There's nothing quite like the feeling of a long, steamy shower followed by freshly washed hair. That being said, sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. So, how often should you be washing your hair? Keep reading to find out!
Finding the perfect wash schedule sometimes feel like an impossible task, and the precise number definitely depends on the individual, the lifestyle and whatever the hair type might be. That being said, there are definitely a few general rules of thumb to follow to ensure that you're helping your hair, rather than hurting. Let's get into it!
Hair Type Matters
There's a reason why we carry different formulas to tailor to different hair types, so when it comes to the frequency of washing your hair, this will look somewhat different on everyone. Hair with thicker strands may be able to withstand more time between washes, whereas thinner strands may get oilier faster. Drier hair usually tends to require less washing, whereas hair on the silkier side may need more. You get the drift! That being said, if your hair is starting to feel overly frizzy, dry or straw-like, you may be washing it too much. However if your hair is greasy or isn't smelling too great, it's time to get to cleaning!
Factors such as lifestyle can also affect how much you should be washing your tresses. If you're regularly getting your hair soaked in sweat, you may need to wash it more often. But that being said; if you exercise every day that doesn't mean you should wash it every day!
The Dangers Of Over Washing Your Hair
We get it, it's definitely tempting to wash your hair every day. Unfortunately doing so can cause many issues, including stripping your scalp of the natural oils it produces, otherwise known as sebum. If you wash your hair too often you can strip your of sebum, and sebum is responsible for helping to protect your hair from moisture loss. By over washing, you essentially don't allow your scalp to produce these oils that are working overtime to keep your hair looking and feeling beautiful.
So, how do you know you're washing too often? Over washed hair can result in frizziness, dryness, lack of shine, excessive dandruff, and can accelerate the appearance of split-ends.
What IS The Magic Number Then?
As a general rule of thumb, drier hair types should wash there hair around 2x per week, while oilier hair types may require washing around 3-4x. If this sounds overcomplicated, we usually recommend sticking to the rule of washing your hair about every 3 days for the best results!
At the end of the day, the best thing you can do is pay attention to the signs of over washing and be aware of how your hair is responding to your current hair washing schedule. Be aware of texture, lifestyle and hair type and you'll find your own magic number in no time!