/ Natural Hair

How Often Should I Wash My Hair?

by wedo_act

01/06/2021

Back of woman’s head, washing her hair in the shower with weDo/ Shampoo.

Finding the perfect hair washing routine is often a challenge and sometimes it can be difficult to line up your washes with your social calendar. Wash too often, and you risk your hair and scalp losing its normal moisture balance, but wash too little and it’s likely that you hair will look flat and lifeless for the days in-between. So, how do you find the perfect balance?

The bottom line is that there is no universally correct answer to how often you should wash your hair, because there are a number of factors that can affect each individual’s hair washing schedule. Continue reading to find out everything you need to know.

Image of running shower head in bathroom.

Factors that can affect how often you should wash your hair

Hair type

How long you can go in-between washing your hair depends on a number of factors, but mainly on your lifestyle and hair type.

Typically, people with fine hair find themselves needing to wash their locks more often than people with coarser hair types. This is because finer hair is more prone to being weighed down by excess sebum and oil build-up on the scalp, resulting in the hair becoming greasy more quickly.

Those with naturally curly hair tend not to wash their hair as often, as it is generally dryer by nature compared to straight hair. Also, when hair is curly or coarse, the sebum from the scalp does not travel down the strand as easily like on straight hair, resulting in the hair becoming less oily. Curls also tend to keep their definition better if the hair is not washed as frequently.

Image of friends with different hair types.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle and activity levels also play a massive part in how often you need to wash your hair. If you’re hitting the gym or playing sports multiple times in a week, then chances are that your scalp is going to produce a lot more sweat, so you’ll have to wash your hair following each workout. Similarly, if you work in an environment surrounded by odours or dust, you may feel the need to wash your hair more often.

Image of woman with hair tied back stretching before exercising.

Product build-up

Product usage and styling habits also play a part in how often you need to wash your hair. Some people like to wash their more frequently due to the build-up of styling products, whereas others think styling or blow-drying can help to prolong the wash cycle. This is mostly based on the fact that when hair is styled, the root is lifted and sebum won’t travel from root to tip as quickly. Having said this, it can be beneficial to include a scalp scrub into your hair care routine every now and then to remove any excess product.

Image of back of woman’s head with fine blonde hair running hands through her hair.

Is washing your hair too often bad for your hair/scalp?

Despite the many myths and rumours, there is no such thing as washing your hair too often, as long as you’re using the most suitable and gentle products for your scalp or hair type. If you have fine hair and you’re washing your hair daily, then you may want to opt for milder products such as a sulphate-free shampoo followed up by a silicone-free conditioner. Your scalp is just like your skin, and you cleanse your face every day, so there is no harm in washing your hair every day if that’s what it needs.

All of weDo/’s shampoos are sulphate-free and are designed to be mild and gentle to the hair and scalp. The low-foaming liquid shampoos are suitable for daily use if you need to wash your hair more frequently. If you’re not on the daily schedule, we recommend washing the hair twice to obtain a thorough cleanse. You could also try our No Plastic Shampoo – it gives a light caring effect and cleanses the hair and scalp efficiently. Even better, it’s in the form of a shampoo bar, making it great for the environment and easy to pack on your travels.

 

Learn more about our products that are all approved by the Vegan Society and Cruelty-Free certified, and discover more tips and advice for all types of hair concerns on our weBlog.

Keep in touch with weDo/ by following us on Instagram and TikTok for advice on sustainable beauty, tips on how to use our products and overall joy.

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