How Often Should I wash My Hair

The million-dollar question of how often you should wash your hair rages on. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. You’ve probably heard that it’s best to wash your hair as infrequently as possible, but that’s not entirely true. When you go without washing your scalp for too long you can get a build-up of sebum (an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands), hair product residue, and dead skin cells. While products like dry shampoo can reduce scalp oil, you should still wash your hair regularly for optimal scalp and hair health.

Every scalp and hair type is different, thinner strands that are prone to oil, may want a daily wash, while thicker, denser strands can withstand a weekly or twice weekly wash.​

As a guide, we’ve put together some tips on frequency of hair washing for different hair types.

1. Thinner Strands - Wash Every Second Day

The annoying thing about having a thinner strand of hair is that it shows oil more than other hair types, which means that even if your hair isn’t that dirty, it will still show the oil. You may be tempted to wash it daily but be careful of stripping your hair of moisture. Try washing every other day with your favourite TRESemme shampoo.

2. Thick Hair - Wash Twice Weekly

Denser hair follicles tend to disguise oil better than thinner hair, so you can get away with washing twice a week. If you’re prone to product build-up or an itchy scalp, use a TRESemmé shampoo and conditioner that will condition your hair without adding heavy build-up, such as TRESemme Botanic Moisture & Replenish Cleansing Conditioner.

3. Wavy Hair Or Loose Curls - Wash Two to Three Times A Week

Waves and looser curls can get weighed down by the oils in shampoos, especially if your strand is not as thick. To keep your curls voluminous and defined, and to add moisture, wash two to three times per week - TRESemmé Moisture & Replenish Cleansing conditioner will help to keep your curls in optimal condition.

Natural Hair Tips

According to All Things Hair, you should only be washing your natural hair once every two weeks, unless you feel your hair is in desperate need of a wash. But do remember to keep the following in mind:

•  Moisture Is Important

Hydrated hair is at the foundation of maintaining and attaining healthier strands. Moisturised strands allow for softer hair, improved manageability, and hair that is less prone to breaking off.

•  Conditioner Is Essential

Conditioning helps to hydrate and nourish your hair. It also aids in better moisture retentions and can help to strengthen your hair. Incorporating a weekly conditioning hair treatment into your regimen is an essential step for healthy hair. Use TRESemmé Cleanse & Replenish Conditioner to gently condition.

• Get Regular Trims

Getting routine trims helps to maintain healthy strands. Trims get rid of split ends and help to prevent them from travelling up the hair shaft.

• Indulge In Routine Scalp Massages

Hair growth starts at the roots, so it is essential to maintain good scalp health to allow for unrestricted growth and good hair health. One way to do so is with routine scalp massages. Simply use your fingertips, with or without an oil applied, and gently yet firmly massage.

• Wash Hair In Sections

When washing hair in the sink or shower, as we flip our hair over, the strands easily intertwine and become tangled. To prevent prolonged detangling time, try to wash your hair in sections, or chunky twists to limit the strands from locking with each other.

• Avoid Overtight Hairstyles

Hairstyles that are too tightly pulled back – box braids, buns, etc. cause tension and stress on your scalp and edges. Next time you are in your hairstylist’s chair, speak up if they are braiding too tight. Also, try not to wear pulled back buns and puffs too frequently, as they can produce the same thinning effect at the hairline, edges, and nape from the pulling.

It is important not to compare your hair or style to others. Each person’s head of hair is different – in texture, length, density, etc. The way one person’s hair reacts to a product or turns out in a certain style may not be the same for you. It is a matter of learning what works best for your hair and embracing all aspects. TRESemmé’s Cleanse & Replenish range of shampoos and conditioners is perfect for all hair types.