Debunking the myth: you need to wash your hair daily (spoiler: you don’t)
Why Daily Washing Isn’t Always Best
Some of us are already in a rhythm of not washing our hair every day, but we understand it can be a hard habit to break. Who doesn’t love the feeling of freshly washed, freshly styled hair? + If you work out or are breaking a sweat, it can be the only way you feel like your hair is presentable the next day!
But daily washing often does more harm than good:
➡️Strips Natural Oils:
Shampoo's primary function is to trap and remove oils from your hair. Daily washing can strip these essential natural oils, leading to dryness and potential damage.
➡️Increased Dryness and Breakage:
Washing too frequently can leave your hair dry and brittle. When hair is wet, it swells, making it more vulnerable to damage.
➡️Scalp Imbalance & Irritation:
Overwashing can irritate the scalp, causing dryness, itching, and flaking (dandruff). Those detergents in shampoo? They can trigger irritation and throw off your scalp’s balance.
➡️Other:
If you have color-treated hair, washing too often will cause your color to fade much faster, meaning more frequent (and pricey) salon visits.
Signs You’re Overwashing
There are clear signs you might be overwashing your hair. And while it may sound counterintuitive, your scalp can actually become more oily while your ends dry out. Overwashing might leave your scalp feeling clean at first, but it actually triggers increased oil production. The result? An oily scalp and dry, brittle ends.
Overwashing can lead to breakage and split ends. Since wet hair is more fragile, frequent washing weakens the hair shaft over time.
And from a visual standpoint? Overwashed hair often looks dull and lifeless. Those natural oils you keep washing away are exactly what give your hair that healthy shine.
Your New Wash Routine & How Often Should You Wash?
So we’ve laid it all out, washing your hair every day isn’t the best move. If skipping a wash feels impossible, don’t worry... we’ve got you.
If you still want daily washing to be a part of your routine, try swapping your shampoo and conditioner for a co-wash. Our gentle co-wash (the Bio-Cleansing Conditioner) uses Cationic Cleansers to leave your hair feeling clean, without stripping it of its natural oils. You’ll get that just-washed feeling, minus the damage.
If you’re on board with skipping daily washes, the ideal wash schedule really depends on your hair type:
For example, someone with 4C hair might only need one full wash day a month using our Anti-Residue Cleanse, while supplementing with the Bio-Cleansing Conditioner every week to maintain moisture and scalp health.
On the other hand, someone with 2B waves might wash twice a week, using the Bio-Cleansing Conditioner once, and the Anti-Residue Cleanse for a deeper clean on the other wash day.
No matter your hair type, the key is finding a routine that works with your natural oils, not against them. Overwashing can do more harm than good, but with the right products and schedule, you can keep your scalp clean, your strands hydrated, and your hair looking its best.