How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?


This shouldn't be this difficult, but we think we've figured it out
During the pandemic, TikTok hair experts encouraged followers to go without bathing for as long as possible in order to reset the natural balance of oils on their scalp, or something along those lines. (That's not how it works; hair oils are controlled by hormones, not external factors.) In fact, there's a lot of strange information about how often to wash your hair out there, usually fed to us by influencers or beauty magazines, and we eat it up in search of validation for our wash-avoiding ways. But what is the answer to the age-old topic of how frequently we should wash our hair?

This is purely subjective

Sorry to explain, but hair washing, like so many other things, is subjective. For example, if you have extensions, the package will normally state that you should not wash your hair (both faux and genuine) every day. Scheduling is also affected by your hair type and styling plans. Consider your texture. Professionals recommend washing coarse hair once a week, or even every 10 days, unless you live a busy lifestyle that necessitates a wash every four to five days. If your hair is short, you can wash it more frequently without risking breakage. There are various things at play here. According to Midwestern stylist Krista MacKinnon, you should wash your hair before any styling appointments, but if you plan to style your hair for an occasion, it should be at least a day unwashed.

But what if you're not going to the barbershop or staring down the barrel of a curling iron before a big event? Answers differ as well. According to WebMD, some hairdressers advise clients to go as long as they can without washing, which means you'll need to spend some time determining how long that is for you.

"Coils, curls, or blondes can go longer to prevent dry ends," MacKinnon says, pointing out that shampooing and heat styling can be drying and harmful. "Dryer hair should go longer between washes and use an oil or serum to increase moisture."

Essentially, the thicker your hair, the less often you need (or can) wash it. Over-washing can dry out bleached hair, and washing frequently can dull colored hair. If your hair is fine or you work out every day, you may need to increase your workout routine. MacKinnon cautions against washing every two to four days, adding that this is entirely based on the client's comfort and the quality of their hair.

What exactly is the science of it?

Shampoo, obviously, removes oils and grime from your hair, but your hair requires a certain level of oil to be healthy. According to WebMD, shampoo also traps oils, which can cause your hair to dry out and become brittle, resulting in breaking.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, you can also over-wash your hair to the point of drying up your scalp, which causes itching as well as shedding. The Clinic also mentions that not washing enough might cause dandruff, commonly known as seborrheic dermatitis. You may then require medicated shampoo, which may be available over-the-counter but may also require a prescription in some situations. To minimize drying out your hair, the Clinic recommends using dry shampoo between washes, focusing on conditioning treatments when you do wash, and only shampooing your roots.

Finally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that washing your scalp can help protect you from ringworm and head lice if you have had direct contact with an infected person or animal.

So, what is the bottom line?

All of that is fascinating, but it doesn't entirely answer the question of how frequently you should wash your hair beyond telling you to do what feels best for your particular mane. Taken together, all of these ideas point to one key takeaway: Depending on all of those criteria, washing your hair twice a week is a healthy practice. Plan your hair washes around your weekly routine, allowing enough time for a complete cleaning, conditioning, and drying, and keep some dry shampoo on hand.

#Shampoo #Scalp #HeadWash #Hair #TikTok

SOURCE: lifehacker

What do you think of this blog? Write down at the COMMENT section below.

No comments: