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We all know someone who washes her hair everyday, or you may be that girl. You know the woman who shampoos her hair every time she steps in the shower. If that’s you–or one of your friends–we’re here to inform you that you may be doing more harm than good.
We know there’s no handbook to tell you how often to wash your locks, and that’s why it was another one of Google’s top-searched beauty questions of 2014. After some research, we’ve come to the conclusion that no one needs to wash their hair every day. That’s right no one.
Nick Arrojo, owner of New York’s Arrojo Studio and former stylist on TLC‘s reality makeover show What Not to Wear, told WebMD.com, “I hear so many people obsess about shampooing their hair every day. They get freaked out because they think anything less will result in dirty, smelly hair. But shampooing three or four times a week is plenty.”
Yep, 3-4 times a week depending on how thick, or thin, your hair is. As a rule of thumb (or strand, in this case) keep these tips in mind:
- Different ethnicities, hair types and textures will determine your wash frequency.
- Longer, thicker, curlier and more processed hair can go longer (3-5 days) between washes.
- Fine hair may get limp the day after a wash so every 2-3 days is OK.
- Daily styling can stress hair. So unless you have hair you can wash and go with, don’t wash every day.
- If your hair produces incredibly high amounts of oil on the scalp, daily shampoos can be done. But remember your hair needs some naturally-produced oils, or sebum, to be healthy.
- Some shampoos can strip necessary sebum and nutrients from your hair, and it can actually lead to scalp irritation.
- Instead of daily shampooing, try talcum powder or dry shampoo in between washes.
- If you must wash often, switch to a non-foaming, sulfate-free shampoo. The bubbles are cute, but they could be damaging your hair.
- Try going natural with a cleanser made from baking soda and a raw egg, Then rinse well with lemon juice.
- Getting rid of all your scalp’s naturally-produced oils can actually cause your body to produce more to make up for the amount you’re washing away.
Paradi Mirmirani, MD, a dermatologist and specialist in hair research, told WebMD, “Hair is a fiber. Think of a wool fiber: The more you wash it, the worse it’s going to look.”
For more beauty tips, check out: how to get rid of acne, how to get a smaller waist and what to do if you have under-eye bags
[Photo: Shutterstock]
