Washing your hair is a different process for everyone depending on the texture of your hair and your lifestyle.
These factors can affect a vast number of things, including how often your wash day comes around and which products you use.
We all want to look after ourselves, even if we don't want to spend hours on end doing it. However, it can be difficult to understand where to start with so much conflicting advice out there, North Wales Live writes.
With that in mind, experts from Mira Showers and Chemist Click collaborated together to help you understand what you should and should not do for your hair type.
A recent study found that on average, Brits wash their hair every 2-3 days. However, experts state that this may be too often and contributing to issues such as dandruff and hair loss.
Experts also claimed that overusing hair products can dry out your hair and cause significant damage by blocking your pores and reducing the amount of natural oil produced. They also claimed shampooing too often can lead to dehydrated and brittle strands, stumping your hair growth.
Haircare experts collaborated to answer the UK’s most asked hair care questions to help you keep your luscious locks healthy. Here is what they said:
How often should women wash their hair?
With 156,000 Google searches per year, how often women should wash their hair is the most confusing topic when it comes to hair care. According to Abbas Kanani at Chemist Click you have to consider your shampoo, hair type and how oily your scalp gets to find the answer.
They said: “Most people can go 2-3 days without washing their hair, however, if your scalp produces excess oil, it may need washing every 1-2 days. Those with thinning hair or straight hair are more prone to oily hair.
“This is because thin and straight hair lack texture, allowing oil to coat hair strands. Afro hair should be washed less, around 1-2 times a week. This is because afro hair is prone to damage from drying out. Oil is required to keep hair soft and curly.
“After a workout where you have produced sweat, you should wash your hair to remain hygienic. The same applies to other physical activity that has caused your hair to become dirty. However, to avoid damage to the hair, you should avoid using shampoo with every wash and use water on its own."
How often should men wash their hair?
With 3,600 google searches per year, men are also bamboozled at how often they should be washing their hair. With additional concerns like premature hair loss, do the same rules apply to men?
According to Abbas: “2-4 times a week is what is recommended for men, however, if you are using hair products, this can clog pores and reduce the amount of oil produced. Lack of oil can dry out and damage hair.
“Shampooing hair frequently is not likely to contribute to baldness.”
How often should people with dandruff wash their hair?
Most of the time, dandruff is caused by a dry scalp and with 1,800 yearly Google searches, a lot of sufferers are looking for answers on the best ways to improve it.
Abbas said: “Frequent washing is likely to make dandruff worse. However, not washing often enough can cause scalp itchiness, which can also make dandruff worse.
“My advice would be to use a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo 2-3 times a week and rinse your hair with water 2-3 days a week to get rid of the flakes.”
How often should people trying to grow their hair wash it?
How often people trying to grow their hair should wash it is the most common concern for those interested in hair growth.
Abbas puts the myth to bed, revealing: “The frequency that you wash hair is unlikely to have an impact on your hair growth. The only added benefit is the heat drawn to the head, which can help to stimulate growth from follicles, but this can be done without a shower.”
However, despite this, excessive shampooing can cause dehydration and lead to breakage in your hair.
Abbas suggests “investing in a hypoallergenic or natural shampoo, and a shower filter (to reduce the chlorine levels in the water)". They added: "You should massage your scalp frequently, use a gentle comb to do this, and avoid heat from straighteners and hair dryers, as this can also damage hair follicles.”
What water is the best for hair care, hard or soft?
It’s not only how frequently we wash our hair that can have an impact but also the type and quality of the water we’re using. Hard water does not have any serious effects on your body, but it does have an effect on your hair.
This is because the minerals which are found in hard water will mix with shampoo to form a salt. This will leave a residue on the surface of your hair that can block moisturisers in your conditioner from being absorbed. This can contribute to dry skin and hair, and an itchy scalp, leaving hair prone to tangles and vulnerable to breakage, which may eventually result in thinning hair.
According to Abbas: “Harsh chemicals from certain shampoos and water may cause hair damage that can contribute to poor hair growth.”
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