Beautiful and healthy hair needs to be cared for. However, if you wash your hair too often, you are more likely to damage it and your scalp.
Whether it's every morning, after exercise or just a few times a week: opinions vary widely when it comes to washing your hair. For some people, washing their hair is part of their daily routine, but it is usually not necessary. How washing too often affects your scalp and hair and how often you should actually wash it.
Washing your hair: How often is actually healthy?
For many people, washing their hair and showering every day is part of how they want to feel clean and comfortable. How often you really need to wash your hair depends on various factors. Depending on your skin type, washing is tolerated better or worse. “It is enough to plan to wash your hair every three days. Some people quickly tend to have oily scalp or breakouts on the scalp, so of course you wouldn't be able to get by with two hair washes a week," explains dermatologist Dr. Stefanie Derendorf told
Utopia.de
.
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Basically, it's enough to wash your hair twice a week. People with oily skin and therefore oily hair can wash their hair more often, but according to the experts at
Ökotest
, there should not be less than two days between washes. It is also important to rinse the shampoo thoroughly, as cosmetic residues can irritate the scalp. And also to keep an eye on the lime content and temperature of the water. Because very calcareous and hot water also dries out the hair and scalp. “Water that is too hot stresses the hair as it opens the cuticle layer. However, you can counteract this by rinsing them again with cold water at the end of the wash. This causes the cuticle to close again,” says professional hairdresser Dennis Creuzberg in a press release.
Washing your hair every day damages your scalp and hair structure
Especially with dry skin types, frequent hair washing can disrupt the scalp's natural moisture balance. If you use shampoo every day, you may be damaging your hair and scalp. Although a mild shampoo has a protective effect, daily washing causes the scalp to dry out more quickly. But there are exceptions: If you use hair gel or spray every day, you have to wash the styling products out of your hair in the evening. Otherwise the hair roots could stick together, says Creuzberg.
In addition to lifestyle, styling, individual habits and skin type, the hair structure also plays an important role when washing. Depending on the hair type, a few steps should be followed:
Hair that gets greasy quickly: Oily hair can be washed more often. Dry shampoo can help bind the oil and hide the stringy hair.
Dry hair: If your hair is brittle, split ends quickly become noticeable. Constantly washing your hair can strip the scalp of its natural oils. Conditioners help condition the ends and retain moisture in the ends.
Fine hair: Washing too frequently is particularly damaging to thin hair. However, since the hair structure is very fine, they quickly appear greasy. Fine hair should therefore be washed about every other day.
Curly hair: Curly hair also dries out quickly. Mild shampoos and washing your hair once or twice a week are sufficient for most curly haired people.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.