How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?
Confession…I only wash my hair once or twice per week. Even if I’ve been to the gym multiple times. Sounds horrendous, doesn’t it? Yet there is method behind the madness.
Now before we dive into this article, it’s worth noting everyone’s hair is different.
For me washing my hair twice a week works. For you, every other day may work. It all comes down to personal preference. So test out different wash schedules and see what works best.
It's also suggested you discover what type of wavy hair you have by reading this guide. It'll help you care for your wavy hair better.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I WASH MY HAIR TOO OFTEN?
Washing your hair frequently can strip away the natural oils that your scalp produces to keep your hair healthy and hydrated. These oils (known as sebum) help to nourish your hair, protect it from damage, and keep it looking shiny, lustrous and frizz free.
When you wash your hair, you use shampoo to remove dirt, oil, and other impurities from your scalp and hair strands. However, most shampoos contain sulphates and silicones, which strip away the natural oils that your hair needs. Leaving it feeling dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.
The Merwave cleansing products don't contain any silicones or sulphates.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T WASH MY HAIR ENOUGH?
When you wash your hair, what you’re actually doing is cleaning your scalp.
If you fail to wash your scalp regularly then you’ll find it begins to build up with dirt, grease and excess oils. This, along with dead skin cells, can cause scalp irritation, dandruff and breakages. Your hair will become greasy and weaker.
Below I’ve outlined some tips on how often you should consider washing your hair, dependent upon your hair type.
TIGHT CURLS, COURSE AND THICK HAIR
Shampooing your hair might be one of the last things you need to think about if you have this type of hair.
Washing this type of hair daily can cause your hair to dry out. Resulting in frizz and breakages.
If you do want to freshen your hair up in between washing, then you could try co-washing with water and a conditioner. I don’t normally recommend this for waves, as it can weigh them down, yet people have had good results using it. Check out this article on what co-washing is and how to do it.
Or you could try a water wash. A water wash involves massaging your scalp using lukewarm water without shampoo, conditioner or cleanser, followed by a cold rinse. This will help remove dirt, dust and other water-soluble debris from your hair without stripping away the oils.
Granted, it isn’t going to give your hair a deep clean. Yet it is an ideal and convenient alternative to give you hair a refresh in between your weekly washes.
MEDIUM CURLS AND WAVES
With medium curls and waves, you can get away with being able to shampoo your hair 2-3 times a week. You won’t need to worry if you miss a couple of days either as your waves will look amazing with a simple refresh.
When wavy hair has a little oil, it can enhance the waves definition. But if you’re someone who enjoys spending time in the gym (like me) then you might need to water wash in between a full on shampoo wash day to remove some of that loose dirt and grease.
If you do exercise a lot, then this article reveals how you can protect your hair when working out.
fine WAVES
If you have fine waves, you might find that by the end of the day, your hair feels oily and greasy. Especially when you are applying styling products each day. This is because women with fine hair have more oil glands on their scalp.
In this case daily washing may be your best option. Just make sure you use high quality shampoo and conditioning products free of harmful ingredients, such as the Merwave Cleanse Shampoo and Repair Conditioner.
Another option is co-washing. You may find your hair will look and feel more oily after the first few tries, yet this should eventually disappear the more you do it.
If you discover that co-washing is not working for you, you could try extending the time between shampooing by using dry shampoos at the root, crown and fringe. The downside to this is that it can cause product build up, which could make your scalp itchy.
does water temperature affect my hair?
In one word, yes.
If you’re washing your hair is piping hot water, then this can cause the natural oils used to strengthen your hair to be removed.
It’s therefore recommended to wash your hair with water at room temperature. This will result in your hair ending up in a better, more defined shape post wash.
how should i dry my hair?
I find the best way to dry my hair (if I have the time) is naturally. Which is why I often always wash my hair at weekends when I have time to wonder around the house or go out for a walk.
If you can’t do that, then try washing it in the evening and allow it to dry overnight. Use a microfibre towel to absorb the excess moisture.
If you’re short of time, you can use a diffuser. Just make sure it’s set to a low heat.
We’ve got a video guide on how to dry your hair correctly here.
conclusion
Ultimately, the key is to pay attention to your hair and adjust your wash frequency based on its specific needs.
If your hair is feeling oily or dirty, it's time for a wash. But if it's feeling healthy and clean you can hold off a little longer.
Need healthy products that won't strip away your hairs natural oils and nutrients? Click below now.
