The Dos and Don'ts of Hair Washing: How Often Should You Shampoo Your Hair?
The shampoo industry is vast. The global shampoo market was worth over $30 billion in 2021 and is predicted to grow to more than $39 billion by 2028. The organic shampoo sector is growing rapidly too and it is expected to reach $1.36 billion by 2025.
However, this growth might be attributed to countless people washing their hair too often. Different hair care routines work for different people due to their hair condition, and type. But, there are some things that everyone should follow to take care of their locks, and this short article will hopefully help you to understand why.
So, how often should you wash your hair, what are the risks of overwashing it, and what other dos and don’ts are there with hair washing?
What could happen if you washed your hair every day?
Some people do actually need to wash their hair every day. It is a minority though. If you lived in an area with high humidity, exercised a lot which resulted in sweating, or had an excessively greasy scalp, then you may have to wash your hair daily.
Your scalp produces an oil called sebum. This helps hair stay hydrated by sealing in moisture. Washing too often will remove this protective oil, and will result in frizzy, dry hair. Products such as keratin smoother can be used to remove frizz, and hide the effects of split ends that washing too often can cause.
But, ideally, you will find a hair-washing routine that keeps your hair from suffering the ill effects of washing away natural oils. If your hair is cleaned too often you will make it more likely to break as it becomes brittle, and your scalp will also become dry.
Does your hair type determine how often you should wash it?
There are different hair types, and some people suffer more from dry or greasy hair than others. Hair dye will also cause individuals to take more care when washing.
Most people of European ancestry have straight hair with curly locks being the rarest. About 45% will have straight hair, 40% are classed as having wavy hair, and just 15% or less are curly. Genes play a big part, and variants in the trichohyalin gene can determine if hair is straight or not.
If your hair is straight then you will need to wash it more often than if it was curly or wavy. Straight hair tends to appear greasy much more quickly than wavy hair. It could be recommended that straight hair is washed once every 2 or 3 days. Wavy hair should be washed every 3 to 4 days. But, curly hair may need washing just once a week according to your lifestyle. The reason for this is individuals with curls are more likely to have dry hair.
What are the does and don’ts of hair washing?
Here are 3 dos for hair washing, and 3 don’ts to help you protect your locks no matter if they are curly, straight, blonde, or sky-blue pink.
1 DO use conditioner
Conditioners help to lock in nutrients in hair by sealing the cuticles. They are also essential for anyone who has dyed their hair.
There is a big trend for pink hair Asian style dye-jobs now, and conditioner can help the colour to last longer, and avoid becoming brittle or dry. You may even want to skip the shampoo and go directly to your conditioner for better hair colour protection.
Use a conditioner specially formulated for hair that has been colour-treated too.
2 DON’T use water that is too hot
A hot shower can be highly enjoyable and help to relax tired muscles. Yet, hot water isn’t your hair’s friend.
If you use water that is too hot you will see more frizz and dry your scalp out. Your hair may become brittle, and you could end up with dandruff. It is also better to avoid hard water.
If you cleanse your hair often in hard water your skin and hair will become dry. This can see you needing to seek out treatment for hard water hair damage.
3 DO use the right shampoo
There are hundreds of different types and brands of shampoo in the world, and they are targeted at different hair conditions and types. If you have greasy hair then look for the best kind of shampoo for your hair.
You might need to use a few products before you find what suits your hair. Clarifying shampoo is recommended now for those with greasy hair as it cleans deeper. But, it should be used infrequently as it can cause dryness too.
4 DON’T go too hard on your scalp
Scalps are perhaps more sensitive than you realise, and they get more sensitive with age. You may be grey haired and radiant, but you should go easy on your scalp as you gracefully age.
Using nails to scrub scalps will result in irritated skin. Broken or inflamed skin can also result in infection potentially. Clean the scalp by gently massaging it for a short period.
5 DO rinse properly
Take time and proper attention to rinsing out shampoo and conditioner unless you are using a no-rinse type. If shampoo is not rinsed away it will lead to buildup.
6 DON’T use the wrong towel
Your hair is gentle and requires care to keep it smooth, and healthy. The cuticle is the outer section of your hair, and this can be damaged in a number of ways. One of which is by using a towel that is too abrasive.
One of many healthy hair tips for men and women is to use a hair dryer set at a cooler, lower setting, instead of a towel. However, if you prefer a towel then choose one made from gentler material such as microfiber.
Summary
The frequency with which you wash your hair will depend on your type, what condition it is in, and your lifestyle. Your region may affect this too if you live in a humid or hot place.
It isn’t only how often you wash your hair that matters, but how you go about it too. Cold water is better for hair health than hot water. Conditioners help hair to stay healthy, but vigorously rubbing your scalp can harm it.
Follow the dos and don’t of hair washing, but trust your judgement too on what shampoo works for you, and how often you should use it
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