one of the three layers taught here.
Hair structure
The cuticle is the outer layer of the hair. The cortex is the middle layer and helps give hair strength and shape. The medulla is the inner core.
All three blanks are key terms from the first subtopic. Students should match each layer to its position.
Hair conditions
Hair and scalp do not all have the same needs. Some hair needs more moisture, some needs better cleansing, and some needs gentle care because it is weak or damaged.
Use this as a bridge into the named conditions. Keep the focus on noticing differences before choosing products.
Common hair conditions
Dry - lacks moisture and can feel rough
Oily - has excess oil and can look greasy
Normal - looks balanced and healthy
Dandruff - flakes from the scalp
Damaged - hair is weak, rough or broken
Scalp or hair problem
Hair type
Make sure students do not confuse oily hair with dirty hair. Oily hair is linked to excess natural oil on the scalp and hair.
Dry and oily hair
Dry hair often needs moisture and gentle care
It may feel rough or look dull
Oily hair needs effective cleansing
It may look greasy soon after washing
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Dandruff, normal and damaged hair
Dandruff shows as flakes on the scalp
Normal hair is balanced, not too dry or oily
Damaged hair may break easily
Damaged hair often needs extra care and moisture
What colour flakes are dry scalp?
White
You can mention common causes of damage such as heat styling or chemical treatments, but keep the student slide focused on recognising the condition.
Which hair condition has excess oil?
Dry
Damaged
Oily
Normal
Checks the named conditions. This also reinforces that oily hair means excess natural oil, not simply dirty hair.
Which hair condition may need extra moisture and gentle care?
Dry hair
Oily hair
Normal hair
Dandruff
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What shampoo does
Shampoo cleanses the hair and scalp. It removes dirt, oil and product build-up so the hair and scalp feel fresh and clean.
Use the exact wording from the brief: cleanses the hair and scalp. The extra examples simply unpack what cleansing means.
Shampoo and the scalp
Shampoo works mainly to clean
It helps remove excess oil
It helps keep the scalp fresh
Different hair conditions may need different shampoos
Link back to hair conditions: oily hair may need more frequent cleansing, while dry or damaged hair may need a gentler shampoo.
What is the main job of shampoo?
Add shine
Clean the scalp
Close the cuticle
Cleanse hair and scalp
The exact taught phrase is 'cleanses the hair and scalp'. 'Clean the scalp' is close but incomplete, so students must choose the full idea.
Using shampoo
Shampoo cleanses the hair and scalp. It removes dirt, oil and product build-up. This helps the scalp feel fresh and clean.
This anchors the main function of shampoo and its simple effects using wording already seen on the slides.
What conditioner does
Conditioner helps the hair after shampooing. It works mainly on the outside of the hair to improve how the hair feels, looks and behaves.
Set up the next slide by reminding students that the outer layer is the cuticle.
Benefits of conditioner
Closes the cuticle
Smoothes the cuticle
Adds shine
Support for hair care
Effect on the hair
Replaces moisture
Helps to detangle hair
Keep the exact benefit list clear and simple, as these are core points students may need to recall accurately.
Why conditioner helps
A smoother cuticle reflects more light, so hair looks shinier
Moisture helps hair feel softer
Less tangling can make hair easier to manage
This is especially useful for dry or damaged hair
This slide links product function to visible results. It also reinforces why conditioner is important for certain hair conditions.
Which is a benefit of conditioner?
Removes flakes
Smoothes cuticle
Adds excess oil
Cleanses scalp
Compares conditioner with shampoo and with scalp problems. The correct answer is taken directly from the conditioner benefits list.
What conditioner does
Conditioner helps after shampooing. It can close the cuticle, add shine and replace moisture. It also helps to detangle hair.
Use this to reinforce the most important conditioner benefits in simple language. 'Close' echoes the taught phrase 'closes the cuticle'.
Which hair needs conditioner most, and why?
Students may mention dry hair or damaged hair because conditioner smoothes the cuticle, replaces moisture, adds shine and helps detangle. Accept either or both and ask for a simple reason.
What is one thing you learned today?
Reflection only. Encourage short answers about parts of hair, hair conditions, shampoo, or conditioner.
Shampoo Techniques
Open with the idea that shampooing is not just cleaning hair; it also supports scalp comfort, client care, and preparation for later hairdressing services.
Learning goal
I can explain and identify the shampoo techniques rotary, effleurage and petrissage.
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What words come to mind when you hear scalp massage?
Use this to surface prior ideas about comfort, cleansing, pressure, relaxation and technique before naming the three methods.
Why technique matters
Shampooing should clean the hair and scalp effectively
Good technique helps the client feel comfortable and relaxed
Controlled hand movements avoid tangling, scratching or discomfort
Different massage actions create different effects on the scalp
This slide sets up the central question: why use different shampoo techniques instead of one general rubbing motion? Keep the focus on professional practice.
Three core techniques
In professional shampooing, hand movements are chosen with purpose. Rotary uses circular movements, effleurage uses smooth gliding strokes, and petrissage uses kneading actions. Each technique is suited to a different feel and effect during the service.
Clarify that students should learn both the movement and its purpose. This is about recognising controlled technique, not random scalp rubbing.
