Do We Really Need To Wash Our Hair More Often?

Should we wash our hair more often?

 

I recently ran an Instagram poll, asking the question – “do you wash your hair every day?” The final result shows that 83% of those who answered don’t.

I mean, the life-saver that is dry shampoo was invented off the back of us not wanting, or needing to wash our hair every day, wasn’t it? Not so long ago, I would insist on daily shampooing, but more recently, my shower cap is getting more action than ever before.

My hair only gets a wash if I feel It really needs it – this can depend on how It looks when I wake, especially if I’ve used a face oil overnight as it always seems to migrate into my hair. The days when I can get away without washing it are a blessed relief. Plus, think of all the resources you’ll save – shampoo and styling products, electricity, not to mention time and energy.

 

Do We Really Need To Wash Our Hair More Often?

 

Three days is about my limit, but don’t get me wrong, I prefer having clean, swishy hair, but more often than not I just can’t be bothered to wash it.

I’ve noticed a trend happening where it seems to be the “thing” to have specific shampoo days and since this is something I’ve started doing myself, I thought I’d look at the subject in a little more detail.

Does Healthy Hair Begin With A Healthy Scalp..?

Our scalp is busy and constantly secretes sebum, or what we prefer to call “natural oils”. Whilst we’re led to believe these oils are good for our hair, small doses are fine, however, shampooing less often will result in a buildup, along with dead skin cells and some general grime thrown in for good measure. We can’t see it as such until that “greasy” appearance starts to develop.

This bit might put you off your breakfast… Microfauna loves to munch on dead skin cells and sebum, so if you’ve not shampooed for a few days, there are definitely microorganisms partying on your scalp. Also, unwashed hair and scalp (with the help of said bacteria) begin to smell, and there’s only so much you can mask with dry shampoo or hair deodorants. Typically, those products don’t cleanse the hair, they simply absorb the sebum. If you’re prone to excess sebum, you might not notice the whiff but the person behind you in the post office queue might beg to differ. With all this in mind, some might say daily hair washing is a matter of basic hygiene.

Consider your scalp as an extension of the skin on your face, you wouldn’t go days without cleansing your face, and if you did you’d soon start seeing the negative impact.

Massaging your scalp during the shampooing process stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which in turn, nourishes the follicles and encourages healthier hair. I once read, that when there’s a constant buildup of sebum, dead cells and grime, your hair isn’t able to push through from the follicles freely and therefore, growth may be inhibited to some degree – Just something else to consider.

Even more disturbing, research shows the stress hormone cortisol can build up in our unwashed hair follicles which can lead to thinning hair. There’s another good reason to reach for the shampoo!

I’m under the impression that, if you’re using salon-quality products, washing your hair daily can actually improve your hair. Particularly if you’re using a strengthening shampoo. I remember back to my days as a trainee hairdresser and washing a lot of hair, we used good quality products and my nails generally appeared healthier quite significantly over time. Our hair and nails are the same forms of keratin so, this stands to reason.

If you wash your hair daily or plan to start, choose gentle, but salon-quality, or all-natural products – budget permitting, of course. Otherwise, every other day is a good balance. Also, a couple of heat-free days a week won’t go amiss – give your hair a break and let it dry naturally when possible or, do what I do and skip the straighteners or curling tong here and there.

I’m still in two minds as to whether I’ll wash my hair more often, It’s an hour out of my morning which I don’t always have spare. If it’s raining, or rough weather it can be a total waste of time washing and styling, but, should we go ahead and lather up anyway for the sake of personal hygiene and a healthier scalp?

What’s your take on this? Do you shampoo every day? Has reading this put you off leaving your hair for days at a time? Read about a range of scalp care products I recently tried.

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24 Comments

  1. February 1, 2018 / 11:50 am

    I’m an every other day washer myself! I’ve found now my roots are darker the wash doesn’t last as long as when I was super blonde! xx

    http://www.juderivers.com

    • Samantha
      Author
      February 1, 2018 / 5:15 pm

      I find that too. I think the dark shows up that we haven’t washed it! ?

  2. February 1, 2018 / 2:00 pm

    I wash my hair every other day, I’m quite lucky with curly hair it doesn’t ever look greasy. I do tend to do a lot of hair masks as well to keep the condition of my hair good.

