Washing your hair can either be a time-consuming chore or a quick and relaxed experience – there is no in between. Regardless of how you feel about the task, there is one big question that has been hotly debated for years – how often should you wash your hair? Some feel that every day is the right answer, and others feel that twice a week is more than enough. What’s the real answer though, and what does science say?
What Causes Greasy Hair?
Just like your face, your hair becomes greasy because it produces an oily substance known as sebum – and it is also what moistens your hair to prevent it from drying out. The glands that produce this substance are located next to the roots of your hair in the dermis, and the channels from the glands lead right into the hair roots – so the sebum gets out of your skin and onto your scalp.
The important thing to remember is that everyone produces a different amount of sebum, and it can be affected by a number of things, from our genetics to our hormones. Similarly, the amount we produce can vary throughout the year due to the same reasons, and this can make knowing how often to wash your hair a little harder to determine.
Healthy hair reflects a healthy body. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
This is all down to the kind of hair you have, and the amount of sebum you produce. Let’s take a look at this in detail:
- Oily hair: If you have really oily hair, you will likely need to wash it every day in order to keep it looking fresh and clean.
- Dry hair: For those with dry hair (or hair that is very straight), two or three times a week will work best.
- Thick & curly hair: If you have very thick and curly hair, you will probably be good with a weekly wash.
- Short hair: If you have short hair, it will usually get oily faster and you will need regular washing.
- Long hair: Long hair, on the other hand, can usually go a little longer.
Similarly, the time of year can have an effect on the frequency of hair washing. The summer months cause us to sweat more, and hair will often become greasy faster. Winter usually results in dryer hair, and so it will not always need to be washed as regularly.
Washing Tips to Follow
Of course, taking care of your hair when you wash it is incredibly important. You have probably heard of people shampooing their hair twice and wondered if there was any merit to the practice. In short, there is, and if you spend a lot of time outdoors or in murky environments, washing your hair twice helps to keep it nice and clean. However, if you wash your hair daily, it is best to avoid this as you could end up stripping the hair of its natural minerals.
If you use the 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioners, they can be really convenient and effective. However, they are only really suitable for washing your hair a couple of times a week. If you are washing your hair daily, a separate conditioner contains more of the good stuff that your hair needs to stay silky and smooth.
When you are stuck for time and just can’t fit in a hair wash, dry shampoo can be an excellent quick fix for the problem. However, it doesn’t contain the same nutrients as regular shampoo, and so should not be used more than once (maybe twice) each week. The rest of the time, you should try and squeeze that wash in for the sake of your hair.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this has not only taught you more about how different hair needs different care but also about the ways in which you can wash your hair it can be washed – and some of the tips that can give you silkier and healthier hair. In many ways, there is no right frequency for washing your hair because it is all down to what your hair is like and the kind of lifestyle you have. With this article though, we are sure you will find the right frequency for you and your hair.