Rotary: the basic movement
Small circular movements made with the pads of the fingers
Usually worked across the whole scalp in a steady pattern
Pressure should feel firm but gentle
Nails are not used on the scalp
Emphasise finger pads, not fingertips digging in and never nails. Rotary is often the main cleansing and massage movement during shampooing.
Rotary: what it does
Helps spread shampoo through the hair and over the scalp
Lifts dirt, oil and product build-up during cleansing
Stimulates the scalp through repeated circular action
Feels thorough and controlled when applied evenly
You can mention that even coverage matters: students should move methodically rather than staying in one area too long.
Using rotary well
Keep the client's head supported
Work from one area of the scalp to the next
Maintain an even rhythm
Adjust pressure to suit client comfort and hair density
A common mistake is rushing or using too much pressure. Link technique to client care as well as cleansing.
Which movement describes rotary shampooing?
Gliding strokes
Circular finger pads
Kneading lifts
Sharp scratching
Distractors match the other techniques or a common error. Rotary uses small circular movements with the pads of the fingers, not nails.
Rotary recall
Rotary uses small circular movements with the pads of the fingers. It helps spread shampoo and should be worked in an even pattern across the scalp while keeping the client supported.
All three blanks come directly from the rotary teaching block: movement, hand contact point and methodical coverage.
Effleurage: smooth strokes
Light, soothing gliding movement
Carried out with the palms or fingers
Usually follows the natural direction of the hair
Creates a calm, gentle sensation
Students may know stronger massage movements better than lighter ones. Stress that effleurage is controlled and deliberate, not weak or ineffective.
Effleurage: purpose
Helps distribute product and smooth the hair
Can be used to begin or finish the massage sequence
Encourages relaxation and comfort
Useful when a lighter touch is more suitable
This is a good point to contrast rotary and effleurage: rotary cleanses with circular action; effleurage soothes with gliding action.
When effleurage is useful
Effleurage suits moments when the service needs a gentle transition rather than strong scalp action. It can settle the client at the start, smooth the hair during product application, or finish the shampoo with a calm, polished feel.
Avoid claiming medical effects. Keep the benefits within salon practice: comfort, smoothness, and gentle handling.
When is effleurage especially useful?
For a gentle transition
For strong cleansing circles
For deep kneading pressure
For lifting scalp tissues
Effleurage is the light gliding technique used to begin, smooth or finish the service with a calm feel.
How does effleurage feel different from rotary?
Expected elements: smooth or gliding strokes, light touch, follows the hair direction, soothing or relaxing effect, useful at the start or finish of the shampoo service.
Petrissage: kneading action
Deeper movement than effleurage
Involves kneading, rolling or gentle lifting of the scalp tissues
Uses the hands in a controlled, rhythmic way
Should still feel comfortable and safe
Petrissage may be less familiar in shampoo training, so demonstrate that it is a measured kneading movement rather than pulling hair.
Petrissage: effect
Gives a stronger massage sensation
Works well for stimulating the scalp during the service
Can add variety to the shampoo routine
Needs careful pressure control to avoid discomfort
Highlight that stronger does not mean rougher. Students often need reminding that professional touch is always controlled.
Choosing the right pressure
Check the client's comfort throughout the service
Adapt movements for scalp sensitivity
Thick hair may need firmer control, not harsh force
Consistent pressure makes the technique feel professional
This slide connects all three techniques. The same movement can feel excellent or poor depending on pressure and control.
Comparing the techniques
Main use
Rotary - cleansing and scalp stimulation
Effleurage - smoothing and relaxation
Petrissage - deeper massage effect and variety
Movement
Rotary - circular finger-pad action
Effleurage - light gliding strokes
Petrissage - kneading and rolling action
Use this comparison to help students distinguish the techniques clearly. It resolves the lesson by showing that each movement has a distinct practical role.
Which technique gives a deeper massage effect?
Rotary
Effleurage
Rinsing
Petrissage
Petrissage uses kneading, rolling or gentle lifting to create a stronger massage sensation, but still with control.
Technique comparison
Rotary uses circular finger-pad action for cleansing and scalp stimulation. Effleurage uses light gliding strokes for smoothing and relaxation. Petrissage uses kneading and rolling action for a deeper massage effect.
This checks whether students can match each named technique to its key movement and purpose from the comparison slide.
What is one thing you will remember about these techniques?
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Which technique felt hardest to tell apart, and why?
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Glossary
rotary - a shampoo technique using circular movements with the pads of the fingers
effleurage - a light gliding massage movement used to soothe and smooth
petrissage - a kneading massage movement that gives a deeper scalp action
scalp - the skin covering the head where the hair grows
pressure - the amount of force used during a movement
rhythm - a steady repeated pattern of movement
client comfort - the client's sense of ease and wellbeing during the service
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What helped you understand this lesson best?
Reflection only. Students may mention diagrams, lists, matching hair conditions, or comparing shampoo and conditioner.
Glossary
cuticle - the outer layer of the hair
cortex - the middle layer of the hair
medulla - the inner core of the hair
dry hair - hair that lacks moisture
oily hair - hair with excess oil
dandruff - flakes from the scalp
damaged hair - hair that is weak, rough or broken
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Glossary
normal hair - hair that is balanced and healthy
shampoo - a product that cleanses the hair and scalp
conditioner - a product that smoothes the hair and helps replace moisture
detangle - to remove knots and make hair easier to comb
shine - the healthy-looking light reflected from smooth hair
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