Should I Wash My Hair Everyday? Caring for your hair is a complex process, especially because there seems to be conflicting information everywhere about what you should do and what the best methods are for caring for your hair.
One big question is “Should I wash my hair every day?”; the short answer is no, but there are some exceptions! Don’t worry; this article will tell you everything you need to know about when and how to wash your hair, so you can keep it healthy and strong.
Your hair naturally produces oils and has a microbiome that can be harmed by washing your hair daily. Removing the oil from your scalp too often can lead to harmful bacteria accumulating which makes hair look dull and damaged.
It’s especially important if you have colored hair or any kind of dying agent on your hair to only wash it a couple of times a week. Removing the oil from the ends of your hair too often when your hair is colored makes it more prone to damage and can make the color fade quicker. You don’t want to ruin the health and look of your hair by washing too often!
There are some exceptions to the general rule about hair washing, based on lifestyle and hair type:
If you have fine or thin hair it may be a good idea to rinse or wash your hair every day. This is because oils can build up very quickly on fine hair; an excess of oil can harm the scalp and make conditions such as dandruff worse.
Those who exercise often (once to twice a day) may need to wash their hair every day. This is because sweat can build up within your hair and cause damage or make it look dirtier. Additionally, when you sweat a lot, your scalp is going to produce more oil and over time you may find that your scalp is oilier after you workout if you don’t wash it daily.
Another condition that affects how often you should wash your hair is humidity. If you live in a very humid environment, you may find that your hair gets dirty quicker and becomes oily after a short time outside.
This is because humidity triggers a response in your scalp to produce more sebum (which is what the natural oil in your hair is called) in order to capture more moisture. Daily washing can help control the oil levels in your hair, coupled with a nourishing conditioner, this will keep your hair fresh and healthy.
There are certain types of hair that can go longer without washing, and it is actually healthy for them to have more time between washes. These are folks with curly or thick hair, as well as those with dry scalps.
Those with curly or thick hair will notice that it takes longer for the oil to build up on their scalp, because the volume of hair requires more oil to keep it in a healthy state.
It is actually a very bad idea to wash thick or curly hair every day; this will strip the ends of your hair and you won’t be able to replenish the conditioning oil on your ends before you wash your hair next.
If you notice that you have a dry scalp, it is a good idea not to wash your hair every day. Your scalp may take longer to produce the oils necessary to condition your hair naturally. This means that it is important you give your hair time in between washes to re-condition your hair, and only wash it when it appears dirty or oily.
Your best bet is to not wash your hair every day, and instead wash 2-3 times a week. Of course, if you fit one of the conditions mentioned above, it is a better idea to wash more frequently.
Caring for your hair, especially when it comes to washing and conditioning behaviors, is so important to the overall condition of your hair. If you follow these tips; you will certainly be able to maintain healthy and beautiful hair, no matter your lifestyle!