There are a lot of differing opinions on this topic for both men and women. There are many factors that contribute to how often you should wash your hair. For example, if your hair is curly vs straight, long vs short, thin vs thick. Further, how often you sweat and what products you use can also play a role in how often you wash your hair.
There are benefits to washing your hair everyday as well as washing your hair less frequently. If you are using gels, hairsprays, and other products, washing your hair everyday can be beneficial. Letting these products sit on your scalp can cause irritation and dryness since they clog your pores.
If you sweat often or exercise daily, you may also want to wash your hair daily. Sweat contains lactic acid and DHT which can cause hair loss in some people.
If your hair is naturally oily, this would also be ideal for daily washing. Oils or ‘sebum’ can build up on the scalp and clog the pores. Sebum also contains DHT, the potential hair-loss causing hormone.
The type of hair you have (curly, long, thick, etc.) can determine how sebum moves through and builds up on your hair. Straight, thin hair often shows oil more significantly.
So now we know when we should wash our hair, but can washing it too frequently be bad for us?
Yes. The oils our hair secretes are our body’s way of naturally conditioning our hair. If we’re constantly stripping our hair of its natural oils it can dry out and appear frizzy and unhealthy.
Additionally, if we’re not using quality shampoos, we can be stripping our hair of its nutrients. Many cheap shampoos contain harsh chemicals such as sulfates. These chemicals are known to cause hair and scalp problems.
If you are experiencing any hair loss, considering investing in a good shampoo and washing more often. Ease up on the gels and products that can clog our pores and constrict the hair follicles. Here at Modena, we stand by prevention as the best way to fight hair loss. If you have begun noticing hair loss or thinning and would like to learn more about ways to protect your hair and prevent future hair loss, give us a call for a hair loss management consultation.