How often should you wash your hair to keep it healthy? The answer lies somewhere between overdoing it and neglecting it. We’ll reveal the right routine to adopt.
Finding the right routine for washing your hair can quickly become a headache. Between grandmother’s advice, social media dictates, and ingrained habits, it’s hard to keep track. However, the health of our hair depends largely on how often we shampoo.
Why you shouldn’t wash your hair every day
Many people believe that washing your hair daily guarantees clean and healthy hair. In reality, it’s quite the opposite. By washing your hair every day, you remove the natural sebum that protects the scalp and lengths. As a result, the ends become dry and brittle, and the stressed scalp begins to produce more sebum. A vicious cycle then sets in: the more you wash, the faster your hair becomes greasy.
It is therefore strongly recommended not to shower with shampoo in hand every morning. In the long term, this habit weakens the hair fiber and unbalances the scalp.
Conversely, some people go so far as to space out washes to once a week, or even less. Again, this isn’t an ideal solution. Throughout the week, your hair accumulates impurities: pollution, dust, perspiration… And this is true even if you don’t handle it excessively. In urban environments, polluting particles easily cling to the lengths and dull the hair.
The ideal frequency: two shampoos per week
Experts agree on an optimal schedule: two shampoos per week. This compromise helps remove dirt without damaging the scalp or altering the hair’s natural protective barrier. This schedule also promotes a healthy balance of sebum production and preserves the vitality of the ends.
If your hair gets greasy quickly or you’re short on time, dry shampoo can be a temporary solution. However, it should remain an exceptional alternative. Using it too frequently can clog follicles and suffocate the scalp.
The right steps for effective and gentle washing
Adopting the right frequency is not enough; you also need to apply the right techniques when shampooing. Here are the steps to follow:
- Use sparingly : there’s no need to saturate your hair with product.
- Apply the shampoo only to the scalp , not to the lengths.
- Gently massage the scalp for two to three minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly : leave no product residue.
- Do not rub your lengths : let the water and foam flow naturally.
- Towel-dry hair before applying treatment or conditioner.
- Leave your treatment on for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly.
Washing too aggressively, using water that’s too hot, or rinsing too quickly can all negate the benefits of your hair care products. Taking the time to wash your hair properly also gives it a real boost of vitality.