Washing your hair can feel like a real chore, and we all have our own unique hair care routines. While some of us like to wash our hair every morning, some of us prefer to leave it for as long as possible. But how often should you wash your hair according to the experts?
We caught up with air Expert Nicole Petty at Milk + Blush to find out how often you should wash your hair depending on your hair type, the hair washing technique you should use and what can happen if you over wash or under wash.
How often should you wash fine hair?
Fine hair needs moisture to shield it from breakage since it tends to be more delicate, so using oils can work as a protective layer that reduces the risk of damage.
And if you’re naturally more prone to greasier hair, this could actually be a sign that your scalp is dry and may be overproducing oils to try to balance this out (much like skin does). Though it might seem counterintuitive, reducing the amount you wash your hair and using scalp oils can help to remedy this.
Train your hair to require a wash every other day (3-4 times a week), use lightweight and deep cleansing shampoos that rid the scalp of dirt and look for thickening ingredients such as keratin and panthenol (a B5 vitamin).
If you are concerned about your hair looking greasy, use a dry shampoo to absorb excess oil. There are also many reasons why your hair might be thinning that you can try and find the root cause of to try and thicken your hair. You may also want to invest in an organic shampoo to combat hair loss.
How often should combination hair be washed?
Thicker than fine hair, combination hair appears fuller and is more resistant to breaking. It can be oily at the root but dry towards the ends.
If this is you, avoid washing your hair more than every 2-3 days. You’ll need to opt for products that separate the hair’s different needs – treating oily scalps with a cleansing shampoo without bringing it down to the ends and a moisturising conditioner to treat the ends.
However, if you are concerned about your hair looking a little greasy, that’s nothing a little dry shampoo can’t temporarily fix.
How often should you wash curly hair?
Curly hair is more prone to drying and its natural oils often can't reach the end of the strands, requiring more conditioning and moisturising than other hair types to keep it healthy.
Avoid over-washing curly hair and limit it to once a week, using sulphate and silicone-free shampoo that nourishes curls and cleanses the hair without ridding it of moisture. Ingredients like argan oil, shea butter and coconut oil are best here.
Instead, in between washes, condition your hair every time you shower to keep it feeling soft, shiny and tangle-free.
Avoid using any shampoos or conditioners with sulphates and silicones, as they're too harsh on delicate curly locks.
How often should coily hair be washed?
As it's prone to breakage coily hair should be treated with care as it has a high porosity that can easily absorb moisture but can't retain it for long, resulting in breakage, frizz or dryness.
Those with coily hair should co-wash their hair 2-3 times a week, using a conditioner to cleanse and hydrate their hair and scalp, rather than traditional shampoo. Wash your hair with shampoo once every 1-2 weeks.
For this hair type, repair or bond maintenance shampoos, free of silicones and sulphates, are great for cleansing your hair without drying it out. Conditioners containing oils or butter are fantastic for moisturising your hair due to their moisture-sealing properties, which will help keep hair softer for longer.
What's the best hair washing technique?
- Start by rinsing your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. Not only is this good for ensuring the shampoo lathers more effectively, but it opens hair cuticles fully and allows the shampoo to penetrate deeper to remove dirt, absorb oil and moisturise hair fully.
- Next, apply a hazelnut-sized amount of shampoo mixed with water directly to your roots and gently massage it into the scalp. Use your fingertips from the top and work around the back of your head, ears and nape of the neck in a smooth motion (no circles!). There are many brilliant refillable shampoos as well as shampoos that are ideal for grey hair that we recommend.
Getting deep into the scalp can help clarify your root area and work to exfoliate the scalp, removing dead skin and built-up grease.
However, you want to avoid scrubbing your scalp too intensely. Harsh scrubbing, especially when using fingernails, can not only risk damaging the hair follicles by pulling on wet hair but may also inflame your scalp, leading to flaking, soreness and even hair loss. A scalp massager is great for stimulating your hair follicles and it's not too harsh on your skin.
And remember, you don’t want to scrub the strands as they are prone to breakage, so stick to the roots alone (the ends will be cleansed when you rinse the shampoo off.)
- Rinse your hair thoroughly using lukewarm water for at least three minutes to ensure it is free of any suds.*
A simple trick is to squeeze your hair and look for the water to run clear before proceeding to the next step.
*While rinse and repeat aren't 100 percent necessary, another shampoo might be on the cards if you’re prone to oily or greasy hair or haven’t washed it in a while.
- Once hair is rinsed, apply a small hazelnut-sized blob of conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair using your fingers. Do not apply to your roots, as it can cause them to lose volume.
- Finish by rinsing your hair with cold water to help seal and smooth the cuticle and dry with a microfibre towel.
Is there a maximum number of days you shouldn't go without washing?
It depends on your hair type as to how long you can go without washing your hair. Fine or combination hair types fare better from more regular washes using a cleansing shampoo to rid the hair of oil, while curly or coily hair, depending on the individual, can go 1-2 weeks without being washed.
Each individual should assess the condition of their hair between washes, as signs that it needs a wash include oiliness, a flaking scalp or even itching.
What can happen if we over wash or don't wash enough?
Overwashing your hair can result in your hair and your scalp becoming dry. While making your hair look lacklustre, it will be more prone to breakage, harder to brush and colour-treated hair will fade more easily. Plus, washing your hair too much rids the scalp of oils as the scalp overcompensates by replacing it with even more oil. Giving your hair a treatment with an olive oil maskmay help replenish some moisture.
Not washing your hair enough could have some similar effects, such as skin irritation/itching due to excess dirt resulting in dandruff and it becoming excessively oily and greasy, which neither looks nor smells very nice.
How can you start to extend the time between washes?
There are several things you can do to train your hair and extend the time between washes, such as:
- Opt for a sulphate-free shampoo that cleans your hair and scalp while still retaining moisture. These are great for cutting through oil and dirt and removing buildup, meaning that when you do wash your hair, it will be more effective.
- Co-wash your hair using a conditioner or simply rinse with water if you have a buildup of sweat after a workout, to clean the scalp and strip it off dirt and oils.
- Use cooler water when you do wash your hair to preserve the hair’s natural oils and seal the cuticle.
- Spritz dry shampoo onto your roots to keep the hair looking clean and free of oil or grease.
- Experiment with updos that require your hair to be a little bit greasier to look good, such as a slicked-back bun.
- Avoid touching it when possible.
And remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Training your hair to go longer between each hair wash may take two to three months before it adjusts to your new routine.