Washing Your Hair: How Often is Needed to Maintain Healthy Hair

Featured Image Caption: Tips Maintain Healthy Hair

No matter how often you wash your hair, but it is obvious that you want to keep your hair healthy and maintaining its volume at the same time. But, the major question that arises in your mind is how often it is okay to wash your hair? Isn’t it?According to Dr Sama Rais, It is preferable not to shampoo every day, as shampoos have harsh chemicals that can wash away the essential oils from the scalp resulting in over drying of your scalp. It is suggested to wash your hair thrice a week depending upon your hair texture. If you perspire, try to pour plain water on your hair. In case of excessive perspiration, you may require washing it every day, but prefer to use mild shampoo that suits your hair. It is advised always to wash your hair before you go to bed.

Hair is a fiber. “Think of a wool fiber: The more you wash it, the worse it appears. There’s no need to wash your hair every day either.”The long, thick, curlier and more fixed hair can last long without washes. According to Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, director of ethnic skin care at the University of Miami “This is because the oils from the scalp do not reach down the hair strip as quickly, that tends it to become dry,” Daily shampooing is only necessary if oil production on the scalp is high.

Choosing a Quality Conditioner for your Scalp

It is very crucial to choose a good conditioner if you’re going no shampoo.

Here is what you should look for on the label:

Emollients:

Emollients is effective in softening, smoothing and giving shine to your hair. It can be either natural emollients in the form of vegetable oils and nut butters. Glycerides and liposomes are widely used emollients.

Proteins:

Proteins temporarily “repair” the hair and protect it.  Examples of proteins include silk, wheat, soy, keratin or individual amino acids.

Humectants:

Humectants absorb water and hold moisture. They are effective in a conditioner applied for curly hair. Vegetable glycerin, Panthenol, sorbitol and honey are just a few humectants that you can look on the label. Moisturizers generally soften and control to curly hair. Amino acids and Aloe Vera are two great moisturizers.

Preferred Duration for Washing your Hair

Overcoming Dandruff Issues:

Dandruff and an itchy scalp is probably one of the biggest and most common problem faced by your hair. Oily dandruff is considered dangerous as its engulfs away the pigment of your hair, while dry dandruff falls off. The former outbreak to numerous problems like pigmentation as well as pimples, as dandruff on the scalp restricts blood circulation. If you have oily skin, just use lighter oil, like olive oil, and massage it for at least 15 minutes, give hot towel treatment, then wash it off. Home-based treatments include applying ginger juice on the scalp. Leave it overnight and wash it off. Washing your hair every alternate day with a mild, anti-dandruff shampoo is also effective.

Using Genna, a Myth:

Henna makes the hair more permeable causing hair brittle. You can use a good conditioner instead which comprise of sunscreen or even a hair serum.”

How to use Hair Serums:

Hair serums improve the smoothness of the hair and detangle it, leaving it softer. They are perfect for dry and frizzy hair. Its excessive usage can give an oily look your hair. So, take only a few drops on the fingertips and apply on the hair, not scalp. Look for products that have argan oil as well as those with walnut and almond oil. Avoid those that contains silicon. After you have used a hair serum, avoid using a spray after that.

Avoid wrapping your scalp in sweat. Sweat contains lactic acid which can results in hair loss. It also contains Dihydrotestosterone, a sex hormone which can cause calcification in scalp which basically restricts the blood flow to the hair follicles, ultimately starving to death. Skin sebum is your hair’s natural conditioner. It protects your hair and makes it shiny. Over washing can reduce the sebum of your hair thus, making it dry and unhealthy. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate in shampoo is considered to be the harmful chemicals that may cause hair and scalp problems. While purchasing shampoos, consider switching to SLS free.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Hair:

Trim away damaged ends of the hair, especially if they are frizzy. Make sure that you wear a hat, scarf or peak cap but not too tight in order to protect hair from getting damaged through UV rays exposure. Use a hair sunscreen if you are heading out between 11am and 4 pm. Always apply a minimal amount of conditioner on the hair before you go swimming.

How to Co-Wash

• After wetting your hair thoroughly, pour a small amount of conditioner on your palm. Using your fingertips pads, apply to one area of your scalp and massage well.
• Repeat the process until you have massaged all over.
• Rinse away all the conditioner with sufficient of warm water by continuous massaging gently with your fingertips.
• Now pour more conditioner into your hand, swab your palms together and then apply along the hair length.
• Detangle either with your finger tips or very wide toothed comb.

Paying attention on the advice in this article, it is suggested to wash your hair depending upon the situation. The process will keep your scalp clean and will maintain healthy hair growth.