October 12th, 2018

How Often Should I Wash My Hair?

Well, to answer that question, we must first look at our hair type. Here's why...

Hair Type Matters
There is a reason why there are different products for different hair types. Every texture and hair type requires particular and specific attention and your wash routine is no exception. Hair with thicker strands can go longer without cleansing, while thin tresses tend to get dirty and oily quicker. Curly hair tends to be on the dry side, so can go longer without washing, while straight hair may require more frequent washing. Coarse hair can be left for longer without a good scrub, while silky hair can’t...you get the picture!

How to Wash Your Hair By Hair Type
Depending on your hair type — thick, thin, oily, dry, natural, curly, colored, etc. — your locks will have their own set of needs.

Finding the right balance of hair washing for your hair type takes some trial and error, but every head of hair has that perfect balance. Pay attention to your scalp and hair appearance for the signals because over or under-washing have telltale signs (dryness and oiliness).

Ladies with fine, thin hair should also try to avoid shampoos containing certain ingredients. For starters, women with oily hair typically feel the need to wash their hair more often, but doing so can be counterproductive. It can lead the scalp to think it needs to replace the oils and overproduce. To nip this nasty cycle in the bud, seek out a sulfate-free shampoo that offers a deep cleansing without the drying effect.

Dry, damaged hair also responds well to more infrequent shampooing, so you might want to try washing your locks every other day. Colored hair should also be washed less often — with a moisturizing, sulfate-free formula — if you want to get the most bang for your buck. After all, color fades a bit with each shampoo, so you can extend the life of your dye job by only washing every other day or every three days.

Lifestyle and Activity
Here's something that not many people consider: the kind of lifestyle you're leading. Does the following situation sound familiar? You wash, blow dry and style your hair in the morning. You’re looking fresh and turning heads all day. Then, you hit the gym and your hair's oil city and you have to wash your hair AGAIN. Unfortunately, the more active you are, the more often you should wash your hair. The reason is pretty simple: sweat piles up, clogs your pores and dirties your scalp and roots faster.

How Often You Should Wash Your Hair Based on Skin Type?
In the never-ending battle for attention, the scalp almost always loses out to hair. But every time you shampoo, it’s the scalp that should be getting the TLC. Focus the washing there, instead of on the hair itself. Your hair will get clean enough as soapy water glides down the shaft. An oily scalp can often make hair oily, too, especially for those with straighter hair (since the sebum produced by the scalp can easily travel down the hair shaft). Normal to Dry: Every Three to Four Days. We suggest washing every three to four days, but if you feel like you may need to wash more often, incorporate a “conditioning rinse” every other day (instead of a full wash). Apply conditioner to your hair and rinse with tepid water.

• Super Oily: The key to keeping a very oily scalp happy is regular clarifying shampoo treatments—at least every other week. An oily scalp can equal oily hair. We recommend using volumizing shampoos to help remove excess oils. And instead of using a traditional thick, rinse-off conditioner, use a lightweight leave-in conditioner post shower. Leave-ins won’t weigh your hair down.
• Super Dry and Dandruff: There are so many underlying causes of dry scalp—dermatitis, excess yeast, even sunburn—that it’s difficult for experts to pinpoint exactly how many washes is the goal. But don't confuse dry scalp with dandruff, which is actually a result of excess oil on the scalp. If you have yellowish flakes that arrive a few days post wash, odds are it’s dandruff. Shampoo with dandruff-specific cleanser about three times a week using cool water to manage the condition.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair Based on Styling?
If you get frequent blow-outs and use a lot of dry shampoo during the week to make your blow out last, wash your hair according to your hair or scalp type—but add a clarifying shampoo into the routine every two weeks, with a deep conditioner to follow. If you use a styling product that leaves a heavy, greasy build up, it needs to be washed off the hair and scalp. Product build-up can dry out the hair and cause it to lose elasticity. To remove build-up, cleanse with a gentle clarifying shampoo.

Need help with your hair care routine, contact us today at (410) 256-1000 to schedule your appointment!

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