If there’s one question we hear the most, it’s “how often should you wash your hair?”. There is a fine line between not washing enough and over-washing and striking the right balance isn’t always easy. Wash too little and you risk limp, greasy locks but wash too often and hair can become dry and weak.
Some things to take into consideration include not only your hair type but whether it’s thick, thin, how coarse it is and if it’s coloured. Additional lifestyle factors such as whether you work out, if you live in a hot climate and how you style your hair can also impact how often to wash your hair.
How often to wash your hair by hair type
There is no right answer to how often you should wash your hair and ultimately, it’s your choice. With that said, typically most people can wash their hair every 1-2 days. To discover the best cleansing routine for your hair, follow the steps below and then read on to find out more about your individual hair needs:
- Step 1:
Choose a shampoo suited to your hair type. Different hair types and textures have different traits and needs, so choosing a shampoo that specifically caters to your individual hair type will give you the best results.
- Step 2:
Wet your hair until it’s fully saturated and apply shampoo. Work into a lather, focusing on the scalp and roots and rinse out.
- Step 3:
Follow with conditioner and rinse.
Oily Hair
Find that no sooner than you’ve washed your hair it already starts to look greasy again? Then you probably have oily hair, so you will need to wash your hair more often than those with drier hair. As tempting as it can be to wash greasy hair daily, we recommend trying to leave at least a day in between as grease is a type of natural nutrients that can lubricate your hair making it soft and smooth.
If you do feel like you need to wash your hair every day, the best shampoo for daily washing is one that’s mild and nourishing enough for every day, like CLEAR Ice Cool Menthol Anti-dandruff Shampoo.
Dry Hair
If your hair is on the drier side, you can probably easily spread hair washes out every 3-4 days, if not longer. Surfactants, the cleaning agents in shampoo, attract and lift away oils, so if your hair is already dry, over-washing will strip it of its natural oils our hair needs to stay in its healthy-look) and actually make it drier in the long run.
If you’re dealing with severe dryness and need to desperately wash your hair, use together with a scalp conditioner, which can nourish your scalp and help to strengthen your scalp barrier.
Thick Hair
Good news for anyone with thick hair! Because you have so much hair, skipping a wash day won’t be as noticeable to other people, as any oil build-up you have won’t be so obvious. To save having to properly wash your hair, dry shampoo can be used in between wash days to soak up excess oil and freshen up your hair.
Curly
The coiled texture of curly hair makes it harder for oils from the scalp to make their way down the lengths of the hair, making it more prone to dryness. Therefore, as with dry hair, washing every 3-4 days is usually sufficient. However, those with kinky or afro hair types may wish to space wash days out more if they feel their hair doesn’t need it.
Coloured
As anyone who dyes their hair will tell you, preventing colour fade is their main priority. Washing hair doesn’t only strip away oils but also colour, so if you want to maintain your brightest, most vibrant colour, try not to wash too often. This will help to preserve your colour for longer and prevent dullness. When you wash your hair, make sure to use a specially formulated shampoo and conditioner that will help keep your hair clean, feeling soft, and looking vibrant.
So, is it healthy to wash your hair every day? As mentioned above, it’s all dependent on your hair types and its needs. While it’s not unhealthy to wash your hair daily, most of us don’t need to and those with already dry hair might find spacing out washes more beneficial.Over washing your hair can also aggravate conditions like eczema and dandruff, so in some cases, you might need to refer to your doctor for advice on this.
Now you know how often to wash your hair to keep it clean and fresh, you can build your perfect hair washing routine and achieve healthy-looking hair.
