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How often should we wash our hair to really look after it?
How often should you wash your hair? Is there a clear-cut answer to such a seemingly simple question? No. It all depends not only on your hair type, but also on your lifestyle. When deciding how often to wash your hair, you need to consider factors such as whether you exercise, live in a city, the environment you work in, and how many styling products you use each day. In this article, we’ll advise you on how to tailor your hair care routine.
Is washing your hair too often causing it to lose its quality?
We’ll help you find out with the help of a trichological analysis!
How often should you wash your hair to avoid damaging it?
We wash our hair to remove dust and dirt, as well as sweat and the natural oils produced by the sebaceous glands. Let’s pause for a moment to consider that last point.
Sebum is actually a nourishing natural oil essential for keeping your hair healthy and looking good. The key, however, is to leave just the right amount on your hair. If, however, you wash your hair too often, or use unsuitable, harsh shampoos, your locks – and your scalp – will be deprived of the oils they need. The result?
- Brittle hair
- Insufficient nourishment and hydration leading to hair loss
- A dry and itchy scalp
- The development of dandruff, scabs and the risk of infection
What happens if you stop washing your hair altogether?
Yes, washing your hair too often is harmful. But what about stopping washing it altogether? That’s not the answer either.
- Not washing your hair for a long time leads to a build-up of bacteria and the development of an unpleasant odour.
- It can also lead to blocked hair follicles, resulting in a suppurative skin condition.
- Accumulated sebum or hair products create a barrier across the top layer of the skin, which can cause ingrown hairs.
- In rare cases, excess sebum can harden over the hair follicles, causing them to become blocked and inflamed. As a result, hair may fall out faster than it can grow back.
The solution? Finding the right balance for your specific needs.
Our leading experts at the hair clinic in Prague can help you understand this.
Washing your hair every day? Yes, but…
Such a high frequency isn’t suitable for everyone. Experts and professional hairdressers agree that washing your hair every day is only suitable for those who exercise daily. Those with hair prone to greasiness will also need to wash it more often, but if possible, not every day.
And what is the recommended frequency for washing hair according to other hair types?
- Normal to thick
This hair type can ‘hide’ oil build-up for a little longer, so it’s enough to wash it once every 3–4 days
- Curly and wavy
This type of hair tends to dry out. We therefore recommend washing it once every 4–6 days using shampoos specifically designed for wavy or curly hair to enhance and define the waves.
- Dry and damaged hair
It is also recommended to wash dry and damaged hair relatively infrequently – no more than twice a week. Nourishing hair masks and oils will help restore it to good condition and should become an integral part of your hair care routine.
- Thick to coarse hair
Coarse and textured hair needs plenty of sebum to stay healthy and look its best. It is therefore advisable to wash it only once a week.
- Children’s hair
In this case too, it is important to take into account the child’s hair type and how active they are (do they play sport, do they sweat?). Generally, however, it is recommended to wash it 1–2 times a week.
Does an inappropriate hair-washing routine contribute to male pattern baldness?
Many factors can influence hair loss, ranging from a natural decline in testosterone levels, through an unhealthy lifestyle, to genetic predisposition. Hair loss due to illness, particularly alopecia or during cancer treatment, is a separate issue. In such cases, one might also consider eyebrow and beard transplants, not just scalp hair transplants.
Washing your hair too frequently and using poor-quality products can certainly contribute to a deterioration in hair quality and hair loss. However, we would not directly attribute baldness to this.
Are you worried about receding hairline, bald patches on the crown of your head or generally thinning hair? Consider the option of a hair transplant. Our specialists will discuss the cost,
procedure and preparation for the treatment with you during a no-obligation consultation.