According to fashion artists, too much washing can leave your hair feeling dry and brittle. Failure to wash it enough can as well see it become dirty and lifeless.
If you’re reading this piece, most likely you’re asking yourself – HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR HAIR?
Without saying much, here are our TIPS to help you find the perfect middle ground for your hair-washing schedule based on your hair type.
More often than not, finding a perfect hair-wash schedule is usually a challenge. The high chances are that you’ve heard people saying that you should wash your hair less frequently for safety reasons. The statement itself is confusing based on the fact that people’s hair varies in terms of texture and styling. Therefore, almost every hair type and styling require a different cleaning schedule.
Does Hair type matter and if Yes, why?!
– Thin hair can get greasy in a day or two, depending on your routines and the environmental factors that are affecting the hair. This means that thin hair might require to be washed more frequently compared to other types of hair;
– Long, thick hair can look clean and lovely for a longer period, so you might need to wash it no more than once or twice per week. Keep in mind that wearing a hat or other hair accessories can get your hair greasy sooner too;
– Coarse hair might do just well without a wash for over a week if you are lucky enough. However, how often you need to wash your hair depends on other factors too such as your lifestyle and activity, so these are just suggestions.
Flat and fine hair
Smooth and exquisite hair is usually attractive and requires gentle care, especially when it comes to the cleaning. As compared to the other types of hair, this specific hair is known for showing more oily roots.
As a result, you may be tempted to wash your hair daily. The daily washing is suitable as it helps clear away the oily patches, but can as well damage your hair.
If you’ve got this type of hair, it’s advisable to cleanse it every other day using a gentle formula. Also, a great dry shampoo can be of much help if it comes in handy.
Thick hair
Thick hair is also another type of hair that is common and yet confusing when it comes to the cleaning. Many people are always tempted to wash this kind of hair now and then which isn’t recommended.
The denser hair follicles can be a disguise and can distribute oil effectively as compared to thinner hair. According to Miles Jeffries, if your hair isn’t very oily, you should stick to a weekly schedule. Jeffries is a renowned hairstylist and one who works in close collaboration with the likes of Tinashe among many other celebrities.
When it comes to a weekly plan, you shouldn’t worry about buildup because shampoo is known for its inflammation-calming and pore-clearing properties. The two features leave the roots of your hair looking happy and clean without feeling stripped.
Wavy hair/loose curls
As compared to the coiled hair type, wavy hair is somewhat complicated when it comes to caring and washing (if interested how to take proper hair care, click here) This type of hair can easily get weighed down by shampoos.
Either way, this hair requires hydration to keep it defined and frizz-free. It’s for this reason that stylists advocate for it to be cleaned every other day using a sulfate-free cleanser. The trick helps achieve a full-bodied and defined look, which is a dream come true for many people.
Tightly coiled hair
As compared to the other types of hair, curly hair is a bit complicated when it comes to maintenance and care, especially when oil is involved. Individuals with this kind of hair struggle with dry ends and greasy roots, which can be annoying.
From an expert’s point of view, scalp oils can’t make their way down the curly hair shafts easily as it is with straight hair shafts. It’s this state that leaves your tightly coiled hair feeling drier as compared to the other hair types.
Therefore, it’s advisable to co-wash your tightly coiled hair every three days. The trick helps add moisture to your beautiful hair. However, for effective results, you must use a sulfate-free cleanser to help clear away the excessive buildup on the scalp.
Damaged hair
The cases of hair damage are common amongst people and are influenced by factors such as coloring, and the use of keratin treatments and relaxers.
The sad bit is that slight damage can leave your flawless hair looking dry, rough, and dull. When it comes to dealing with damaged hair, it’s advisable to clean it at least every three days. You must use a color-safe and non-stripping shampoo for effective results.
According to renowned hairstylists, using this kind of shampoo helps remove the three causes of buildup, which are pollution, hard water, and the products you use for your hair. The shampoo also leaves your hair moisturized, which is the secret to healthy hair. Besides, it repairs the bonds in your hair while leaving it looking silky-soft.
Normal hair
The truth is that there is nothing like healthy hair. However, if your hair doesn’t lie between thick, elegant, curly, or oily, it can somewhat be referred to as usual. For this kind of hair, you can wash it daily using shampoo and not more than every other day. However, you must ensure that the shampoo used is free from stripping chemicals and harsh sulfates.
