Should You Wash Your Natural Hair More Often?
- Nike Anderson
- Apr 5, 2016
- 3 min read
For many women with afro textured hair, frequent hair washing is frowned upon. This is because our hair loses moisture quickly after washing, due to the extended time it takes natural oils to travel down our curly strands. It’s common in the natural hair community to cleanse our hair bi-weekly, sometimes even monthly. While this practice isn't recommended by dermatologists and other licensed professionals, some naturals have seemingly experienced little to no problems with hair health. But for many, scalp issues may emerge that sometimes go undetected until its too late. Here’s seven reasons you may want to consider washing your natural hair more frequently.
1. To prevent buildup of harmful bacteria. Many forget that the scalp is skin, too. Like skin, the scalp has the important job of covering your body with protective cells. This function is crucial for flushing out sweat, waste, and other pollutants. Unlike the rest of our body, which is cleansed on the daily basis, the scalp often gets neglected. The waste that builds up on the scalp then creates a breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria and other serious conditions.
2. To keep your pores from clogging. Clogged pores make for an unhealthy scalp, which directly affects the overall appearance of the hair. Like skin, the scalp has three layers that work to keep the body healthy; the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. However, the epidermis receives the most abuse because it’s the outermost layer of the skin. Since the epidermis serves as the base from which the hair emerges, it must be cleansed on the regular basis to prevent the mouth of the hair follicle from becoming clogged and polluted.
3. To limit the risk of epidermal damage. Many people think an itchy scalp is something ‘normal’ that results from dryness. However, while common, it’s not exactly normal. An itchy scalp, caused by infrequent washing, is your body’s way of telling you that your scalp needs to be cleansed and moisturized. Furthermore, scratching or rubbing a dry scalp can puncture the skin or thin out the epidermis, causing it to lose its moisture holding and protective capabilities.
4. To prevent premature aging of the scalp. Yes, your scalp can—and will—age like the rest of your body. Sometimes your scalp can age more rapidly than the rest of your skin due to improper hair-care and infrequent washing. Premature aging of the scalp means premature aging of the hair strand. An aging hair strand is often defined as dehydrated, fragile, and thin.
5. To wash away dead skin cells. Your scalp isn’t exempt from shedding. Like other pollutants, dead skin cells also get trapped against the scalp. In fact, the average scalp experiences a buildup of dry skin after about three days. Therefore, depending on your hair’s needs, cleansing the scalp one to two times a week is ideal.
6. To promote hair growth. Research suggests that the gentle massaging that takes place while shampooing the hair can stimulate hair growth. Massaging the scalp increases blood circulation, which is crucial for bringing nutrients to the root of the hair. Massaging wet hair allows the fingers to glide gently along the scalp, reducing the risk of accidental damage or thinning of the epidermis.
7. To keep your hair moisturized. Natural hair loves water. And rightfully so, as clean water brings curls back to life. If your hair is weighed down by products, those products form a barrier that makes it difficult to re-moisturize thirsty strands. Cleansing your strands on a more frequent basis will ensure that product buildup is kept at bay, and your tresses are receiving the moisture they need.
Things to consider
• How frequently you need to cleanse your hair will depend on your daily exposure to debris, dust, and other environmental pollutants.
• Some commercial shampoos are not good for frequent cleansing. Non-sulfate shampoos are a better option as they don't dry out the hair and scalp.
• Shampoos aren’t necessary. Some naturals have great success doing frequent co-washes—that is, washing the hair with conditioner only.
• See your dermatologist if you’re concerned about the health of your scalp.
Are you convinced? Let us know your thoughts down below! For more information on aging hair, read Lisa Akbari’s Every Woman’s Guide To Beautiful Hair At Any Age.
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