    • Samantha
      Author
      February 1, 2018 / 5:16 pm

      You’re lucky! Must be lovely having natural curls ☺️

  3. February 1, 2018 / 6:07 pm

    My hair is thick and frizzy and gets either really greasy quickly or overly dry and brittle if I wash it too often, depending on the weather I think. It’s ended up at around three washes every two weeks though it always feels a long time when I write that down!

    • Samantha
      Author
      February 3, 2018 / 9:00 am

      If it works for you then go for it! We know our hair 🙂 x

  4. February 1, 2018 / 7:55 pm

    I have very thick curly hair so washing it daily would make it so frizzy and dry! I try to wash my hair every 2 days, I find that works well for me!
    Aleeha xXx
    http://www.halesaaw.co.uk/

    • Samantha
      Author
      February 3, 2018 / 8:59 am

      I think we all find a balance and a way which works for our hair. I still don’t wash my hair everyday but just “put up” with it looking a state instead! x

  5. February 2, 2018 / 9:48 am

    Fab post!! I usually wash my hair every other day, but if I can get away with dry shampoo on the second day then I will x

    • Samantha
      Author
      February 3, 2018 / 8:57 am

      It’s a life-saver isn’t it! x

  6. February 2, 2018 / 9:49 am

    I was washing my hair every other day, but I’ve started going every three days now because I found that washing my hair more made it look more greasy and the end’s of my hair started getting really dry too.. Since I’ve been washing it every three days (admittedly it doesn’t look great on the third day, so I just whack it up), I’ve actually noticed that my hair is looking and feeling a lot better. I also never blow dry it, I leave it to dry naturally every time I wash my hair xo

    Char | http://www.charslittleblog.co.uk

    • Samantha
      Author
      February 3, 2018 / 8:57 am

      You’re so good letting your hair dry naturally! Mine would be all over the place if I did. x

  7. Lottie
    February 3, 2018 / 8:54 am

    I always wash my hair everyday I feel dirty if I don’t lol , I dont always straighten it though , I am shocked at the poll ? I do workout a lot though so maybe that’s why I feel I must wash it daily .

    • Samantha
      Author
      February 3, 2018 / 9:02 am

      I know what you mean, it’s a lovely feeling having freshly washed hair! x

  8. February 3, 2018 / 8:43 pm

    I tend to wash my hair ever other day, as I don’t feel I really need to wash it every single day but I can understand why some people do X

    • Samantha
      Author
      February 3, 2018 / 10:59 pm

      I can too and prefer to have clean hair but it’s just too much effort to wash it every day! X

  9. February 4, 2018 / 9:49 pm

    This is such an interesting post and something I’m always looking into. I struggle with my hair getting really greasy if I don’t wash it after a day but if I can’t be doing with washing it every single day! My hair would also get really dry if I did. I always read that it’s better to wash your hair less and if you stick it out your hair should adjust to not getting greasy as quickly, but I’ve tried it and failed. I have to wash my hair one day and use dry shampoo the next otherwise it looks horrible! I hate how greasy my hair gets so much and I love the feeling of freshly washed hair! It’s such a struggle for me.

    Ellie x

    http://elliesbitsofbeauty.com

    • Samantha
      Author
      February 5, 2018 / 7:51 am

      There’s always different theories on hair washing. I remember you trying to wash it less often to see if it helped. Frustrating that it didn’t work for you. I read that using a salicylic acid peel with coconut oil as a carrier on the scalp can help excess sebum. Hope you can find a way! x

  10. February 18, 2018 / 2:45 pm

    This is a great post! I’m trying to grow my hair so one of the things I’m doing involves washing it less! I hate having dirty hair though – my hair is so fine a a shampoo doesn’t last long! X

    • Samantha
      Author
      February 18, 2018 / 5:35 pm

      It’s difficult isn’t it! I hate dirty hair too but can’t be bothered to wash it everyday! What to do hey. *Adds more dry shampoo x

  11. September 16, 2020 / 4:08 am

    I have hair extensions and I don’t washed my hair every day.

    • Samantha
      Author
      September 16, 2020 / 3:31 pm

      Ah, ok. That’s probably a good idea 🙂

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