Your lifestyle and activity also matter
If it feels like your hair is getting greasy hours after washing it, the causes might be related to your lifestyle and the type of activity you do.
Lifestyle choices that influence how often you wash your hair
- You wear your hair in a ponytail most of the time
It is convenient to just put the hair in a ponytail and forget about additional styling. However, most hairstylists warn about pulling the hair to the back of the head. When combing the hair in this direction, the sebum from the roots is transferred to the tips and the hair will look even greasier. More than this, it is often the case that a ponytail needs to be redone a few times during the day to look good. This means that you’ll get your hands in the hair multiple times per day and this means it will get dirty sooner.
- You are not using the right styling products for your hair type
Or it could be that you are using too much of the styling products and this can lead to a build-up at the level of the hair. Hair wax, as well as hair foam, can make the hair greasier as their formula tends to contain hydrating ingredients. Keep in mind that you might be better off with a styling spray if you want to avoid washing your hair too often.
- You don’t clean your hair devices well or often enough
The hairbrush, as well as the straightening wand or the curling iron, needs to be cleaned regularly, otherwise, you might discover that your hair gets greasy within hours after washing it. More than this, using styling devices very close to the roots of the hair can cause your hair to look greasy immediately after styling it as the oils from the scalp are distributed on the hair strands. To keep your hair tools and accessories clean, make sure to check the instructions in the manuals and follow them to the letter.
- Brushing the hair too often
If you were thinking that brushing your hair 100 times per day leads to healthy, glowing hair, you should know this is just a myth. Actually, this habit can make your hair greasy within just a few days. Brushing the hair stimulates the oil production at the level of the scalp, so better avoid doing it too frequently. Instead, you can just focus on detangling the hair to make it more manageable.
Activities that can influence how often you wash your hair
Sometimes is not a matter of a lifestyle choice, but an activity that can influence how often we need to wash your hair. Here are some activities that you can (or cannot or don’t want to) avoid:
- Going to the gym (or jogging, or other sports activities)
During a good workout at the gym, most of us sweat. And not only at the level of the armpits, but even the hair can get a little (or more) damp. This means that if you exercise regularly, the chances are that you’ll need to wash your hair more often compared to others who don’t exercise.
- Cooking
While it can be a relaxing and pleasurable evening activity, cooking certain foods can make your hair smelly and hence trigger the need for frequent washing. So, if you just washed your hair and want to avoid going through it again tonight, avoid frying!
Avoid washing your hair too often using dry shampoo
What if you would have a magic wand, and just wave it around your hair for a little to get glowing, healthy-looking and clean hair? It sounds dreamy, right?
Well, the good news is that such a magic wand for hair is actually available for sale nowadays, and rather affordable, considering the benefits.
We call it dry shampoo and all you need to do is to apply the magic powder on lifeless, greasy hair and get rid of the odors, excess oils at the level of the hair and scalp. More than this, dry shampoo makes your hair more manageable, even if it’s been a while since you washed it.
Main benefits of using dry shampoo:
– It’s an on-the-run solution, this means you can use it after a session at the gym or after jogging in the morning, before heading out to work.
– On a very hot day, you can use it during the day to avoid getting your hair all damp and lifeless.
– You can carry the dry shampoo with you and use it in the morning after a night spent at your friend’s place.
– It eliminates unpleasant smells that can occur even after spending some time in the kitchen cooking.
– It takes just a minute to apply it and the hair is perfectly manageable and ready to be styled.
Potential downsides of using dry shampoo:
– It can become addictive, that’s for sure. In other words, chances are that you’ll tend to want to use it more than actually washing your hair.
– Some dry shampoos can leave behind a white residue that can be visible on the shoulders, especially when wearing dark clothes.
Conclusion
How often should you wash your hair? It is a question that many people are always asking. The truth is that there is no exact answer to this specific question.
Your hair-washing schedule is determined by many factors among them your hair type and lifestyle. Explained in this article is how often you must wash your hair based on your hair type.
Read through each one of the tips to understand a schedule that matches your condition and let us know what you think!
Sources
How Often Do I Need to Shampoo? – WebMD
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair? – HealthLine
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair – NY Times
