Is there a better feeling than freshly washed hair? Probably not. But while we all love having clean hair, washing it can be a tedious and time-consuming task – more of a chore than a treat. Using lots of dry shampoo is the simplest solution to compensate for hair loss, but as it turns out, it’s not always a good idea. If you wash your hair too little, you can develop scalp problems and even start losing hair. Are you looking for signs that you’re not washing your hair enough? It’s not always easy.
How often should I wash my hair?
This depends on a few factors. If your scalp is dry and you don’t use a lot of styling products, washing your hair once a week may be enough – Julia Roberts is believed to follow this routine. However, this is not a general rule.
Is your hair styled regularly? Do you use too much dry shampoo? Do you already have dandruff? Is your scalp oily? These factors may mean that you should wash your hair more frequently, such as every two to three days. While washing your hair too often can damage your hair, washing too little can also produce less than ideal results.
5 signs you’re not washing your hair enough
It can be hard to decide how often to wash your hair. If you notice one or more of the following warning signs, experiment with how often you wash your hair. Or, if in doubt, talk to a professional dermatologist.
Here are five signs that you need to wash your hair regularly.
1. Sticky hair
The most obvious signs of unwashed hair are oily roots and thinning hair. If you don’t regularly wash the excess sebum off your scalp, your hair will become dry and heavy. For some people, this happens after just one day of washing. For others, it takes longer. By the way, oily hair not only looks good, but it can also smell – the mixture of dead skin cells and sebum on your scalp actually creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to that unpleasant “smelly head.” Yikes.
2. Formation of dandruff
It is not necessary that dandruff is caused by frequent hair washing, but our scalp is constantly producing sebum, an oily secretion that protects and moisturizes the skin and hair. If you wash your hair frequently, sebum will accumulate on your scalp.
At the same time, skin cells die and are constantly renewed. When your hair is washed frequently, these dead cells remain on the scalp for a long time, causing a build-up of dirt, oil and dead skin particles. This build-up creates an ideal environment for microorganisms to thrive, such as the yeast Malassezia that naturally lives on the scalp. This fungus can thrive due to increased sebum production and a lack of cleaning.
This is because Malassezia feeds on the fats in the sebum, and as it grows, it releases byproducts that irritate the scalp. This irritation leads to increased cell production and increased flaking of the skin, which appears as dandruff.
3. Itching on the head
An itchy scalp is not only a sign of dry hair due to infrequent hair washing, but it’s also a sign of not washing your hair enough. I know, it’s annoying! Conditioning and styling products, dirt, sweat and dead skin cells can build up on the scalp. This buildup provides an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms, such as the Malassezia yeast mentioned above, which not only promote dandruff but also produce byproducts that irritate the scalp and cause itching. Inadequate cleaning of the scalp can also lead to skin diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis, which is accompanied by itching.
4. Dull hair
Is your hair getting dull? This can be due to a build-up of styling and conditioning products that roughen the surface of your hair, making it less able to reflect light, especially if you use a lot of dry shampoo between washes. This is because the powdery particles it contains make hair look dull, but a deeply cleansing shampoo can revitalize hair, especially when combined with a shine-boosting conditioner.
5. Hair loss
Excessive hair loss can also be a sign that you are not washing your hair enough. The most common cause of hair loss is seborrheic dermatitis, which is indirectly related to infrequent shampooing. This condition is characterized by excessive sebum production and the growth of the aforementioned Malassezia yeast on the scalp.
Inadequate cleaning of the scalp can increase sebum production, promote the spread of Malassezia bacteria and cause inflammation and irritation. Chronic inflammation of the scalp can lead to hair loss, but it is worth noting that there are no reliable studies on this. Regular washing keeps your scalp healthy and free from irritation, and your hair retains its natural shine.
