Washing Your Hair: How Frequently Should You Do It?
To Wash Or Not To Wash?
Washing your hair with every bath or shower is second nature to most people but is it even the right way to go about caring for our hair? The truth is that it depends on several factors. There are a various reasons on why you should and why you shouldn't wash every single day, so let's explore these together.
Do What Feels Right For You
Doing what feels natural is probably the best way to go about this conundrum. It is the rule of thumb that will work best for most people. But, what does that even mean? In short, if it feels dirty, wash it! Keep a close eye on your locks under strong overhead light and you will be able to easily notice how oily or greasy it really is. Taking a good look at freshly clean and styled hair or even snapping a selfie will give you a great baseline as to how your hair looks when it is freshly clean. Take another look or snap a quick pic a few hours after washing; this is best done on a day when you are going about your business but not doing anything heavily strenuous or being overly active. This second look will let you see your hair after it has recovered some of its natural oils. Remember, these oils are not dirt and they are actually quite beneficial in keeping our hair protected and dandruff-free. Now that you have a good idea as to what your hair should look like, it gives you a better idea of how it will look when it is not so fresh. Continue to keep a close eye on the level of oil and dirt; you will be able to tell because your hair will look heavy or overly glossy. Once you notice your hair looking like this, then it's a good idea to give it some TLC with a good wash and condition. Doing this often will help you become more familiar with your hair's needs and is a great way to get to know them well. Some people will be able to wash their hair just once a week and this is perfectly OK. After all, your hair is your friend, so listen to it intently!
Active Or Passive?
Some people do need to wash their hair more often and sometimes, daily. Those of us who have a very active lifestyle will have no choice but to wash the day off way more often than those of us that are less so. What is considered highly active? Working out is definitely a good example, but let's be honest: none of us are or should be working out every day, anyway. Exercise is of course an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, but rest days are equally as important. The sweet spot is different for everybody but strenuous exercise 3 - 5 days a week is a healthy range to shoot for. If you work in an office or indoor environment with climate control and not much walking or general movement to speak of but do have an established workout routine, then it's safe to say you should wash your hair on your exercise days and simply let your hair recover on your rest days. Following this should help you keep your locks moisturized and happy. If you work outside or are required to work up a sweat in something like a warehouse environment, then by the end of the day, you and your mane will be aching for a good wash. In that situation, you should totally do what feels right and relax with a good wash from head to toe at the end of the day. However, if you do wash this often, it's a great idea to use a high-quality paraben-free shampoo, as well as a frequent deep conditioning paired with an oil treatment to help boost your chances of keeping your hair healthy. You could also try using a dry shampoo on alternate days and see if you can get the desired results. Finally, if at all possible, try to refrain from washing on your days off or days with lower activity; give yourself and your hair a break whenever possible. Gorgeous hair is possible if we pay attention to our locks and remember what they prefer!
Which is your hair washing routine? Let us know in the comments below!
