When it comes to personal beauty habits and processes, we’re true believers in doing whatever works best for you. But some may argue that there are hard fast rules about hair care routines if you want to maintain a healthy hair.
For those with natural hair, the hair washing process, namely the frequency of hair washing, has been a highly debated subject for years. Should you wash your natural hair every week or every two weeks? What about if you’re wearing a protective style? The questions are vast and valid. So we tapped Dr. Michelle Henry, board-certified dermatologist and L’Oréal Paris consulting expert to shed some light on how often one should wash their natural hair.
When Should You Wash Natural Hair?
While it’s a common belief that it’s better to wait longer to wash when you have natural hair, some influencers and brands have touted the benefits of washing natural hair more often. But Henry says there is a thing as too often — you have to find balance.
“Regardless of any hair type, washing every day is not good,” she says. “It can dry out your hair and also, in some cases, create overproduction of sebum and cause oily hair. A general rule of thumb is to wash every other day.”
Your hair type will also play a role in how frequently you wash it. We know that amongst the natural hair community there are several different curl patterns, textures and porosities. Not all curls and coils are created equal. Your hair can be curly but fine, just as your hair can be thick but low porosity. How often you’re washing it should be based on how much your hair needs it and can handle it.
Henry offered some general guidelines to follow when you’re still figuring out your routine. “For all hair, fine to medium hair [should be washed] every other day,” she says. “Medium to coarse hair once every three to four days. But for curly hair, I would suggest every four days to once a week. Coarse and curly hair tends to be on the dry side so over-washing it can cause even more dryness.”
Of course, no rule has to be the standard if it doesn’t make sense for you. If you feel like your hair is greasy, smelly or full of buildup, wash it. You can always spritz it with dry shampoo.
There are also hacks you can employ if you’re not sure if your hair is due for a wash, such as washing with conditioner instead of shampoo, as Henry recommends. “Go through the same motions of shampooing but using conditioner instead,” she explains. “This will ensure you’re not over-washing and preserving your hair texture and color. This hack is great for our fitness lovers who get sweaty hair and want a little refresh.”
Via: Lorealparisusa.com
