The concept of a “wash day” is lost on me–because, to me, every day is a wash day.
I suppose the ritual of washing my hair daily started because I had a fringe and was compounded by the fact I have fine hair. While my friends could get away with leaving their hair for a couple of days, with just a quick spray of dry shampoo at the roots, my bangs would not only soak up the sebum and oils from my scalp, but also my forehead, over which it draped.
The result, if left greasy, was an oily awning that would part in the middle like the Red Sea–far from ideal when you’re a self-conscious teenager at school.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have the luxury of not having to wash, blow-dry and style my hair every single day. It can be a right pain, and it is very time consuming.
Meet The Expert
Dr. Dilan Fernando is a hair transplant surgeon and co-founder The Treatment Rooms in London.
But even when I’ve adopted tips and tricks over the years, from washing just the fringe over the sink or clipping my hair back, I find it takes just as long to try and make it not look greasy as it would have if I’d washed the whole thing–and I just feel dirty and unclean all day.
And that’s a real bugbear of mine. I don’t understand how people who wash their hair only a handful of times a week or even less feel fresh.
If I’ve had a body shower but haven’t rinsed my hair, my scalp will feel itchy all day and I will feel as though I’ve been camping at a four-day festival. I find the whole “clean girl aesthetic” so funny, because it actually involves leaving your hair greasy and using copious amounts of gel and wax sticks for flyaways.
I also really struggle with food smells and get paranoid if I’ve been sitting in a cafe or have cooked. Maybe I’m just particularly sensitive to smells, but if I get the slightest whiff or burnt toast or coffee from my locks, I need to wash it immediately.
The whole hair washing thing has been a regular point of contention among my friendship group, also. My pals do not understand how I can wash it every day and keep it healthy, and I do not understand how some of them can leave theirs for up to a week and not feel like a gremlin.
They argue that in pre-shampoo days people just got past the greasy hair phase and eventually their bodies got used to the natural oils and things balanced out. But, to be honest, I don’t want to leave my hair that long to get to that stage. I don’t have the willpower and I am fine with that.
So, what do I do to maintain my hair?
I use non-sulphate shampoo and conditioner–and a lightweight one at that. If I use a shampoo and conditioner that’s too heavy, it will leave a residue in my fine hair and defeat the point of washing it.
I also use the Unite 7Seconds Detangler spray when I come out of the shower, lavishly spritzing it on my ends. I then use a Tangle Teezer brush to get rid of knots and work the product through my hair.
Once brushed and parted, I roughly blowdry my hair on a medium heat, using my hands to tousle my hair and help dry it quicker (while it’s fine, I have a lot of it!). When my hair is dry, I either pull it back loosely into a claw grip and massage the hair so that it’s not too tight in the grip, or I use my GHD straighteners to wave it slightly or curl the ends.
During the summertime, I will also use a scalp SPF to protect my head from UV rays and prevent burning–the only place I burn is my hairline and, let me tell you, it hurts like hell to brush it and then you end up with dandruff from the peeling. I usually buy the Malibu Scalp Protector, because it’s light, non-greasy and smells delicious.
Now, of course, I have a certain hair type and what works for me won’t necessarily work for others.
I spoke to Dr Dilan Fernando, hair transplant surgeon at The Treatment Rooms London, for more information and advice.
How often should I wash my hair?
Dr Fernando says there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to washing hair. “Most people only need to shampoo 2-3 times a week,” he says. “However, depending on your hair type, lifestyle, and environment, the number of times you wash your hair may vary. Those with oily scalps must wash their hair more often than dry ones.”
Does hair type matter?
“The curlier your hair, the more difficult it becomes for the oil to hydrate the whole hair shaft,” he adds. “As a result, curly hair types tend to be drier and would benefit from less frequent washing which would strip the natural oils keeping the hair healthy.
“Natural oils produced in your scalp can find it easier to hydrate a straighter hair shaft and therefore this hair type tends to be naturally supple and shiny. Straighter hair types can be washed more frequently without risking the hair becoming drier and dull.”
Is it bad to wash your hair every day?
“Shampooing too frequently can strip natural oils from the scalp and leave your locks feeling dry and brittle,” Dr Fernando explains. “Different climates can also influence how often you should wash your hair–in tropical climates, the humidity can lead to an increase in oil production, so more frequent washes may be necessary; however, in cold climates, the opposite is true, as oil production tends to slow down leading to less frequent washes for some people.”
What shampoo and conditioner is best?
“I’d recommend avoiding shampoos that contain sulfates, with the most common ingredient being sodium laurel sulfate. This particular ingredient strongly strips the hair of its natural oils, leading to dullness and lackluster appearance.”
The products to use in between washes to keep your hair fresh
Dr Fernando recommends the following:
- Dry shampoo: Helps to absorb oil and odors, prolonging time between washes
- Light refresh: Lightly mist hair with water and apply a bit of conditioner to revive and detangle your hair
- Leave-in conditioner: This helps to hydrate and freshen hair between washes
- Regular brushing: Brushing evenly distributes scalp oils, reducing greasiness and preserving freshness
- Essential oils: You can dilute a few drops in water and apply to hair for a fresher smell