Posted on August 03, 2021

How often should you wash your hair?

Category:HAIR CARE

Contemporarily, we are not short on thoughts and ideas of how to go about different hair treatments; a quick look through the internet and the information is overwhelming, some of the ideas are easily relatable and easy to execute while others require professionals to execute. One of the most common queries is how often should one wash their hair without worrying about breaks or any other negative effects that may come from not doing it, or even from overdoing it. We try to answer this question as honestly as research allows us; also guided by experience.

Firstly, as a truism; there isn’t an all-encompassing number of times or frequency for one to follow while washing their hair, but there are factors that can very well determine and guide when and how one should wash their hair; one of the major factors is the hair type. Other factors we may as well hinge on include age and daily activities that one indulges in and how these activities may impact the general outlook of their hair. Shampooing more often as and when needed is okay if your hair demands this more often. But you should keep in mind the effects of washing as we will discuss them further below. Shiny hair is healthy hair so hair that lacks shine is not moisturized; and since shampoo washes out natural oils, it leaves the inner layer unprotected.

Factors that may influence the frequency of washing include:

• Age – Children & older adults don’t usually produce as much sebum as teens or adults in their 20’s & 30’s. Although, while you once may have struggled with an oily scalp, your scalp can become drier as you age, forcing you to change routines & products.
• Dandruff – this can be due to a dehydrated scalp environment, usually from over-washing or maybe due to skin problems, and in that case, you would benefit from a dandruff-specific shampoo to help cleanse & soothe.
• Dirt, Pollen & Sweat – This effect may be influenced by activities: cleaning, gardening, or working out can leave your hair feeling & looking oily or dirty. Dirt, dust & pollen can become trapped on hair leading to a dull buildup. We do recommend shampooing after heavy workouts or any messy tasks to keep your locks fresh & dirt-free.
• Styling Products – Can build up on your hair & scalp creating damage & irritation. For frequent or heavy product users this may mean you need to wash more frequently to reduce the build-up problem.

Below are some handy tips for every hair type, along with some generally helpful tips.

• Curly/Wavy Hair

This type of hair is highly prone to dryness due to the scalp’s natural oils which are unable to easily coat the coiled or waved strands; washing too strips the scalp of oils and may lead to dry, frizzy hair because as your scalp dries out; so does your hair. In this case, you do not need to wash as often because over-washing can cause frizz, unruliness of hair, and split ends. This hair type is usually always thirsty; keeping your curly/wavy hair moisturized is a priority. Use a shampoo labeled as Hydrating Shampoo for this hair type to quench the thirst but keep those curls or waves clean & bouncy.

• Fine Hair

Generally, if your hair is fine then it’s likely you tend to wash more frequently. In particular, if your hair is straight, it tends to become easily coated in sebum causing the hair to look and feel greasy. This type of hair needs a gentle daily shampoo that cleanses while delivering nourishment to your fine hair without the weight down.

• Normal Hair

This is hair that doesn’t require too much attention as it tends to no extremes, only a few lucky ones have this kind of hair; it’s not too oiled and not too dry. The frequency of washing this kind of hair entirely depends on the person’s feelings or the independent assessment of the need to wash more or less in a definite period.

• Thick\Coarse Hair

For thick or coarse-haired ladies, it’s difficult to go more than several days without washing. This type of hair is washed more often and the process is only exhaustive with specific shampoos; those that soften and make the hair more manageable.

Remember: Whether it’s a “leave-in” or a “Rinse-out” hair conditioner, pay special attention to the ends of your hair because they are the oldest part of your hair. The condition of the ends can tell when you are overdoing a routine or when a specific routine has run its course. Be free to try out new products and routines to find the best balance for your hair.