Finding the perfect hair-wash schedule is often impossible for us girls. Wash your hair too much, and it will become dry and brittle. Don't wash it enough, and it will become oily and lifeless. While it's hard to find the perfect middle ground, but we at Luxy Hair have compiled all of our tips, tricks and secrets to help you achieve the best hair cleansing habits possible. Keep scrolling for all the details.
1. Hair Type Matters
First of all, there is a reason why there are different products for different hair types. Every texture and hair type requires particular and specific attention and your wash routine is no exception. Manes with thicker strands can go longer without washing, while thin tresses tend to get dirty and oily quicker. Curly hair tends to be on the dry side, so can go also go longer between washes, while straight hair may require more frequent shampoo sessions. Coarse hair can be left for longer without a good scrub, while silky hair can’t...you get the picture! It’s typically best to pay attention to your hair to determine when it’s time for a wash. If your strands feel dry and straw-like, you’re probably overwashing. On the other hand, if your hair is greasy, itchy, or smells unpleasant it’s time for a cleanse.
2. Lifestyle and Activity
Here's something that not many people consider: the kind of lifestyle you're leading. Does the following situation sound familiar? You wash, blow dry and style your hair in the morning. You’re looking fresh and turning heads all day. Then, you hit the gym and your hair turns into oil city and you have to wash it AGAIN. Unfortunately, the more active you are, the more often you should wash your hair. The reason is pretty simple: sweat piles up, clogs your pores and dirties your scalp and roots faster.Â
3. So, how often should I wash my hair?
Generally speaking, dry hair types should shampoo a maximum of two times a week, while oily hair types may require washing on a daily basis. If you have normal hair and don’t suffer from dryness or oiliness, you have the luxury of washing your hair whenever you feel like you need to. It also depends on your hair type. Hair that's thicker, curlier, or processed can go without a wash for longer than hair that is fine. This is because the oils in your scalp don't travel down the hair shaft as quickly as it does for finer hair strands.
No matter which type of hair type you have, it’s important to wash your hair regularly to keep your hair and scalp feeling and looking healthy. Skipping shampoo sessions too often can lead to excess oil, buildup, and dead skin cells which can clog pores and slow down hair growth. To stop grease in its tracks, use our Charcoal Detox Shampoo. Specially formulated for everyday use, this cleansing, this vegan hair product removes impurities from your hair without drying it out. The activated charcoal ingredient works like a magnet to draw toxins, dirt, and oil away from the scalp, while remedying itching or irritated skin and helping hair appear more voluminous. The formula also contains aloe vera, grape seed oil, and vitamin B-5 to boost moisture, shine, and softness.
And don’t forget to condition after every shampoo. Conditioners work wonders at quenching thirsty locks and restoring essential moisture removed by washing. They also stop tangles and knots from forming in hair and help prevent breakage. Just be sure to avoid one of the most common missteps when conditioning your hair: applying conditioner to your roots. Too much conditioner can lead to locks looking greasy, flat, and weighed down instead of refreshed.
The Luxy High-Gloss Smoothing Conditioner is an excellent conditioner to include in your hair routine post-wash. Not only is the formula super hydrating, but it leaves hair feeling super smooth to the touch. The aloe vera and organic shea butter will restore moisture and bring locks back to life after cleansing. Additionally, it’s vegan certified, free of sulfates, and safe for use on both color-treated hair and hair extensions. To use, you’ll want to massage the conditioner into hair after washing. Focus on the ends and mid-shaft since these are the areas most in need of moisture. Let the conditioner soak into your hair and work its magic for about three to five minutes before rinsing thoroughly. You can always set a timer to make sure you are leaving the conditioner in for the right amount of time. With a proper washing and conditioning routine, it won’t be long before your hair is back in balance!
If you're like me and feel icky without a shower, try a body shower. You can purchase a shower cap to keep your hair dry while you cleanse the rest of your body. Or just rinse your hair without using any product. Sometimes, all the hair needs is a little water rather than a full wash. We are well trained to lather, rinse and repeat. But chances are you're washing your hair far too often. Instead of the traditional shampoo-and-conditioner routine, many experts say we should be co-washing more—short for conditioner-only washing—embracing a little grease and letting our hair's natural oils do their job.
4. Brunettes Get Special Treatment
Dark haired? Then consider washing your hair twice a week at maximum regardless of your type and texture. This is because shampooing brunette hair too frequently will make it lose some of its pigments, resulting in a faded and mousey color. The pigments also help to keep the hair looking less oily. Darker hair colors tend to keep their shine longer, and frequent shampooing can damage that natural shine.
5. When In Doubt Go Dry
It can become quite a hassle to constantly measure the frequency of your rinses and balance out your hair's health with its appearance. What to do when you want to get rid of dirt but you don't want to coat your tresses in too much shampoo?
Opt for dry shampoo instead. It absorbs dirt, dust, and excess sebum, making it the ideal quick fix for that big meeting that you'd rather not wash your hair for. In very simple terms, dry shampoo is a magical substance that cleans the hair without water. It basically works by absorbing excess oil from your hair and scalp and makes it feel and smell freshly washed. The ingredients in the spray dry shampoo are usually a mixture of absorbing agents, aerosol propellants, conditioning ingredients, solvents, and fragrance.
Keep in mind that Dry shampoo is not meant to replace regular washing with water. Rather, it's meant to help lengthen the intervals between washes. They usually come in two forms; powder and aerosol spray. Whichever your choice, be sure to choose one that closely matches your color. Dry shampoos are not just great for lengthening the period between washes, though—they are a perfect choice when a normal full shampoo is just not practical. A quick spray of dry shampoo can save the day on those mornings when you snooze your alarm one too many times. You barely have time to slip on your pants, let alone wash your hair.
Not only is it a time saver, it also adds texture and fullness to your hair. Plus it can be a great styling product to help your updos stay in place. If you prefer a natural alternative to commercial dry shampoos, which can sometimes contain several chemicals to help in the absorbing process, you will find organic dry shampoos which are made exclusively from natural ingredients.
Better yet, if you have a light hair, you may find it convenient to make your own homemade dry shampoo. Dry shampoos are not only a big time and money saver, but they work hard to keep your hair looking, smelling and feeling fresh all day long. They will decrease washing and traditional shampooing which often weakens your hair strands, fades your dyes and disrupts your hair style. So if you need to get rid of dirt and excess oil in your hair, just spray your favorite brand in your roots, work it in and brush it out for a refreshing new look.
6. The Universal Formula
If it's too difficult to figure out all these factors that influence frequency, you'll probably rejoice to know that there is an average recommendation. If you wash your hair once every 2-3 days, you should be just dandy. The less you wash your hair, the more it trains itself to adapt to less washing. When your hair realizes it isn't being stripped down as often by the shampoo and other hair products, it realizes it can produce less oil. Training your hair can take lots of time, but it is super worth it in the long run.
In Conclusion
So, how often should you wash your hair? Generally speaking, once every three days at maximum. If you want the best of results, however, consider diving into the specifics of your hair. Ponder texture, styling, how you treat it, the kind of lifestyle you're leading, and other factors which can sum up the perfect washing routine for you.​
So there you have it loves, the lowdown on how often you should be washing your hair while keeping it clean and maintaining its natural components.Â
Written by: Jordan Klee
Jordan is a writer for Beautifully Alive. She loves eating healthy and trying new recipes.The self-proclaimed Zumba Queen has a passion for beauty products and loves reading new books. She's always down for a DIY project!
