How often do you wash your hair?
Do you have to shampoo them daily or do you prefer sticking to washing them a couple of times in a week?
Well, most women hate the rough look and greasy feel of un-shampooed hair and so, they can’t help but wash them daily. Some lucky women don’t have to face this issue. They can rock a fresh hair look even if they haven’t shampooed for a couple of days (thank the Lord if you’re one)!
But does the frequency of hair washing matter?
Well, there has been a lot of discussion going on about it. You have likely heard that daily hair washing isn’t good for your hair and scalp. What can be a bigger bubble-breaker!
Your hair washing frequency should depend on your hair type, scalp texture, oiliness of the hair, and your personal preference. There’s no medical reason to shampoo your hair. The goal is to clean the hair and the scalp – and so, it’s more of a personal choice. Chemical-packed shampoos and hair care products may damage your hair, so it’s better to avoid using them daily.
Is It Okay to Wash Your Hair Every Day?
While shampooing does make your hair look fresh, alive, and beautiful, it may be damaging those strands in the long run.
You may not realize it now but daily washing of hair can make them brittle and prone to breakage, as shampoos tend to trap oil to make your hair look and feel dry.
Is It Okay to Wash Your Hair Three Times a Week?
YES! In fact, experts suggest that the perfect frequency of hair washing is two to three times a week.
But again, there are a few exceptions. We’ll get into the details in a while.
Is It Okay to Wash Your Hair Once a Month?
Now, this might sound off but let’s surprise you by telling that it is becoming a popular trend among women.
Women who’re courageous enough to avoid shampooing their hair for a month, say this has actually improved the health of their hair. It’s still important that you wash your hair with water after every few days and find a way to cleanse your scalp.
If you fail to clean your scalp, bacteria, dirt, and fungus will get accumulated on the scalp, causing discomfort, dandruff, and crazy itching. It may even result in a bacterial or fungal infection.
Most importantly, the dirty scalp will hinder your hair’s growth and cause the hair strands to become fragile. So, you have to be smart about it. If you wish your hair to be long, healthy, and shiny, you better start taking proper care of your scalp!
What Happens If You Wash Your Hair Every Day?
You must know that many experts consider daily hair washing as over-washing. And over-washing causes the natural oils in your hair to drain. Sebum, in particular, is an essential oil produced by your scalp that keeps it hydrated and fresh.
Your shampoo works as an emulsifier to capture, trap, and remove excess oils and dirt. Having some dirt in your hair is normal and you need some oil in there. It’s easy to see how daily shampooing can make your hair dry and lifeless over time.
Experts suggest that the only people who may need to wash their hair daily include those with super oily scalp and those who exercise and sweat a lot. Otherwise, shampoo your hair two to three times a day and you’ll be good to go!
How to Keep Your Hair Clean Without Washing Them Daily
A simple way to limit your use of shampoo on hair is by washing your hair with water on days when you feel the need to get rid of the grease.
Some Alternatives to Shampooing
Shampooing isn’t the only way of washing your hair – at least not anymore!
Here are a few alternative solutions for you:
Dry Shampoo
Have you ever heard about dry shampoo?
It’s a miracle product for people whose hair tend to get extra oily the very next of washing. This powdery, mostly-fragranced spray works to absorb the oil on your scalp. Spray some product on the hair roots and it’ll make your hair look fresh and voluminous in an instant!
Using a dry shampoo will extend the time between your shampooing sessions, especially for people with thin and oily hair. Using the product for days may result in ugly accumulation that irritates the scalp.
Conditioner Washing
Conditioner washing or co-washing is a technique when you use a conditioner to wash your hair instead of a shampoo. If your hair falls in the normal to dry range, chances are that you can replace your shampoo with a conditioner that works for you. It will be an added benefit if you don’t use heavy styling products. If you’re wondering how often you should condition your hair, we wrote a whole article on the topic.
Detergent-free Shampoos
Also known as ‘no-poos’, detergent-free shampoos don’t contain sulfates and harmful detergents. They are formulated to clean and condition your hair without robbing it of its oil. If you have dry or curly hair, or if you don’t want to damage your hair with daily shampooing, detergent-free shampoos may be the best for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Have any questions about the ideal hair washing frequency?
We’ve answered a few most asked questions below!
How often should I wash my chemically-processed hair?
If you have recently colored, bleached, or relaxed your hair, you should know that it’s porous and so, it’ll neither absorb oil nor become greasy too often.
You can go a few days without shampooing your hair. Especially if you’ve dyed your hair. It’s better to not wash them daily because they’ll lose their pigment with every wash.
How should I take care of my curly and coarse hair?
If you have curly or coarse hair, sebum may not travel down the hair, so your hair may look and feel dry most of the time. This means you’ll be fine if you don’t shampoo for several days.
The ends of curly hair often dry up. You should consider washing your hair with a good moisturizing shampoo. Then dab some moisturizer on the ends, as needed, after showering for a fresh look.
When is it better to co-wash?
Co-washing is a technique perfect for people with an afro, curly hair, and dry hair. If that describes you, you should consider avoiding shampoo. Instead, use a conditioner to get rid of excess oil, dirt, and residue of styling products. Co-washing will protect your hair from stripping.
In a Nutshell
The ideal frequency of hair washing depends on your hair type, oiliness of your hair, and scalp condition. Most experts suggest avoiding daily shampooing because it can rob your scalp of essential oils, making your hair dry, weak, and brittle.
You should aim to wash them two to three times a week. And to combat greasiness between washes, you can use water, conditioner or dry shampoo.