Wondering how often should you wash your hair? It’s a big question on many of our lips, seeing how the frequency can often make the biggest difference in your hair’s look and feel. Wash it too much and it will become dry and feeble. Don’t wash it enough and it will become dirty and lifeless. There’s a thin line that can be pretty difficult to tread, but this is only because there are so many things to consider.
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
#1 Hair Type Matters
There is a reason why we have different products for different hair types. Every texture and kind requires particular and specific attention and your wash routine is no exception. Hair with thicker strands can go longer without cleansing whereas thin tresses tend to get dirty and oily quicker. Moreover, whether it’s curly or straight has a say in it as well, with curly locks needing scarcer attention.
#2 Lifestyle and Activity
Here’s something that not that many people consider: the kind of lifestyle you’re leading. More specifically, you should consider how sedentary (or not) you are. The more frequently you work out, the more frequently you should wash your hair. The reason’s pretty simple: sweat piles up, clogs your pores and dirties your mane faster.
Instead of washing your hair post gym- try putting it high up on your head so it isn’t catching as much sweat. Another great way is dry shampoo… I live for this stuff, we’ll get to more of that later. And lastly- try using a texturizing spray to help your hair keep its natural texture instead of piling it with oils.
Those are three ways you can effectively avoid washing your hair after working out, all the while looking, smelling, and feeling good. Plus, messy hair pairs well with the natural flush that comes with exercise and physical activity, which sends blood coursing through your veins.
#3 Some Precise Guidelines
Alright, we presume ‘as often as possible’ isn’t that much of a clear instruction. Just how often is often?
Generally speaking, dry hair types should shampoo a maximum of two times a week. On another hand, oily hair types may require washing on a daily basis. If you have normal hair, you have the luxury of popping into the shower whenever you feel like you need to.
Really, it depends on your hair type. Hair that’s thicker and curlier can go without a wash for longer than hair that is fine. How processed your hair is will also come into play, because the oils in your scalp don’t travel down the hair shaft as quickly in hair that’s coarse, curly or processed as it does for gals with fine hair.
If you’re like me and feel icky without a shower, try a body shower. You can invest in a shower cap to keep your hair dry while you cleanse the rest of your body. Or try just rinsing your hair without using any product. Sometimes thats all the hair needs is a little water rather than a full wash.
We are well trained to lather, rinse and repeat. But chances are you’re washing your hair far too often.
Instead of the traditional shampoo-and-conditioner routine, many experts say we should be co-washing more — short for conditioner-only washing — embracing a little grease and letting our hair’s natural oils do their job.
#4 Brunettes Get Special Treatment
Dark haired? Then consider washing your hair twice a week at maximum regardless of your type and texture. This is because shampooing brunette hair too frequently will make it lose some of its pigments, resulting in a faded and mousey color. The pigments also help to keep the hair looking less oily. Darker hair colors tend to keep their shine longer, and frequent shampooing can damage that natural shine.
#5 When In Doubt Go Dry
It can become quite a hassle to constantly measure the frequency of your rinses and balance out your hair’s health with its appearance. What to do when you want to get rid of dirt but you don’t want to coat your tresses in too much shampoo? Opt for dry shampoo instead. It absorbs dirt, dust, and excess sebum, making it the ideal quick fix for that big meeting that you’d rather not wash your hair for.
In very simple terms, dry shampoo is a substance that cleans the hair without the need of water. It basically works by absorbing excess oil from your hair and scalp and makes it feel and smell freshly washed. The ingredients in the spray dry shampoo are usually a mixture of absorbing agents, aerosol propellants, conditioning ingredients, solvents, and fragrance.
Dry shampoo is not meant to replace regular washing with water, rather, to help lengthen the intervals between washes. They usually come in two forms; powder and aerosol spray. Whichever your choice, be sure to choose one that closely matches your color.
Dry shampoos are not just great for lengthening the period between washes, though—they are a perfect choice when a normal full shampoo is just not practical. A quick brush of Tigi or Kenra dry shampoo, for instance, can save the day on those mornings when you snooze your alarm one too many times and when you finally wake up, you barely have time to slip on your pants, leave alone wash your hair. And because it adds texture and fullness to your hair, it’s can be a great styling product to help your updos stay in place
If you prefer a natural alternative to commercial dry shampoos, which can sometimes contain several chemicals to help in the absorbing process, you will find organic dry shampoos which are made exclusively from natural ingredients. Better yet, if you have a light hair, you may find it convenient to make your homemade dry shampoo.
Dry shampoos are not only a big time and money saver, but they work hard to keep your hair looking, smelling and feeling fresh all day long. It will lessen washing and traditional shampooing which often weakens your hair strands, fades your dyes and disrupts your hair style. So if you need to get rid of dirt and excess oil in your hair, just spray your favorite brand in your roots, work it in and brush it out for a refreshing new look.
#6 The Universal Formula
If it’s too difficult to figure out all these factors that influence frequency, you’ll probably rejoice to know that there is an average recommendation. If you wash your hair once every 2-3 days, you should be just dandy.
The less you wash your hair, the more it trains its self to adapt to less washing. When your hair realizes it isn’t being stripped down as often by the shampoo and other hair products, it realizes it can produce less oil. Training your hair can take lots of time, but it is super worth it in the long run.
Wrapping Up
So, how often should you wash your hair? Generally speaking, once every three days at maximum. If you want the best of results, however, consider diving into the specifics of your hair. Ponder texture, styling, how you treat it, the kind of lifestyle you’re leading, and other factors which can culminate to the perfect washing routine for you.