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Living in a country like the Philippines where it’s hot and humid all year long, most people wash their hair on a regular basis. Your scalp gets so oily and sticky, which makes us feel like we should be washing our hair every day.
But did you know that daily shampooing is terrible for your hair, and that it’s rarely ever medically necessary? The only time it’s really required is if you suffer from a certain skin or scalp condition, such as lice or psoriasis; however, even with those conditions, it’s not recommended to wash frequently, as it can further irritate eczema, cause dryness and dandruff, etc. At the end of the day, washing your hair is all about personal preference.
Other than the above, the main reason why daily washing is bad for your hair is because strips your roots from the natural oils, which can cause a dry, itchy scalp, dandruff, as well as dry and damaged hair. The oils are what moisturize your hair.
But on the other hand, not washing your hair enough can give your hair that greasy, dirty, lackluster appearance. It can also cause more dirt buildup, leading to acne on and around the hairline; thus, it’s about finding the balance between the two. Hair texture, skin type and styling also determine frequency.
Here is what’s recommended, based on hair texture:
- Coarse or curly hair: Once a week or every other week.
- Wavy hair: 1-2 times a week
- Fine, straight hair: 2-3 times a week
As you can see, how smooth your hair is determines how quickly the sebum or oil from your scalp travels down your strands. It takes longer for oils to slide down kinky textures since they tend to be dryer by nature, while grease after one day of washing is more apparent on someone with straight tresses.
Here is what’s recommended, based on skin type:
- Dry to normal skin: 1-2 times a week
- Combination/Oily skin: 2-3 times a week
Your skin type also determines how often you should wash your hair. Basically, if you are on the greasier side, it’s best that you wash your hair at least twice a week.
If you suffer from any skin conditions, please consult with your dermatologist on how often you should wash your hair and what hair care products to use.
Here is what’s recommended, based on styling preferences:
- Dyed hair: no more than 3 times a week
- Damaged from styling: 1-2 times a week
- Frequently styled: wash according to hair texture/skin type, using a clarifying shampoo every 2 weeks
- Rarely styled: wash according to hair texture/skin type
Another thing to note is that extra grease in the hair is also a heat protectant against styling.
There are also other things that may affect how often you wash your hair. For example, people who work out several times a week may prefer to wash their hair after every workout. Anyone with longer hair may have increased time between washes because of how time consuming it is. Older people may have brittler strands, so washing their hair less frequently would be the best course of action. And then there are those that just need to wash as soon as there’s a sign of grease. Again, it comes down to personal preferences.
One way to limit the number of washes per week is by spritzing your scalp with dry shampoo in between. Dry shampoo helps to to get rid of excess oils, add more volume in your hair, as well as manage the smell, so that you can maintain that “clean” look for longer without having to actually clean your hair.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for how often you should wash your hair. Climate is a major factor for Pinays, so you might still prefer to wash your hair more than what’s recommended above. Whatever you do, try not to wash your hair more than every other day. The oil is not necessarily bad for you!
And in case you’re all out of shampoo, don’t forget to check out Pretty Me’s selection of hair care products. Both the Argan Oil Shampoo and C1 Anti Hair Loss Shampoo are also available on Lazada if that is the more convenient way to shop for you.
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