Grooming

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR HAIR?

January 3, 2023 by Jack

Washing your hair is as essential as washing your face. Shampooing cleans your hair and scalp of sweat, excess oils, styling products, and dead skin cells. While it may seem logical to suds up daily, many men wonder, “ Is it bad to wash your hair every day?” Let’s explore this frequently asked question on a deeper level so you can ensure the health of your hair and scalp. 

How Often Should I Wash My Hair?

How often you wash your hair depends mainly upon your hair type (thick, thin, normal — somewhere between the two)) and lifestyle. Remember that thickness isn’t necessarily about how much hair you have on your head. It’s more about the hair strands themselves. So, a man can have thick patches of hair, but also have a bald spot. 

Men with thick hair (that may also be associated with curls or waves) can typically get away with washing their hair about three times a week. On non-shampoo days, rinse the hair with water and condition it from the mid-shaft to the ends. The frequency may need to increase if you sweat a lot, particularly from participating in sports and regular gym sessions, a job that works up a sweat, or living in a warmer climate. 

Thinner hair doesn’t have the same ability to sop up excess oils as thick strands do, so a good rule of thumb is to wash your tresses every other day and follow the same mid-shaft to tips conditioning rule, but with a lighter formula that won’t weigh the hair down. 

How Often Should I Wash Natural Black Hair?

Natural black hair doesn’t need to be washed as frequently because hair types such as 4A, 4B, and 4C are thicker, curlier, and more prone to damage. While 4A retains moisture better than 4B and 4C, all three require less washing and more hydrating. As a general rule of thumb, natural black hair should be washed every 7-10 days to remove dead skin cells and product buildup — every 4-5 days for those who are extra active, whether sports or job-related. 

Just because natural black hair isn’t washed daily doesn’t mean conditioning should fall by the wayside. Coarse hair is always in need of moisture, so along with using a hydrating shampoo, it’s vital to condition daily with a repair cream, moisture milk, hair oil, or any other type of leave-in treatment. 

Is It Bad to Wash Your Hair Every Day?

Well, that depends. If you work out frequently, have an occupation that causes you to sweat profusely, possess an excessively oily scalp, or struggle with breakouts within your hair follicles, you may need to wash daily.

Generally, it’s best to leave at least a day between washes. As with your face, the more you wash it, the more oil it produces because you’re stripping your scalp of its natural oils. So, you’re not going to achieve that fresh, clean, voluminous look and feel. 

Here’s how not to wash hair every day: Try gradually training your scalp to produce less oil over time by shampooing every other day. Depending on the result, you may want to skip two days in a row. 

Benefits of Not Washing Your Hair

Washing once or up to three or four times a week has several hidden benefits you may not have thought of. 

• You’ll use less product, so you can invest in high-quality, well-formulated shampoo and conditioner since you won’t be using them as frequently. 
• Your hair and scalp will look and feel healthier because you’re not stripping both of their vital, natural oils. 
•  Chemical treatments like color or toning will last longer. 
• You’ll find that “next day” hair is much easier to style. 

How Often Should I Use a Leave-In Conditioner?

Should you condition your hair every day? Unlike shampoo, conditioner can be used daily because it helps prevent and treat damage while providing vital moisture. Use a formula suitable for your hair type to avoid limp locks or thirsty strands. 

For an added boost, consider adding a leave-in conditioner two-to-three times a week if your hair is on the dry, damaged side. Unlike traditional rinse-out conditioners, the leave-in variety is more lightweight, which prevents the hair from being weighed down. Every hair type can profit from a leave-in conditioner, especially those with frizzy, damaged, color-treated, or overly dry hair. 

As previously mentioned, natural black hair can benefit from leave-in products daily since it’s more challenging to prevent moisture loss when it is thick, curly, and coarse. Unlike other hair types, multiple products can be used simultaneously. For example, start with a water-based moisturizing formula and seal its benefits with hair oil. If needed, layer on a cream-based leave-in conditioner for extra-thirsty tresses. 

At the end of the day, healthy hair is achieved through moisture and conditioning, not superabundant cleansing. There’s no magic number when it comes to how many days a week you should wash your hair, so it’s up to you to consider your lifestyle and the overall health of your scalp and hair. It might take a little trial and error, but if you’re still struggling to find a balance, you can always tap your stylist or barber for advice.