Think about the way you wash your hair. There’s a chance you could be washing your hair too often, especially if you’re shampooing it on a daily basis.
And, yes, it may be tempting to shampoo and condition each morning, especially if your hair easily becomes greasy, but doing so can cause many issues — including stripping your scalp of many essential oils.
How do you know if you’re washing too often? Here are some signs that you may need to give your hair a break from shampoo.
- Dyed Hair
If you have dyed hair and your colour is fading fast, you may need to cut back on how often you wash your hair.
Make sure you are using products made specifically for colour-treated hair.
If you highlight or dye your hair, examining how long the colour stays vibrant can often show if you’re washing too much.
It’s also important to use a shampoo and conditioner made specifically for colour-treated hair.
“Wash hair about three to four times a week with the correct shampoo and a conditioner/mask made for colour-treated hair,” says Domenica “And, in between washes, refresh your hair with a dry shampoo of your choice.”
- Dry & Frizzy
Dry, frizzy hair is another sign you’re probably shampooing your hair too often. You might also want to try some moisturising hair products, too. Washing your hair too often can also impact the texture of your hair
A lack of moisture from stripping oils from your hair can also cause a dry, flaky scalp and as your scalp dries out so does your hair.
If your hair begins to lose its shine, try using moisturising styling products that may help restore the hair cuticles by making them more soft, manageable and, most important, luscious.
- Split Ends
How often you wash your hair could be negating the good effects of your haircut. If you seem to be getting more split ends than usual, this could also be a sign of over-washing. Wet hair is so extra susceptible to damage and breakage, so the more you wash it, the more opportunity it has to break. And one final thing make sure you are using the right brush for your hair.
- Shiny hair
If your hair has lost its shine, it could be that you’ve stripped away too many oils from your scalp. You might also have residue build-up from hair products. Since over-washing strips the scalps of oils, it can also make your hair appear to be less shiny.
Shiny hair = healthy hair, so if your hair has no shine, it could mean your hair is not moisturised. Shampooing will wash away your natural oils, leaving the inner layer unprotected. And using too much shampoo can cause residue build-up.
- Dandruff
If you have a lot of dandruff, it could be that over-shampooing has dried out your scalp. Excessive shampooing can dry out your scalp, resulting in dandruff. You might start to notice more dandruff in your hair if you’re washing it too often, since it occurs when your scalp gets a bit too dry and begins to flake. So minimising your shampoo sessions will help give your oil glands a chance to do its job and soothe the scalp naturally. A scalp exfoliating treatment along with a tea tree oil scalp treatment will take care of it. And make sure to continue using a dandruff shampoo until flakes clear.