How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

Our hair is as unique as we are. Here's a quick look at the different types and how they handle moisture:

• Straight Hair: This type tends to get oily quickly because the scalp’s natural oils (sebum) can easily travel down the hair shaft. If your hair goes limp and greasy within a day or two, this is likely your hair type.
• Wavy Hair: Wavy hair is a middle ground between straight and curly. It usually needs a balance of moisture but can also get frizzy or oily depending on the environment and products used.
• Curly Hair: Curly hair needs more hydration because the natural oils have a harder time navigating the twists and turns. This type often struggles with dryness and frizz.
• Coily Hair: Coily or kinky hair is prone to dryness and breakage. It requires the most moisture to stay healthy and can go the longest between washes without looking oily.

Just like hair, scalp types vary too, and they influence how often you should wash your hair:

• Oily Scalp: If your scalp feels greasy a day after washing, you probably have an oily scalp. Frequent washing can help control the excess sebum.
• Dry Scalp: A dry scalp can be itchy and flaky. Washing less often helps to preserve the natural oils.
• Normal Scalp: A normal scalp doesn't get too oily or too dry. You have the luxury of a more flexible washing schedule.
• Combination Scalp: This type can be tricky. Some areas might be oily while others are dry, so a customized routine is key.

• Straight Hair: Every 2-3 days. Since straight hair gets oily fast, washing every couple of days usually works best.
• Wavy Hair: Every 3-4 days. Wavy hair can balance oil and dryness better, so it can go a bit longer without washing.
• Curly Hair: Every 4-5 days. Curly hair benefits from the natural oils, so less frequent washing helps keep it hydrated.
• Coily Hair: Every 5-7 days. Coily hair holds moisture the best, so it can go the longest without washing.

• Oily Scalp: More frequent washing is usually necessary to keep oil under control. Use a sulfate and paraben-free shampoo to avoid drying out your scalp and overproducing sebum. HairSmart Root Scalp Hair Therapy shampoo with ginger, amla, and neem cleanses the oily scalp without stripping it of its natural moisture. It contains a special plant hormone called Anantmool, which also restores a healthy pH balance.
• Dry Scalp: Washing less often can help retain moisture. HairSmart Balancing Shampoo and its restorative conditioner will provide the moisture your hair and scalp need without dragging your hair down. Its Ayurvedic formula, based on the balancing act of amla, neem, and anantmool, ensures your scalp balances excessive dryness or oiliness.
• Normal Scalp: Stick to a moderate washing frequency that feels right for you.
• Combination Scalp: A personalized routine, possibly using different products for different areas, is the best approach.

• Active Lifestyle: If you exercise frequently and sweat a lot, you might need to wash your hair more often.
• Exposure to Pollution: Living in a polluted area can lead to dirt and grime on your scalp, which may require more frequent washing.
• Use of Styling Products: Regular use of gels, sprays, and other products can cause buildup, making more frequent washing necessary.

• Color Treatments: Dyed hair often needs gentle care and less frequent washing to prevent color fading. HairSmart's gentle sulfate and paraben-free shampoo helps keep the colors rich longer while providing much-needed moisture and soothing dry, irritated scalps. Conditioning your hair after washing is even more important if you have color-treated hair to prevent it from drying out and looking dull, damaged, flat, and brittle.
• Heat Styling: Frequent use of heat tools can dry out your hair, suggesting you wash it less often to avoid further dryness. Using a conditioner after washing provides a protective layer between your hair and the heat.
• Chemical Treatments: Treatments like perming or relaxing can change your hair’s moisture needs, often requiring specialized products and a tailored washing schedule. The HairSmart Ayurvedic Therapy oil helps reverse the damaging impacts of chemical treatments on your hair and can be used as a daily or weekly massage, both as a leave-in or rinse-out oil depending on your hair and scalp condition and needs.

• Dryness and Brittleness: If your hair feels dry and breaks easily, you might be washing it too much. If this is happening, reduce washing frequency and condition your hair aggressively after every wash with HairSmart Restorative Conditioner, applying from tips to roots but avoiding the scalp.
• Scalp Irritation: An itchy, flaky scalp can be a sign of over-washing, as you might be stripping away too many natural oils. Incorporate a weekly hair and scalp oil massage with HairSmart Ayurvedic Therapy oil. For deep nourishment, to treat hair breakage and damage, and to remedy brittleness, warm up the Ayurvedic therapy oil and rub it into your scalp and hair. For best results, leave overnight and wash off with HairSmart shampoo.

• Greasiness and Oil Buildup: If your hair feels greasy and heavy, you might not be washing it enough. Use a gentle paraben and sulfate-free shampoo, massage well into the scalp, and leave it on for 2-3 minutes to get all the grease out.
• Itchiness and Odor: Unwashed hair can start to itch and smell unpleasant due to oil and sweat buildup.
• Product Residue Accumulation: If you notice a lot of buildup from styling products, it might be time to wash your hair more frequently.

According to Dr. Hootan Zandifar, celebrity Hair Loss Restoration Surgeon: 

• Use shampoos and conditioners tailored to your hair type and scalp condition: For instance, opt for balancing and therapeutic products like HairSmart's RSH shampoo, which is perfect for dry or oily scalp and works well for both straight and curly hair. Its balancing formula with ingredients such as anantmool balances the hair and scalp pH, while neem, ginger, and amla clean, invigorate, and moisturize in that order.
• Avoid overly hot water when washing your hair, as it can strip away natural oils: The best temperature is when the water is not too hot nor too cold.
• Avoid using dry shampoo as it contains harmful chemicals: Try vigorous hair brushing instead to improve blood circulation, break the sebum, and get some volume.
• Consider using the HairSmart Restorative Conditioner: This is especially beneficial if you have a dry scalp, curly hair, coily hair, or use heat, colors, or chemicals in your hair.
• A daily or weekly hair and scalp oiling ritual will go a long way: This helps recover damaged, dull, brittle, breaking hair and prevents hair loss, premature graying, and split ends. Use the HairSmart Ayurvedic Therapy oil as a leave-in moisturizer if you have a dry, itchy, flaky scalp or curly, coily hair needing extra moisture. For normal hair and scalp, use it as a rinse-out oil massage.

• Tailor Your Routine: Customize your hair washing routine based on your specific hair and scalp needs. Try different frequencies and products to find what works best for you.
• Use the Right Products: Choose shampoos, conditioners, and treatments designed for your hair type and scalp condition. For example, look for hydrating ingredients in HairSmart's products if you have dry hair or clarifying agents if you have an oily scalp.