You might think it’s gross to go without washing your hair for a couple of days, but washing your hair too much can actually ruin your luscious locks. While it’s nice to scrub your head with sweet-smelling shampoo at the end of the day, it’s just not worth the harm it does to your hair. But, the question remains, how often should you wash your hair?
The next time you take a shower, resist the urge to reach for your shampoo. Here’s why you should think twice about washing your hair on a daily basis.
Why You Shouldn’t Wash Your Hair Every Day
Greasy roots are your worst nightmare, so you lather your hair with a palm-full of shampoo. Little did you know that your daily shampoo routine could actually be causing your oily tresses.
Shampoo removes the natural oil (sebum) from your hair. Overdoing it with shampoo causes an adverse reaction from your scalp – it begins to produce even more oil to make up for the oil that the shampoo has stripped.
If frequent shampooing doesn’t make your hair greasier, it’ll definitely make it drier. When your hair has no natural oil, it becomes brittle, dry, and frizzy. The sebum is in your hair to protect it. Without any oil, your hair will become more susceptible to damage and split ends.
Additionally, washing your hair every day can lead to dandruff, or can worsen the condition if you already have it. If you do have it, use these tips to help manage it.
How Often You Should Wash Your Hair According to Your Hair Type and Texture
Not everyone can avoid washing their hair for a whole week and still have it look fabulous. The length of time you can get away with unwashed hair depends on your hair type.
Ask yourself: is your hair naturally greasy or dry? You should also keep in mind whether your hair is curly, straight, or wavy – these factors will help you figure out how often you should wash your hair.
Thin, Oily Hair
When your hair is thin and straight, it’s more likely to become oily. That’s because thin strands get dirty faster, and makes greasy roots more visible.
You might wash your hair every day because of the constant greasiness, but that’s not the best idea even if your hair is naturally oily. It’s best to avoid washing your hair on a daily basis, as excessive washing could make your scalp produce more oil. Instead, wash your hair every other day with a volumizing shampoo such as Aveda Pure Abundance. Also, use these tips to better manage your fine hair.
Medium Thickness, “Normal” Hair
If your hair falls in between too greasy and too dry, that means you can go a little longer without washing your hair. Limit your washes to up to three times per week, and use a refreshing shampoo like Biolage Cleanreset Normalizing Shampoo. That way, your hair can achieve the perfect balance of moisture, making it shiny and soft.
Thick, Dry Hair
When your hair’s on the thicker side, it’s more likely to be drier. With more strands to soak up oil, it deprives your hair of the moisture it needs. Curly hair is also prone to dryness, as oil can’t easily reach the ends of curly strands.
If this sounds like your hair, it’s crucial that you don’t wash it every day. Washing your hair once a week will suffice – that gives enough time for sebum to travel down your strands, resulting in smooth curls.
When you do take the time to wash your hair, try an ultra-moisturizing product like Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo.
Colored Hair
Any hair that’s been dyed requires different care, no matter what type of hair you have. Colored hair is naturally more porous, which means that it soaks up oils and makes your hair less greasy. Plus, washing dyed hair on a daily basis makes the color fade out fast.
Because of this, you can wash your hair every few days, and you won’t have to worry about oily roots or losing any color. To make your color last longer, try the sulfate-free OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo on your wash days.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Even if you have thick hair that doesn’t get oily often, there are still times when you’ll have to give it an extra wash. If you love working up a sweat at the gym or have a physical job, you’re encouraged to wash your hair more frequently.
An excessive amount of sweat and dirt can quickly make your hair appear rather greasy. In this case, it’s recommended that you wash your hair on the days when you hit the gym or have an extra sweaty day at work.
Staying Fresh Between Washes
The answer to how often should you wash your hair comes down to what works best for your hair type and lifestyle. But, what if you’re feeling a little icky between wash days? There are still several things you can do to help freshen your hair and scalp between your regular washings.
Switch to Dry Shampoo
In between wash days, you might notice your hair getting a little too oily for your liking. Refrain from hopping in the shower to wash your hair, and just use dry shampoo instead.
Dry shampoo soaks up the oil on your roots and revives limp hair without the harshness of regular shampoo. Simply spray some Batiste Dry Shampoo in your hair when you notice any grease.
If you want to save some cash, you can use corn starch as a dry shampoo as well. It’s just one of the many household items that you can use in your beauty routine.
One thing to remember, though. Only use dry shampoo once or twice between washings. Just like any other product, the powder in the dry shampoo can build up on your scalp, causing dandruff, dryness, and even thinning follicles.
Brush and Massage Your Scalp
Invest in a good brush and a scalp massager. Brushing and massaging loosen up dirt on your scalp. Simply running your fingers over your scalp can help clean off any loosened dirt. A good boar bristle brush helps evenly distribute the oil from your scalp over the rest of your hair, which keeps your hair looking cleaner and healthier. Consider a boar bristle brush with nylon bristles too, such as the HIPPIH Boar Bristle Hair Brush Set. These help better stimulate the scalp, giving you a brush and massage in one.
Use Plain Water
If you’ve been to the gym or went swimming, rinsing your hair with plain water and letting it dry may be all you need between regular shampooing. While you don’t need to go the route of the no-poo movement, using water to break up dirt and oil versus shampooing daily can make your hair stronger and healthier.
Avoid Heat Styling
If you do need to wash your hair daily for any reason, try to skip heat styling as much as possible. Exposing your hair and scalp to both daily washing and heat styling dries both out and can lead to brittle, dry hair and an itchy scalp.
Consider letting your hair air dry every other day at least. This helps minimize damage.
Consider Special Scalp and Hair Conditions
If you have severe dandruff, hair loss issues, or a medical condition that affects your hair and scalp, talk to your doctor about how often you should wash your hair. For instance, those with extremely fine hair that gets oily within hours of washing need to wash daily, but you’ll likely need a specialty shampoo. Talk with your doctor about the best products to use to treat your specific condition.
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