How to wash your hair properly: ideal frequency and impact on hair microbiome
Washing hair is a daily habit we often do without much thought. But did you know there are some essential rules to follow? Your hair washing frequency depends directly on your hair type and scalp health. Plus, the act of washing impacts your hair microbiome, a community of microorganisms essential to scalp balance. Explore Cair’s advice to wash your hair properly and keep it healthy.
Understanding your hair type needs
Ideal washing frequency primarily depends on your hair type and your scalp's sebum production. Certain hair types require frequent washes, while others benefit from spacing out washes to avoid dryness.
When to wash dry, curly, or textured hair
Dry hair lacks hydration and sebum, often leading to a rough or brittle texture. This occurs because your scalp’s sebaceous glands produce less sebum, making it hard for the natural protective layer to spread along the lengths. To avoid further dehydration, limit shampooing to 1–2 times per week and adopt a full hydrating hair routine.
Curly and textured hair tends to be drier because sebum finds it harder to travel along the spiral-shaped strands. This makes it more vulnerable to damage and breakage if washed too frequently. Washing once a week or every 7–10 days is recommended, depending on your lifestyle (pollution, sport). Some highly curly or coily hair types can even extend this interval. Like dry hair, use hydrating shampoos with natural oils and apply a moisturizing mask regularly for deep nourishment.
Dry and Curly Hair Care Routine:
Step 1 : Apply the Cair hydrating mask before shampooing. With its collagen, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin B, and fatty acid-rich oils, it nourishes hair deeply. These ingredients work on the keratin structure for intense regeneration.
Step 2 : Use a gentle, hydrating shampoo suited to your hair type. Our hyaluronic acid shampoo locks in moisture within hair fibers, even in dry conditions. With a formula of 92% natural ingredients, free from silicones and sulfates, it respects your scalp and hair.
Step 3 : Finish with a detangling mist to create a protective layer around the hair fiber, shielding it from external stress. Made with rice water, it strengthens fragile hair and provides extra hydration.
How to care for oily hair
Oily hair results from excess sebum production, making roots feel heavy and greasy quickly. Many with oily hair feel compelled to wash their hair daily to remove this excess oil. However, washing too frequently can worsen the condition. Washing every 2–3 days, depending on oiliness, with gentle hair products is recommended to avoid over-stimulating sebum production. The more you space out your washes, the more your scalp will adjust to produce less sebum.
Tip 1: Choose the right hairstyle
Spacing out washes can be challenging with oily hair. A practical solution? Opt for a slicked-back style, both practical and trendy. For easy slicking, replace gel or hairspray with a treatment that hydrates and fortifies. Cair's strengthening serum, rich in rice water and hyaluronic acid, is ideal for this method, detoxifying the scalp and strengthening hair all day. Avoid doing this hairstyle too often or pulling too tightly to prevent traction alopecia.
Tip 2: Sebum detox
A sebum detox means going without hair washing for an extended period, allowing your scalp to naturally regulate sebum production. A 2-week to 1-month detox can help restore hair microbiome balance.
Tip 3: Rinse with cold water
After two shampoo washes – the first to clean thoroughly, the second to cleanse – rinse with cold water. Cold water prevents over-stimulating the sebaceous glands that produce sebum. Additionally, it closes cuticles, helping hair stay smooth and shiny.
How often should you wash normal hair?
Neither too dry nor too oily, this hair type retains a natural balance, staying shiny and supple. To maintain this, washing 2–3 times a week is generally recommended, depending on lifestyle (exposure to pollution, exercise, etc.). Use gentle, hydrating shampoos, and remember to apply a strengthening mist to the lengths to avoid drying out the ends.
How does washing affect the hair microbiome?
Aggressive shampoos can disrupt the microbiome, and preserving microbiome diversity is crucial to avoiding irritation and dandruff.
Frequent washing often leads to irritation, split ends, and dry, dull hair. Dehydrated lengths and ends can also worsen split ends.
To protect your microbiome, use gentle, natural hair products and space out washes to allow your scalp to breathe.