When it comes to skincare, you probably already know the importance of cleansing on a daily basis. From comfortable, itch-free skin to a dewy and radiant complexion, a good skincare routine can do wonders for the skin — especially if you take the time to do it twice a day, every day.
In other words, to keep your skin in tip-top shape, it should be washed regularly. But what about haircare — how often should you be washing your luscious locks? We’ll tell you.
Read on as we explore all things hair to uncover what the experts have to say about washing frequency, as well as the best tips and tricks to support that lovely mane of yours. Are you ready?
Let’s dive in!
Why Is Hair Care So Important?
Thanks to the many influencers always promising that they’ve found the “next best thing,” we don’t blame you for thinking a hair care routine is nothing more than an overhyped marketing ploy.
But trust us — we’ve done the research, and not having one only hurts yourself (and your gorgeous locks).
Haircare is important for a number of reasons, whether you have fine hair, dry hair, damaged hair, or the oiliest of oily hair. Here are just a few reasons why your locks deserve some love:
- A good hair care routine keeps itchy scalp at bay. When you don’t take care of your mane, oily buildup can wreak havoc on your scalp and cause dandruff.
- Hair is one of the fundamental expressions of your personality. Let’s be real: When you’re having a good hair day, you feel good. Having a good hair care routine means you can enjoy more good hair days in the long run.
- In addition to genetics, nutrition, pollution, and stress, hair care is one of the primary factors that affect hair growth. Treating your hair with the utmost care can promote optimum hair health.
Many people don’t realize it, but the hair on your head endures the same beating your skin suffers from daily sun and pollution.
You care for your skin with a laundry list of lotions and potions — from moisturizers and exfoliants to toners and sunscreen — so why not give your tresses the same amount of love with a good haircare routine?
That said, a hair care routine doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. It can be as simple as putting your hair into a high ponytail before bed to minimize tangles or taking a daily probiotic like Healthy Hair Probiotics to support the gut-scalp connection.*
It may take some trial and error to discover what works best for your hair, but stick with it once you’re happy with your routine. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and gorgeous hair isn’t either.
In other words, consistency is key!
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
As with most things in life, the answer to this question is not very simple. You see, the amount of time between hair washing sessions can vary from person to person.
Why? Because everyone is different, that’s why!
Most folks tend to wash their locks every other day or even every two or three days, but a number of factors can impact how often you should shampoo.
What Factors Impact Your Wash Schedule?
There's no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to hair washing, as there are many things that can influence your wash schedule. Daily washing may be great for some people, but this same schedule may dryness for others. Some factors that can affect your wash schedule include:
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Hair Type. The type of hair you have influences how often you should shampoo. Ladies with straight and thin hair need to wash their locks more frequently than those with wavy or curly hair. This is because straight hair can easily get coated by oil (aka sebum), meaning it looks greasy much faster.
People of color have different needs, too — according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), women whose natural hair has tight curls or is textured should wash no more than once a week or every other week.
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Scalp Condition. More often than not, the condition of your scalp will also affect the condition of your hair. People with very dry scalps typically don’t produce as much sebum so washing the hair less frequently can help the scalp remain healthy and itch-free.
On the flip side, those with especially oily scalps may develop acne — otherwise known as scalpne — and may need to wash their hair more often to keep the pores on their head clean and unclogged.
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Sweat. Ever notice how greasy your hair looks after a good sweat sesh? This is because sweat can spread sebum, which can ultimately make your hair look and feel dirty.
Not to mention it can also cause your hair to smell less than fresh — most experts agree that shampooing is a MUST following a sweaty workout, even if you just washed your tresses the day before.
Is It Possible To Overwash?
Yep, absolutely.
You see, shampooing traps oils, so if you do it too frequently, you may dry your hair out and strip away its natural oils, leaving it vulnerable to breakage — aka locks with lots of frizz that doesn’t behave.
Think you might be over-washing? Here are the signs to watch for:
- Your color is fading quickly
- Your tresses are brittle and parched
- Your mane is full of split ends
- Your hair is lacking in the shine department
- Your scalp is flaking, itchy, and dry
The moment you encounter one of these telltale signs, cut back on the washing ASAP. We also suggest taking Healthy Hair Probiotics to support the hair growth cycle and address root-cause reasons behind hair loss and thinning, like hormones, stress, etc.*
Just one capsule a day is all you need for fuller, thicker hair* — what’s not to love?
What Are Some Hair Care Tips?
As a matter of fact, we have quite a few. To help keep your hair healthy, strong, and happy, check out these tips listed below:
Tip #1: Use Dry Shampoo
To help dampen the excess oils in between washes, use dry shampoo. These little beauty secrets contain powders that help absorb your hair’s oils to combat a greasy appearance.
Tip #2: Focus On Conditioning Treatments
To really keep your hair clean and moisturized, focus on deep conditioning treatments — at least once every two weeks. This will help to keep your hair hydrated.
Tip #3: Steer Clear Of Excessive Heat
If you use heat to style your hair, you may experience more breakage as it can be quite harsh to your delicate locks. Use heating tools in moderation to protect your hair from a lot of damage.
Tip #4: Trim Your Ends
To help keep your ends from splitting, it’s important to trim your ends — ideally once every six months. This will promote hair growth and keep your mane in tip-top shape.
Tip #5: Be Gentle
Brushing your hair can hurt your scalp, so be sure to take extra care when using a brush. Start by slowly brushing out your eds before working your way up.
Conclusion
So, how often should you wash your hair, you ask?
The answer: it depends.
You see, your hair wash schedule can be influenced by a number of things, such as your age, hair type, scalp condition, activity level, and ethnic background. That said, most people should wash their tresses with shampoo no more than two times per week. However, if you have especially curly or textured hair, once a week should be more than enough to keep your hair healthy.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you how often you want to rub a-dub-dub, but hair care is of the utmost importance if you want to have beautiful, healthy locks.
At Love Wellness, we create female-friendly and natural solutions for natural female-related problems. From belly bloat and period cramps to brittle hair and poor sleep, you can always count on us to have just what you need to find relief, get support, and feel your best!
Check us out today and see how we can help you eat, sleep, feel, and live better tomorrow.
Sources:
Black hair: Tips for everyday care | American Academy of Dermatology
Tips for healthy hair | American Academy of Dermatology
Sebum - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
How to stop damaging your hair | American Academy of Dermatology