This document provides information on hair care and hair washing procedures for patients. It defines hair washing as cleaning a patient's hair who cannot do it themselves using shampoo or soap. The purposes of hair washing are to keep hair clean, promote growth, prevent loss and infections. The document outlines the preparation, equipment, steps of hair washing including assessment, positioning the patient, washing, rinsing and drying the hair. It also covers hair care for patients with pediculosis (lice infestation).

2. HAIR CARE
BY,
PREETI SHARMA
M.Sc. NURSING 1ST YR.

3. INTRODUCTION
Hair wash is a special care of the hair may be
required for patients who are in bed for the
prolonged period of time. A person’s appearance
and feeling of well-being usually depends on the
way the hair looks and feels. Normal hair and scalp
are neither dry nor oily and show no evidence of
flaking. A well balanced diet is essential for the
health of the hair. Keeping the scalp clean by
brushing and shampooing will help to relieve the
dandruff.

4. DEFINITION OF HAIR
WASH
• Hair washing defines that is one of general care
provided to a client who cannot clean the hair by
himself/ herself.
Or
• Cleaning of hair with shampoo or soap to remove
dirt, oil and odour on scalp and hair, for a helpless
patient in bed is called as hair washing in hospital
setting.

5. PURPOSE OF HAIR WASH
• To keep the hair clean and healthy.
• To promote the growth of hair.
• To prevent loss of hair.
• To prevent itching and infection.
• To prevent tangles.
• To prevent accumulation of dirt, dandruff and oils.
• To stimulate circulation.
• To observe the scalp.
• To destroy pediculi.

6. PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
• Check the physician’s orders to see the specific
precautions if any, for the movement and
positioning of the client.
• Assess the general condition of the client, the
condition of the scalp and hair and the need for
shampoo.
• Check the client’s preference for soap, shampoo, oil
etc.
• Assess the client’s mental state to follow direction.
• Check the articles available in the unit.

7. PREPARATION OF ARTICLES
ARTICLES PURPOSE
A tray containing
• Bath towels (2)
• Face towel
• Mackintosh (2)
• Cotton balls
• Oils
One to protect the pillow
and the other one to dry the
hair.
To protect eyes.
One to make a trough and
the other one to protect the
pillow and bed clothes.
To plug in ears.
To apply on hair

8. Cont..
ARTICLES PURPOSE
• Shampoo
• Hair comb
• Kidney tray & paper bag
• Basin (1)
• Bucket (1)
• Mug (1)
• Jugs (2)
•Clean Linen
Shampooing
To comb the hair
To collect the loose hair and
the cotton plug.
To take water
To collect the dirty water.
To pour water.
One for hot water and the
other for cold water.
To change after
shampooing.

9. PROCEDURE
• Perform hand hygiene
• Gather all equipments
• Check the condition of client. Explain the
purpose & procedure to the client.
• Bring and set up all equipments to the
bed-side
• Help the client move his/her head towards
Edge of the bed and remove the pillow from
head.

10. Cont..
• Put another pillow or a cushion under the bending
knee. Make him/her comfortable position.
• Setting mackintosh and towel to the client:
1) Place a mackintosh covered a big towel under the
upwards from the client head to the shoulders of
client
2) Have a big towel around his/her neck
3) Roll another mackintosh to make the shape of a
funnel, by using the way to hold from both sides in a
slanting way. The narrow end should be folded and
put under the client’s neck and the free end should

11. Cont…
be put into the bucket to drain for the waste water.
4) Put the folding mackintosh under the client’s neck.

12. Cont…
• Washing:
1) Brush the hair.
2) Insert the cotton balls into the ears
3) Mix hot and cold water or Wet the hair & wash it
roughly
4) Apply soap or shampoo and massage the scalp well
while washing the hair using fingernails

13. Cont…
5) Rinse the hair
6) Apply conditioner if requested or if the scalp
appears dry
• . Wrapping the hair:
1)Remove the cotton balls from the ears into the
paper bag and mackintosh with the towel from the
client's neck
2) Wrap the hairs in the big towel

14. Cont..
• Drying the hair:
1) Wipe the face and neck if needed
2) Dry the hair as quick as possible
3) Massage the scalp with oil as required
4) Comb the hair and arrange the hair according to
the client’s preference
5) Make the client tidy and provide comfortable
position
• Clean the equipments and replace them to proper
place. Discard dirty.
• Perform hand hygiene

15. AFTER CARE
• Spread the hair over the mackintosh and towel
placed on the pillow and allow it to dry.
• Position to the client in the center of the bed for
comfort and proper alignment.
• Change the linen if wet.
• Offer hot drink.
• Take all articles to the utility room.
• Wash hands.
• Record the procedure in the nurse’s record with
time and date.

