Why You Don’t Need to Wash Your Hair Every Day – Keeping that Blowout Fresh!
Usually, accepting standard of normal behavior for things like personal hygiene and manners is a good thing. No one smells bad and everyone gets along; what could be wrong with that? There are some things, however, that can’t be applied with such a broad brush. For example, washing hair every day. Is it good to wash hair daily? Maybe not. Will hair smell if you don’t wash it daily? Definitely not. Doesn’t it get greasy? Surprisingly for most people – no! Of course this isn’t true for every person, but take a look at how not washing hair every day can be healthier for hair and skin.
Washing Hair Every Day Causes Oil Production
Readers may have heard this in relation to acne. Over-washing skin can cause it to increase oil production, leading to more greasiness than before. The same is true with the scalp and hair. After a few weeks of only washing hair every other day, or every few days, many people report that it takes much longer for hair to become oily. During the first week or so, many give up and say that they can only control their hair through daily washing. But, given a longer time frame the body adjusts to a more natural schedule, and skin and hair both benefit.
Washing Hair Replaces Natural Oils With Artificial Oils
The body produces a natural oil to keep hair healthy. When people wash it off, they apply a new oil in the form of conditioner. Hair and scalp can sometimes react poorly to these chemicals, compared to the natural ones. The new chemicals often contain synthetics that actually dry the hair while creating a smooth look. This means short term luster but long term damage to hair and scalp. Washing can also cause an itchy scalp and dandruff-like symptoms.
Curly Hair Types Are Already Naturally Drier
Washing curly hair daily causes it to frizz and lose curl. There are many people who advocate not shampooing curly hair at all, and it is agreed that at least cutting back on washing is essential for healthy curly hair. Try it for a few days and see the difference with better curl definition and less frizz. Sulfate-free shampoo can help too.
Can’t deal with the thought of not washing every day? Try a dry shampoo. My top picks:
- Kevin Murphy Fresh.Air – A dry cleaner for the hair that gives body and texture, removes odors, excess oil, and all your sins from the night before. I love the scent! It also goes on lightly enough that you don’t have to worry about chunks of powder or dry spots in your hair. Flip your hair over and blast the roots, and you’ll be good to go.
- Unite 7 Seconds Dry Shampoo – No more greasy roots with this dry shampoo! 7 Seconds won’t leave visible powder and it gives you a ton of volume. You can even use it after a blow-out on CLEAN hair – just spritz your roots near the crown to get a lift.
- Prive Volumizing Dry Shampoo – Enriched with ginkgo biloba, green tea and soy, Herbal Blend #10 imparts incredible volume instantly while cleansing the scalp and hair without using any water. Even baby fine hair is left full of amazing body, texture and grip to hold any style.
I have ZERO volume at the crown of my hair, which of these dry shampoos do you think would be the best to add volume on an everyday basis?
Hi,
My hair is oily, now I know why!!
And I know how to fix that!
Thanks
I stopped washing my hair every day about three years ago, and my hair is so much healthier for it! I’m now washing about every four days. I use dry shampoo on day three about half the time. But, now that my hair and scalp are used to less frequent washing, my hair really doesn’t get oily/ dirty looking until day 4 (when it’s time to wash again!).
It’s so funny that I used to think “gross” until I started only washing my hair 3 times a week. My hair is so much better off for it and my style lasts so much longer too. Go figure!
I keep hearing about the ever-growing movement of going “poo-less”. People are getting rid of the shampoo completely, and the majority seem to be experiencing great results.
I used to be one of those freaks who worried about my hair getting even a bit oily. I have dry hair already, but would douse my hair with dry shampoo, etc., that is, until the day I caught lice from some kids in daycare for the first time in my adult life. My God, I almost blew a gasket.
From this dreaded experience, I learned that my very clean, dry hair was attracting the nasty things, so now that they are hopefully gone, I no longer worry about my hair being so clean.
Since my hair was always dry, I already only washed it every few days, but now I’m going to wash it once a week or less!