How to Prolong Clean Hair

"I have to wash my hair every day because it gets so oily."

I dread hearing this sentence from guests. It is NOT necessary for your hair to be cleansed every day like your face or body does. How come? Read below to find out!

photo via freestocks.org

Why isn't it good to wash every day?

Our scalp produces natural oils to keep hair moisturized. Moisturized scalp = healthy hair = hair growth. If you wash too often, shampoo will strip the hair of oils. This can actually cause inflammation, scalp irritation, itchiness, and dandruff. Your scalp will then overproduce oil. Are you seeing the ripple effect?

For color clients, over-washing will promote color fading. You can use the best salon quality products, but if you shampoo too much you will notice a difference in your color within weeks of your salon visit.

Time to train your hair!

If you're someone who washes too often, it will take a little while to break the habit. Start by pushing it one extra day. Once you get used to that, push it another. Fine hair can typically go 2-4 days before washing, and medium to coarse hair can be pushed 3-6 days on average.

What products should I use?

Shampoo: not all shampoos are created equally. Choose one that is free of sulfates and parabens. These are harsh detergents found in common household products like toothpaste and hand soap. Do you really want to ruin your hair investment with crappy products?

Dry shampoo: did you see my last post about product mistakes you may be using? I better explained that dry shampoo should be used within days of hair washing to beat the oil before it comes.

Extra tips:

Clean your hair brushes. To do so, first remove hair clogged in your brush. Soak in a bucket of warm water + a little bit of shampoo. Let them sit as long as you want (more than 10 minute), then scrub clean with your hands. Set aside to dry.

Stop touching your hair so much! More likely than not, your hands are not clean when you run your fingers through your hair. If it gets in your face, pull your hair back with a clip, bobby pin, or into a ponytail. Personally, I have a habit of tucking my hair behind my ear because I'm growing out my bangs. I always keep bobby pins handy!

Invest in a silk pillowcase. Cotton absorbs oil, and this is not good for your hair and skin. Silk, on the other hand, is a smooth surface that reduces frizz & friction, keeps your hair hydrated, and combats bedhead.