How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

Frequent hair washing is important to keep hair fresh, clean and healthy. But how much is too often? And what happens if you wash your hair too much or not enough? This blog by our head of education Laura Elliott answers all these questions to help you ensure you’re giving your hair the care it deserves.

When does your hair need washing?

For most people, washing your hair every other day or every two to three days is fine! But this isn’t always the case as hair type, oiliness, itchiness and flaking of the scalp, and lifestyle can all impact how much you wash your hair. Below, we’ve listed our hair washing advice for each of these factors:

The type of hair you have can impact how often you should wash your hair. Thicker hair may need to be washed a lot less frequently than thin hair, which can sometimes need cleansing every day. This is because thin hair is much more prone to greasiness, whereas thick hair can usually go longer between washes. For more information on how to care for your hair type, read our blog: How to Choose the Best Shampoo for Your Hair Type

Hair that is more prone to excess oil often requires some extra TLC. This means that washing more often may be necessary! Natural oil is good for your hair, but letting this build up can cause hair to look and feel greasy. To ensure you’re keeping your hair as healthy as possible, we’d recommend using a hair treatment every other wash. Massage this through the hair for a few minutes, focussing on the mids and ends of the hair. Browse our solution: HARMONY Intensive Care Treatment

If your scalp is dry and flaky to touch, your hair may need washing every one to two days. Leaving your hair too long between washes can make this condition worse, as dead cells can multiply and visibly appear in your locks. As dryness can impact your hair, we’d recommend using a nourishing hair mask every other wash. Apply a small amount to the mids of your hair, leave on for 10 minutes then rinse. View our product: HYDRATE Moisture Hair Mask

There are various lifestyle factors that can impact how often you wash your hair. For example, if you are an avid swimmer then you will need to get the chlorine out of your hair afterwards, which may mean washing your hair more. In the same way, if you frequently go to the gym for an intense workout, you may wash your hair after. You might also find that you wash your hair more on holiday in hot countries or in summer, removing suncream that may have come into contact with your hair. For more advice on looking after your hair abroad, read our blog: Holiday Hair Care Tips

What happens if you wash your hair every day?

Do you wash your hair every day? As mentioned above, there are a few reasons why you might need to wash your hair every day. However, if none of these reasons apply to you then over-washing can damage your hair. Washing your hair too much can lead to faster colour fade, dull looking locks, dehydrated ends and excess frizz. Read on as we explore these factors in more detail.

Cleansing your hair too much can cause hair colour to wash out of your hair. This is because warm water causes the cuticle to open and lift, letting the colour bleed out. This can be partially prevented by washing hair with cool water, but this can be a problem in colder months! If you have lighter hair, cleansing with purple shampoo can protect, strengthen and enhance your colour. Simply massage from root to tip, leave in hair for a couple of minutes and then rinse. See our product: BLONDE Purple Brightening Shampoo

Too much natural oil can make your hair greasy, but not enough can make it dull! Over-washing your hair can remove these oils, ridding your hair of its natural shine. This makes your locks look muted and lacklustre, bringing down your overall look. We would recommend using products such as shine sprays to add a glossy sheen to your hair, leaving it gleaming. When your hair is dry, just spray evenly all over. Learn more: GLOW Super Shine Spray

3. Dry ends
If you’ve noticed lots of split ends in your locks, you probably have dry hair. This is another result of moisture being stripped from the hair due to over-washing. Dryness can give hair a straw-like texture, giving the appearance of being worn out. Choose a specialist shampoo for dry hair to revitalise and nourish your locks. Just massage through wet hair, rinse and repeat the process. View our solution: HYDRATE Moisture Shampoo

4. Frizz

Washing your hair too much is a leading cause of frizz. Frizz happens when your hair is dehydrated, so it can seem confusing that it can be caused by over-washing with water! But this is another result of the balance of natural oils being disrupted. Although these oils can’t be replaced, some bottled hair oils can leave hair looking smooth and healthy. Apply a small amount to clean, damp hair, or use on dry hair to complete a style. Find out more: VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil

What happens if you don’t wash your hair enough?

Skipped a wash day? You’ll probably be fine! But if you leave your hair very long periods without a cleanse, the results can be greasy, smelly locks and even hair loss. Below we’ve looked into some of these issues further:

Leaving your hair for too long between washes can cause your natural oils to build up. This means that hair can become greasy and oily, appearing limp and lank. To further prevent this, we would recommend using a dry shampoo between washes to give hair a refresh. Simply shake well, hold 20-30cm away from the hair and spray in sections. For added dimension and volume, try our product: TEXTURE Dry Texture & Finishing Spray

2. Odour

No one wants foul smelling hair! Over time, the mass of oil and dead skin cells can start to produce an odour. This takes a toll on your personal hygiene, as well as making you feel self-conscious. To keep your hair smelling nice all the time, be sure to stay on top of your washes and consider a hair fragrance. This can be spritzed all over the hair, staying with you for hours on end. Our AURA product uses a beautiful blend of orange blossom, white thyme, lily and vanilla. Find out more: AURA Hair & Body Fragrance

3. Hair loss

In extreme circumstances lack of hair washing can result in hair loss. This can be caused by matting of the hair, which occurs when your locks aren’t cared for. The main way to deal with matting is by cutting out the hair. In other cases, hair follicles can become blocked by the excess natural oils, causing hair to fall out. Ensure that you wash your hair frequently, but also consider using a dry shampoo between washes. Our product absorbs excess oils when left in the hair for two minutes after spraying evenly onto the hair. Learn more: Dry Shampoo

Now you know all about washing your hair, it’s time to grab the right products! View our full range: Shampoo & Conditioner