16. DEFINITION OF PEDICULOSIS
Pediculosis is defined as the state of being infected
with lice. Lice or pediculi are small wingless blood
sucking insects which are parasitic on warm
blooded animals.

17. PURPOSE
• To keep the hair clean and healthy.
• To prevent itching and infection.
• To observe the scalp.
• To destroy pediculi.
• To provide a sense of well being.

18. PARASITICIDES USED IN
PEDICULOSIS
FLIP CHART

19. PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
• Check the physician’s orders to see the specific
precautions if any, for the movement and
positioning of the client.
• Assess the general condition of the client, the ability
to follow directions.
• Assess the condition of the scalp and the hair.
• Check the articles available in the client’s unit.

20. PREPARATION OF ARTICLES
ARTICLES PURPOSES
A tray containing
• Bath towels (2)
• Face towel
• Mackintosh (1)
• A cap
• Safety pin
One to protect the pillow
and the other one to dry the
hair.
To protect eyes.
To protect the pillow and
bed clothes.
To cover the head after
procedure.
To fix the towel in place

21. Cont…
ARTICLES PURPOSES
• Kidney tray
• Paper bag
• Hair comb
• Cotton swab/ Gauze piece
• Vaselline
• Gown, mask & cap
• Bucket with antiseptic
solution
To destroy the lice & to
disinfect the comb.
To collect the loose hair.
To remove the tangles.
To apply the parasiticide or
Vaseline.
To prevent irritation of
parasiticide.
To protect the nurse.
To disinfect the gown &
towel after treatment.

22. PROCEDURE
• Perform hand hygiene
• Gather all equipments
• Check the condition of client. Explain the purpose &
procedure to the client.
• Bring and set up all equipments to the bed-side
• Provide privacy
• Put on the gown, mask & cap
• Protect the pillow and bed with a mackintosh and a
towel. One towel is put on the shoulders.
• Protect the client’s eye with face towel

23. Cont…
• Loosen the hair and comb out the tangles
• Part the hair into small sections and apply the
parasiticides on the hair and scalp.
• Roll up the hair to the top of the head and cover the
head with the cap
• Hair is washed in the following
morning.
• Make the client tidy and provide comfortable
position
• Replace the articles
• perform hand hygiene.

24. AFTER CARE
• Remove the mackintosh & towel from
under the client’s head.
• Tidy up the bed.
• Adjust the position of the client in bed.
• Remove the gown, mask and cap and
put them into the antiseptic solution.
• Take all articles into the utility room.
• Wash hands.

25. Cont..
• Record the procedure with date and time and the
observations made.
• Comb the hair with toothed comb, if living lice
are still found on the head repeat the procedure
with other parasiticides.
• Repeat the procedure after 1 week because the
nits are both affected by the parasiticides.
• Disinfect all the articles.

26. SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
• Hair is made of a tough protein called keratin. A
hair follicle anchors each hair into the skin.
• Blood vessels nourish the cells in the hair bulb, and
deliver hormones that modify hair growth and
structure.
MICROBIOLOGY
• The nurse must wash her hands before & after
procedure to prevent cross infections.

27. Cont…
• Hair care removes the dandruff and
microorganisms.
PHYSICS & CHEMISTRY
• Soap lowers the surface tension of water & helps it
to unite quickly.
• DDT is used as insecticides or removes the
pediculosis.
PSYCHOLOGY
• Relieve the anxiety of the patient by explaining
what the procedure is, what she is going to do.
• Provide privacy by screening.

28. NURSING RESPONSIBILITY
• Check the physician’s orders to see the specific
precautions for the client’s movements and
positioning.
• Assess the general condition of the client and the
ability to follow direction
• Assess the condition of the scalp and the hair
• Check the articles available in the client’s unit

29. CONCLUSION
• Hair washing is a procedure done for maintaining
the cleanliness of hair i.e. free from dandruff, dirt,
nits, lice, flakes, dryness and irritation. Cleanliness
of hair is essential for good hygiene. An unclean
scalp containing dirt, dandruff, excessive sebum and
sweat will allow the growth of micro organisms and
parasites on the scalp.