Whether curly, straight or frizzy, hair needs special care to radiate and breathe health. Among the beauty rituals, washing the hair remains essential. However, the frequency of the latter differs depending on the nature of the hair. Response from the experts.
Wash your hair every day, two or three times a week, less, more … The adequate frequency to wash your hair and take care of it varies according to the hair material, there are no strict rules, such as ‘explains Angela Lamb, assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.
How often should you wash your hair?
Hair produces a natural oil called sebum which helps to hydrate and protect it. Shampoo as an emulsifier helps capture and remove excess oil and dirt. Except that washing too often can make the hair dry and brittle. Specialist Angela Lamb explains that how often you wash your hair depends on a number of factors.
Thus, for a person with normal hair, ie which is neither too dry nor too oily, washing the hair every two to three times a week would be the norm. After washing your hair, a moisturizing conditioner should not be too much to give it shine and keep it healthy.
Dry hair produces less sebum and does not require regular washing. Once a week may be enough. However, this type of hair needs to be constantly nourished and hydrated with nourishing and strengthening masks. In this regard, Vanessa Giani, head of the Training Center Jean-Louis David, explains that dry hair lacks hydration and recommends washing it with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner based on essential fatty acids and to supplement with nourishing leave-in balms or nourishing hair oil. A repair mask applied once a week would be a must for shiny, deeply nourished hair.
People with oily hair, those with thin hair, those who exercise a lot and who sweat can wash their hair regularly. In this case, it is best to use gentle products so as not to irritate the scalp. Vanessa Giani recommends herbal hair products that contain zinc pyrithione, an agent with antifungal and antibacterial properties.
In addition, a dry shampoo can be an alternative to space the hair washes. Indeed, the latter is always the last minute solution to save our hair. Composed of oat, rice or corn starch powder, it helps absorb excess sebum and gives our mane a little freshness while waiting for the next wash.
Frizzy hair, on the other hand, produces less sebum like dry hair. In the case of this type of hair, washing once or twice a week is sufficient but using specific care products. The application of a nourishing mask based on avocado or coconut oil is essential for this type of mane.
The principle of hair washing
The shampoo will wash the hair and remove all dust and grease residue. This is done using the surfactants in the shampoo. In the presence of these, the water and the fat mix together to form bubbles which capture the fatty substances, which are therefore eliminated during the rinsing.
What are the right things to do to have healthy, healthy hair?
Before shampooing, it is important to follow certain steps to gain shiny and fortified hair.
Therefore, before going in the shower, it is important to untangle your hair with a brush in order to untie any knots you are likely to have. If disentangling is difficult to perform, do not hesitate to use a care product so as not to break them during brushing. In this case, the product differs depending on the nature of the hair. For normal hair, it is advisable to use a detangling spray. For dry hair, a nourishing conditioner will be required to deeply hydrate it while detangling it. For oily hair, it is advisable to detangle it gently, avoiding stimulating the production of sebum with a non-aggressive care product.
Once in the shower, use a small amount of shampoo; a small dab is sufficient. Start by lathering it between your fingers and then soak it into your scalp and hairline with gentle massages in circular motions. This is where the sebum and dust collects. You also don’t need to insist on the ends, since the shampoo that runs on the hair when rinsing is enough to clean it. Make sure to rinse your hair well to remove all residue.
After the shower, style your hair gently, avoiding pulling on it so as not to break the fiber which may be fragile in the hot water. Instead of rubbing them with a towel, dab them instead so you don’t create split ends. On the other hand, if you prefer to use a hair dryer, first apply a special care product to protect them.
In summary, the main keys to remember about washing hair are:
- The hydration of the hair, which differs depending on whether it is oily, dry or normal, at the risk of worsening their condition;
- The frequency of washing depends on the nature of the hair;
- In order not to attack the hair, do not use a very large amount of shampoo when washing.
How to choose your hair beauty products?
When it comes to hair care, Sébastien Maurizio, Dessange color trainer, advises to be attentive to the needs of your hair and its nature. For hair that greases quickly, it is best to opt for a mild, clay-based cleansing treatment. For dry hair, a nourishing shampoo will be the most suitable. On the other hand, the specialist advises against silicone-based products and any substance that is not natural at the risk of suffocating the hair fiber from the inside.
How to maintain your hair naturally?
Do you have brittle, fragile or dull hair? Know that it is possible to remedy this with natural and effective tips. Some conventional cosmetic products may contain chemicals that harm the hair. What if you switched to organic and ecological products to have a beautiful mane?
-Beer yeast
Taken in tablets, capsules or powder mixed with food, brewer’s yeast contains vitamin B8, essential for the revitalization and fortification of the hair. It also helps promote keratin synthesis and make hair grow faster.
-The aloe vera
This plant is often mistakenly thought to be beneficial only for the skin. However, it is also effective for the health of the hair. It is therefore possible to use it as a conditioner by applying a dab of aloe vera gel to the lengths and rinsing off with water afterwards.
-Oil baths
Olive, argan or castor oil, oil baths can be used as a mask to hydrate and strengthen hair, especially when hair is damaged by coloring. The list of natural ingredients depending on the type of hair is long. For example, for dry hair, a mask of egg yolk and olive oil to apply to the hairline and lengths for 1 hour, will nourish them and give them shine and flexibility.
Other tips for beautiful hair
- The cold water at the end of the shower remains invigorating for both the body and the hair. It reactivates the scalp’s blood microcirculation and reduces the risk of hair loss. A cold water rinse will therefore be welcome!
- Protect hair from the harmful heat of dryers and straighteners. It is best to let your hair air dry. In the event that it is impossible to leave your mane natural, it is essential to protect the hair before starting a blow-dry. Coconut oil can be an alternative to conventional protective care products. Thanks to its thick consistency and its ability to increase hair moisture, it protects the hair fiber.
- Brush your hair with a boar bristle brush which nourishes the hair thanks to the sebum which spreads over the lengths. On the other hand, the brushing technique is just as important in order not to break the hair. It is advisable for this purpose to start with the ends towards the scalp to disentangle them very gently.
